One group received cognitive behavioral therapy, the second group learned progressive relaxation techniques and the third group was called the placebo group. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been used to treat people who have panic attacks and anxiety . It combines two approaches, cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. In cognitive therapy, people learn how their thinking can cause anxiety or panic or affect their sleep. The study participants who received cognitive behavioral therapy listened to an educational audiotape about sleep requirements, the effects of aging and circadian rhythms on sleep patterns and the effects of sleep loss.
Behavioral therapy is designed to change behavior.
Patients in this group set a standard wake-up time, avoided reading or watching television in the bedroom and eliminated daytime napping. The researchers found that those receiving cognitive behavioral therapy had a 54 percent reduction in time awake during the night. Those receiving relaxation therapy reduced their time awake by 16 percent, and the placebo group reduced their time awake by 12 percent. Use of this site signifies your agreement to the terms of use . A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.