Relaxation for insomnia and hypnotic medication use in older women.
Relaxation therapy was given to 3 groups of older women (N = 57): (a) hypnotically medicated insomniacs, (b) nonhypnotically medicated insomniacs, and (c) noninsomniacs. Groups b and c were receiving antihypertensives. Self-reported sleep and medication data were collected for 1 week at pretreatment (except relaxation), posttreatment, and 6-weeks follow-up. Three relaxation sessions, a nondemanding, hybrid method, were administered with the rationale of helping insomnia or high blood pressure. Substantial sleep improvement occurred only for nonhypnotically medicated insomniacs. Substantial sleep medication reduction (47%) occurred only for hypnotically medicated insomniacs. This relaxation approach proved valuable, but the nature of the treatment effect was dependent on the medication status of the insomniac.
Lichstein
K L
KL
Department of Psychology, Memphis State University, Tennessee 38152.
Johnson
R S
RS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives