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A Comparison of Hypnotic and Non-hypnotic Users in the Group Therapy of Insomnia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Dilys R. Davies
Affiliation:
Central Nottinghamshire Health Authority

Extract

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a multiple treatment approach to the group treatment of hypnotic and non-hypnotic taking insomniacs. Twenty subjects sequentially assigned into four groups attended weekly group therapy over a period of 11–13 weeks. Pre- and post-treatment comparisons indicated an overall improvement of the total sample on measures of general health, benzodiazepine related symptom reduction, reduction from hypnotic sedative medication as well as on measures of the quality and quantity of sleep. Overall there was a marked similarity between hypnotic and non-hypnotic users on the measures both before and after treatment. Psychological approaches are suggested as an effective alternative to the prescription of sedative-hypnotics to both recent and chronic insomnia sufferers. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Type
Clinical Section
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1991

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