title: Non-pharmacological treatments of insomnia.
abstract: Insomnia is a prevalent and complex disorder to treat. This article reviews the prevalence, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of insomnia. With regard to treatment, there now exists an extensive literature demonstrating that compared with pharmacological treatments a range of non-pharmacological therapies are of proven clinical efficacy and durability. These include, for example, stimulus control therapy, bedtime restriction therapy, relaxation therapy, cognitive therapy and bright light therapy. These therapies are summarized and evaluated. It is recommended that therapists consider non-drug treatments based on cognitive-behavioral principles when managing a patient with insomnia.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia.
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lushington
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lack
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*