Examining the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Improving Sleep Quality and Reducing Chronic Insomnia in Adults

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in improving sleep quality and reducing chronic insomnia in adults. Chronic insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders in adults, associated with consequences such as decreased quality of life, impaired concentration, increased daytime fatigue, and damage to mental health. This research is semi-experimental, employing a pre-test–post-test design with a control group and a follow-up stage. The statistical population included all adults aged ۳۰ to ۵۵ suffering from chronic insomnia who referred to psychological service centers in Tehran in ۲۰۲۴. The sampling method was convenience sampling followed by random assignment to groups. The sample size was ۳۰ individuals, randomly assigned into two groups of ۱۵ participants each (experimental and control). The experimental group underwent eight weekly ۹۰-minute sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Session content included stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive restructuring, sleep hygiene education, and relaxation exercises. Data collection tools included the Sleep Quality Questionnaire and the Insomnia Severity Index, completed at three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Data analysis was conducted using covariance analysis. The findings indicated that cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly improved sleep quality, reduced sleep latency, decreased nighttime awakenings, and lowered insomnia severity. Additionally, the follow-up results demonstrated that the effects of the therapy remained stable after the intervention. These findings suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy can be used as an effective and reliable non-pharmacological intervention in managing chronic insomnia in adults and holds a special place in therapeutic planning for sleep disorders.

کلیدواژه ها:

cognitive-behavioral therapy ، sleep quality ، chronic insomnia ، sample size ، statistical population ، adults