Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in inpatient psychiatric care: a systematic review

J Sleep Res. 2023 Dec;32(6):e14041. doi: 10.1111/jsr.14041. Epub 2023 Sep 19.

Abstract

Insomnia is highly prevalent among patients with psychiatric disorders. According to current guidelines, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) represents the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, also for patients with psychiatric comorbidity. While recent studies have demonstrated that CBT-I not only improves insomnia but also other health outcomes in patients with psychiatric disorders and comorbid insomnia in outpatient settings, the level of implementation and treatment potential of CBT-I in inpatient psychiatry is less clear. The objective of this systematic review is to present and discuss studies that have adapted CBT-I for inpatient psychiatric care. PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and PsycINFO, were searched until June 2023. A total of 10 studies were identified, with the majority being non-randomised trials without comparison groups and small sample sizes. With preliminary character, studies report feasibility and potential efficacy in inpatient settings. Together, this review identifies a paucity of studies on CBT-I or derivates in inpatient psychiatry. Despite challenging in this setting, studies adapting CBT-I to the needs of severely ill patients and hospital settings might have the potential to improve mental health care.

Keywords: CBT-I; inpatient; insomnia; psychiatry.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Inpatients
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

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