Brief Versus Standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Veterans

Description

Insomnia is a common condition in Veterans, with prevalence rates as high as 53% among treatment-seeking Veterans. Chronic untreated insomnia is associated with increased risk for functional impairment, psychiatric illness, suicidal ideation, unhealthy lifestyles, and decreased quality of life. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is recognized as the first-line treatment for insomnia. Despite its proven efficacy, CBT-I is not always readily provided and/or accessible to Veterans. To address these limitations, behavioral sleep medicine specialists have endeavored to streamline CBT-I through development of time-shortened variations of CBT-I. Although these modifications show promise for advancing care and access, studies comparing brief treatments to standard CBT-I have yet to be performed. This investigation will therefore compare a 4-session brief CBT-I to VA standard 6-session CBT-I to evaluate whether a brief intervention can provide comparable benefits to sleep, functional, and psychiatric outcomes in Veterans with insomnia.

Conditions

Insomnia

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Insomnia is a common condition in Veterans, with prevalence rates as high as 53% among treatment-seeking Veterans. Chronic untreated insomnia is associated with increased risk for functional impairment, psychiatric illness, suicidal ideation, unhealthy lifestyles, and decreased quality of life. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is recognized as the first-line treatment for insomnia. Despite its proven efficacy, CBT-I is not always readily provided and/or accessible to Veterans. To address these limitations, behavioral sleep medicine specialists have endeavored to streamline CBT-I through development of time-shortened variations of CBT-I. Although these modifications show promise for advancing care and access, studies comparing brief treatments to standard CBT-I have yet to be performed. This investigation will therefore compare a 4-session brief CBT-I to VA standard 6-session CBT-I to evaluate whether a brief intervention can provide comparable benefits to sleep, functional, and psychiatric outcomes in Veterans with insomnia.

A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Brief and Standard Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies for Insomnia in Veterans

Brief Versus Standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Veterans

Condition
Insomnia
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

San Diego

VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, San Diego, California, United States, 92161-0002

Canandaigua

VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System, Canandaigua, NY, Canandaigua, New York, United States, 14424-1159

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. A diagnosis of insomnia as classified by the (a) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM 5) which includes daytime impairment in functioning for \> 3 months and occurring at least 3 nights per week and (b) subjective sleep disturbance defined by an Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score \>7 at intake
  • 2. Meets current DSM 5 criteria for a comorbid mental health disorder
  • 3. No formal therapist guided treatment with brief or standard Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia within the past 2 years
  • 4. on stable medication regimen for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment in study.
  • 1. History of a acute or unstable neurological disorder(s), dementia, or premorbid IQ \<70
  • 2. Schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, and/or bipolar disorder
  • 3. Suicidality more than "medium risk" as determined by the VA Comprehensive Suicide Risk Assessment
  • 4. Sleep disturbances other than insomnia (e.g., untreated obstructive sleep apnea, periodic limb movements, narcolepsy, and/or circadian-based sleep disruptions)
  • 5. alcohol and/or substance use disorder for 90 days prior to intake, but past history of alcohol and/or substance use is not exclusionary.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Henry J. Orff, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

Study Record Dates

2026-10-31