The research we're taking a look at.
Can Treating Insomnia Prevent Depression? A study published online November 24, 2021 JAMA Psychiatry Found that it might be.
291 people affected by insomnia were included on this study. None of the participants (all aged 60 and over) had a history of major depression or any serious health problems at first of the trial.
The participants were divided into two groups. One group received two months of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), an approach that tries to alter thoughts and habits to enhance sleep. Another group spent the identical period of time receiving sleep education therapy (SET), a program geared toward changing environmental aspects and behaviors that contribute to poor sleep. The researchers then followed each groups for 3 years to find out which developed major depression.
Of the 291 individuals enrolled within the study, 19 (12.2%) within the CBT-I group and 35 (25.9%) within the SET group were diagnosed with depression. The researchers also found that more people within the CBT-I group saw lasting improvements of their insomnia than within the SET group. CBT-I participants who experienced this sustained improvement in sleep were 82.6% less prone to have depression than the remaining of the participants, including all individuals within the SET group in addition to those within the CBT-I group with insomnia. There was no lasting improvement. .
The results support using CBT-I for the treatment of insomnia and show an association between the therapy and a reduced risk of major depression.
Photo: © kbeis/Getty Images