Management of Sleep Disorders – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Abstract

Insomnia is a common complaint in the general population. Hypnotics are the most common treatment for insomnia, despite some unwanted effects such as tolerance and dependence. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) was shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic insomnia. Recent studies comparing CBT-I treatment with hypnotics further demonstrated that the CBT-I treatment was at least as effective as hypnotics during acute treatment, and may be more effective than medication during long-term follow-ups. This chapter describes the role of neurophysiological and psychological factors in the regulation and dysregulation of sleep. Further, the rationales and procedures of CBT-I are introduced. Lastly, the application of CBT-I with modern information technologies is discussed.