Treating Depression and Anxiety with Digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia: A Real World NHS Evaluation Using Standardized Outcome Measures
Luik AI., Bostock S., Chisnall L., Kyle SD., Lidbetter N., Baldwin N., Espie CA.
<jats:p><jats:bold>Background:</jats:bold> Evidence suggests that insomnia may be an important therapeutic target to improve mental health. <jats:bold>Aims:</jats:bold> Evaluating changes in symptoms of depression and anxiety after supported digital cognitive behavioural therapy (dCBT) for insomnia delivered via a community-based provider (Self Help Manchester) of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. <jats:bold>Method:</jats:bold> Supported dCBT for insomnia was delivered to 98 clients (mean age 44.9 years, <jats:italic>SD</jats:italic> 15.2, 66% female) of Self Help Manchester. All clients received six support calls from an eTherapy coordinator to support the self-help dCBT. During these calls levels of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD-7) were determined. <jats:bold>Results:</jats:bold> Depression (<jats:italic>M</jats:italic><jats:sub>difference</jats:sub>-5.7, <jats:italic>t</jats:italic>(70) = 12.5, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> < .001) and anxiety [Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), <jats:italic>M</jats:italic><jats:sub>difference</jats:sub>-4.1, <jats:italic>t</jats:italic>(70) = 8.0, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> < .001] were reduced following supported dCBT for insomnia. This translated into an IAPT recovery rate of 68% for depression and anxiety. <jats:bold>Conclusions:</jats:bold> These results suggest that dCBT for insomnia alleviates depression and anxiety in clients presenting with mental health complaints in routine healthcare.</jats:p>