SELF-ADMINISTERED TREATMENT OF SLEEP ONSET INSOMNIA AND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGE

This study examined the effects of two self-administered manuals on sleep latency insomnia using self-monitored records. All subjects under 55 were randomly assigned either to: a manual on relaxation and stimulus control treatments for insomnia, a manual suggesting physical exercise and activities in bed, or a self-monitor only group. Seven subjects over 55 received the relaxation and stimulus control manual. At 4 weeks, both treated groups of young subjects improved relative to the untreated self-monitor group on sleep onset; the group receiving the stimulus control and relaxation instructions was significantly better than the self-monitor only group on rated quality of sleep. At 12 weeks, when the waiting group had received the treatment manual, there were no significant differences among young groups on any of the sleep variables. Older subjects improved significantly less than younger subjects (who received the same manual) on sleep latency. Moreover, older subjects failed to improve significantly during treatment or at follow-up. © 1979 Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy.