An online program used to treat insomnia can also significantly reduce anxiety and depression with improvements persisting for at least six months, research shows.
Black Dog Institute researchers, in partnership with the Australian National University, University of Sydney, and the University of Virginia trialed SHUTi (“Sleep Healthy Using the Internet”) to see if it could reduce depression symptoms in adults and prevent escalation into major depression. The 6-week intervention combines traditional sleep hygiene tips—such as an uncluttered bed and minimizing alcohol and television—with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address the psychological underpinnings of the problem.
The program was delivered online to over 500 Australians with a further 500 Australians allocated to another online program containing information about general health.
Results, published in journal Lancet Psychiatry, found the SHUTi treatment group experienced significantly reduced insomnia, anxiety, and depression, with these improvements persisting for at least six months.
Insomnia is closely associated with many mental illnesses, both as a symptom and a potential trigger. It co-occurs most commonly in major depression with around 80% of people diagnosed with depression experiencing insomnia. Around 40% of those suffering insomnia may also have undiagnosed yet clinically significant depressive symptoms.
University of New South Wales Scientia Professor of Mental Health and Black Dog Institute Director, Helen Christensen, said there are two important conclusions to take from the results. “This is the first trial in the world to demonstrate that CBT-based insomnia treatment can also have a significant impact on the development of depression,” Christensen says in a release. “Since insomnia treatment is rarely stigmatized, this will remove a significant hurdle for those people who feel uncomfortable seeking help. It is also of significant importance for young people, who may not be able to specifically identify depression symptoms but are aware of their insomnia.
“Secondly, the success of the SHUTi program has significant implications for the clinical delivery of mental health interventions. This program had the results compared to face to face treatment but was delivered by automated software, giving us a cost-effective way for us to quickly distribute quality treatment and prevention programs across large geographic areas and to a wide range of users.“
Currently, for many people, insomnia becomes a real problem. Defective or lack of sleep leads to depletion of the body, a significant reduction in capacity, worsening of chronic diseases. Insomnia is caused by various reasons. For more info about insomnia please visit undepress.net/exploring-insomnia-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment-medication/
We are very pleased with the outcomes of The Black Dog Institute study and happy that this is generating more conversations about the effects of insomnia.
If readers are interested in a technology-based program to help improve sleep, do your research; there are far too many health apps out there with no research support behind them. If you are going to take the time to do something about your sleep, try something that works.
SHUTi (shuti.me) is backed by more than 10 years of research and successful results. Web-based solutions are a good alternative for people who can’t locate specialized in-person CBT-I providers.
I can’t sleep well, please help me.i have 3 days no sleep.
I have sleep apnea and the machine doesn’t help me sleep…I assume it keeps me breathing…also doctors who specialize in sleep problems have not helped…what is the shuti program…is it on internet
How do you get in this on line program
I like to know more about the program.