E-Sleep: The Internet Provides Help For Insomniacs

Posted on August 12, 2009 in Consumer Goods, Health & Medicine, Technology

America has the largest number of insomniacs in the world; over 10% of adults in the US report trouble sleeping. It is such a widespread problem that there are not enough treatment programs to help everyone. But now a good night’s sleep could be just a mouse click away.

Two new studies, from the University of Virginia and the University of Manitoba, showed that online treatment programs can provide substantial relief to chronic insomniacs. Both programs used many of the same methods as face-to-face insomnia treatment centers.

Patients entered their sleep habits in daily sleep journals, and learned how to consolidate their sleep time. They were encouraged to change their thoughts about sleep using interactive media, videos, and animation. Instead of tossing and turning in bed for hours, they were told to get out of bed if they couldn’t sleep, and to counter the feelings of anxiety related to insomnia.

The Virginia program, called SHUTi, ran for nine weeks. Patients reported the amount of time that they spent sleeping relative to the amount of time they spent in bed improved by 16%, and that the amount of time spent awake at night decreased by 55%. The Manitoba program also showed significant change, with 35% of the participants reporting that their sleep was “much improved” or “very much improved.”

While some doctors are still skeptical, saying that one cannot treat the deeper psychological roots of insomnia over the internet, the results are impressive and participants appreciated the flexibility and convenience of accessing help from their own homes.