Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy improves insomnia symptoms in individuals with recurrent depression: secondary analyses from a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) improved symptoms of insomnia in individuals with recurrent depression.
Results Summary
MBCT significantly reduced insomnia severity, sleep onset problems, and nocturnal awakenings compared to controls, but did not affect early morning awakening, daytime impairment, or dissatisfaction with sleep. The results suggest MBCT improves certain insomnia symptoms, though additional sleep-specific interventions may be needed.
Population
Remitted participants with at least three prior episodes of depression (74.5% female, mean age 40.7 ± 12.9 years).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | insomnia symptoms | remitted participants with at least three prior episodes of depression | - | significantly less severe | #1 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | prolonged sleep onset | remitted participants with at least three prior episodes of depression | - | less problems with | #2 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | nocturnal awakenings | remitted participants with at least three prior episodes of depression | - | less problems with | #3 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | no change | early morning awakening | remitted participants with at least three prior episodes of depression | - | No group differences were found on | #4 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | no change | daytime impairment | remitted participants with at least three prior episodes of depression | - | No group differences were found on | #5 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | no change | dissatisfaction with sleep | remitted participants with at least three prior episodes of depression | - | No group differences were found on | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Embedded within a randomized efficacy trial, the present study aimed to investigate whether mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for recurrent depression improved symptoms of insomnia. METHODS: Sixty-eight remitted participants with at least three prior episodes of depression were randomized to 8 weeks of MBCT (n = 33) or a waitlist control condition (n = 35). The Bergen Insomnia Scale was used to screen for insomnia symptoms before and after the intervention. The analyses were conducted using one-way between-groups analyses of covariance. RESULTS: Twenty-five MBCT participants and 30 waitlist controls completed the study (74.5% females; mean age 40.7 ± 12.9 years). At baseline, 83.6% screened positive for the insomnia diagnosis. Following the intervention and after controlling for corresponding insomnia parameters at baseline, MBCT completers reported significantly less severe insomnia symptoms (p = 0.017), as well as less problems with prolonged sleep onset (p = 0.047) and nocturnal awakenings (p = 0.023), relative to controls. No group differences were found on early morning awakening, daytime impairment, or dissatisfaction with sleep. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MBCT improves certain insomnia symptoms. However, additional sleep-specific interventions may be needed to further improve this population's sleep.Clinical Trial Registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN18001392, registered 22/11/2018. URL: 10.1186/ISRCTN18001392.