Using behavioral health consultants to treat insomnia in primary care: a clinical case series

J Clin Psychol. 2009 Mar;65(3):294-304. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20548.

Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral treatments for insomnia are as effective as medications and have longer lasting effects. The current study used a clinical case series design to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief behavioral intervention for insomnia delivered in a nonresearch, real-world family medicine clinical setting. Participants included 29 sleep-impaired patients who were seen regardless of their comorbid conditions. The treatment included three brief visits with a behavioral health consultant (BHC), plus the provision of a self-help insomnia-treatment book. At posttreatment 83% of participants achieved a mean sleep efficiency >85%, as compared to only 14% at baseline. Limited-contact behavioral treatment of insomnia delivered by BHCs within a collaborative care family medicine clinic effectively reduced symptoms of insomnia, regardless of comorbid medical diagnoses.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Family Practice
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Psychotherapy, Brief*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / physiopathology
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / psychology*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / therapy*
  • Young Adult