Using Telehealth to Deliver Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia to a Caregiver of a Person With Alzheimer's Disease

J Cogn Psychother. 2022 Feb 1;36(1):3-23. doi: 10.1891/JCPSY-D-20-00055.

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold standard treatment for insomnia. There is limited access to qualified providers to deliver CBT-I; moreover, there are patient populations who struggle with access to insomnia care due to limited time and resources. This includes caregivers for persons with Alzheimer's disease, for whom sleep disturbance is a common concern. Utilizing telehealth to deliver CBT-I may be particularly important for vulnerable populations such as caregivers of persons with dementia, as it can offer an accessible, safe, and cost-effective treatment option that can be tailored to meet the needs of a specific population. This case study illustrates the successful implementation of a four-session CBT-I protocol through telehealth with a caregiver of a person with Alzheimer's disease. Given the success of this case and the conditions for psychological care the recent pandemic has created, continued research into the efficacy of sleep-related interventions through telehealth is warranted.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01550172.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; caregiver; cognitive behavioral therapy; dementia; insomnia; telehealth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / psychology
  • Alzheimer Disease* / therapy
  • Caregivers / psychology
  • Cognition
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy* / methods
  • Humans
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders* / therapy
  • Telemedicine* / methods

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01550172