Telehealth Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Co‐Occurring Insomnia and Depression Symptoms in Older Adults. Issue 10 (22nd August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lichstein, Kenneth L.; Scogin, Forrest; Thomas, S. Justin; DiNapoli, Elizabeth A.; Dillon, Haley R.; McFadden, Anna
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 69:Issue 10(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1056
• Page End: 1065
• Publication Date: 2013-08-22
• Subjects: Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jclp22030-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Telehealth has proven effective with a wide range of disorders, but there is a paucity of data on the use of telehealth using cognitive‐behavior therapy (CBT) with late‐life insomnia and depression. This pilot study was designed to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of using telehealth to treat older adults with comorbid insomnia and depression living in rural Alabama.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22030-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Five patients received 10 sessions of CBT for insomnia and depression. Patients were engaged in treatment via Skype from their primary care physician's office. Assessments were conducted at baseline, posttreatment, and 2‐month follow‐up.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22030-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Patients exhibited clinically significant improvement in both insomnia (sleep diaries and Insomnia Severity Index) and depression (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression) at posttreatment, and these gains were well maintained at 2‐month follow‐up.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22030-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>These preliminary data suggest that telehealth may be an effective means of providing treatment to older adults, including underserved populations.</p> </sec> </abstract>