The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on Sleep Quality in Patients with Insomnia and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Due to the difficulty of treatment in patients with insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, the present study sought to investigate the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on weekly changes in sleep parameters and drowsiness in patients with moderate and severe respiratory distress.

The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the study was 100 patients with sleep apnea and insomnia at the sleep clinic in Tehran who were selected by purposive sampling. Research tools include Epworth Drowsiness Scale, polysomnography, sleep diary recording, positive airflow pressure device, and cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia. A mixed linear model was used to analyze the data.

Patientschr('39') daily drowsiness increased slightly in the first week and returned to pre-treatment levels in subsequent weeks. Patients also experienced a gradual improvement in sleep delay, the first wake-up call, improved sleep quality, bedtime, and drowsiness during the weeks of treatment.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in the presence of moderate to severe respiratory failure is a safe and effective treatment. However, it seems that patients should be closely monitored to increase daily drowsiness in the first weeks of treatment.