Currently, cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep disorders (CBTI) is the recommended first-line treatment for sleep disorders in adults. People with sleep disorders also tend to worry about sleep and worry about the consequences of sleep disorders, a phenomenon referred to as “insomniaphobia” by Harvard sleep specialist Dr. Although cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep disorders (CBT-I) is available in integrative oncology settings, it presents unique challenges for BC survivors. A government-funded study testing the effectiveness of SHUTi in people with sleep disorders, including patients with other conditions, is currently in progress.
As an integrative oncology intervention, CBT-I is effective for reducing sleep disorders and improving sleep quality in women treated for BC, with medium to large effect sizes that persist even after the intervention is complete.
How effective is CBT for sleep disorders?
The most effective nonpharmacological treatment for chronic insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep disorders (CBT-i). Although sleep aids may be an effective short-term treatment for sleep disorders, some patients experience side effects such as amnestic episodes, cognitive impairment, and morning hangovers. Talk to your doctor or sleep doctor to see if any of these methods could improve your sleep. Sleep aids can be an effective short-term treatment; they can provide immediate relief in times of high stress or grief, for example.
The cognitive part of CBT-I teaches you to identify and change beliefs that affect your ability to sleep.