AASM Publishes Guideline on Behavioral, Psychiatric Treatments for Insomnia

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published a guideline containing recommendations for the use of behavioral and psychiatric treatments to treat chronic insomnia disorder among adults.¹

“There have been significant advancements in behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia, which affects millions of American adults,” said Kannan Ramar, MBBS, MD, president of the AASM, in a press release.² “The AASM guideline will help optimize patient-centered care by providing actionable recommendations for clinicians and patients.”²

The recommendations include:¹

• Strong recommendation: The use of multicomponent cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is suggested for the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder among adults.
• Conditional recommendation: The use of multicomponent brief therapies for insomnia is suggested for the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder among adults.
• Conditional recommendation: The use of stimulus control as a single-component therapy is suggested for the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder among adults.
• Conditional recommendation: The use of sleep restriction therapy as a single-component therapy is suggested for the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder among adults.
• Conditional recommendation: The use of relaxation therapy as a single-component therapy is suggested for the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder among adults.
• Conditional recommendation:  The use of sleep hygiene as a single-component therapy is NOT suggested for the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder among adults.

To view the full guideline, click here.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

1. Edinger JD, Arnedt JT, Bertisch SM, et al. Behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. Published online November 9, 2020. doi:10.5664/jcsm.8986
2. New guideline supports behavioral, psychological treatments for insomnia. News release. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. December 16, 2020. Accessed December 17, 2020. https://aasm.org/new-guideline-supports-behavioral-psychological-treatments-for-insomnia/