A non-inferiority randomized controlled trial comparing behavioral sleep interventions in women veterans: An examination of pain outcomes

Objective: Insomnia is known to exacerbate pain symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to compare the secondary effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) against a novel treatment for insomnia called acceptance and behavioral changes for insomnia (ABC-I) among individuals with comorbid pain. Differences in the potential mechanisms through which these treatments impact pain were also examined.Methods: Data consisted of a secondary analysis from a randomized comparative effectiveness trial of CBT-I and ABC-I among women veterans with insomnia and comorbid pain. Pain outcomes, beliefs about sleep, and psychological flexibility were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and at three-months follow-up.Results: At baseline, 93 women veterans reported comorbid insomnia and pain (mean age = 46.7; 33.3% Black, 24.7% Hispanic/Latina). Both CBT-I (n = 48) and ABC-I (n = 45) were associated with decreased pain intensity (p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.41-0.67) and pain interference (p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.71-0.77) at post-treatment and three-months follow-up, with results indicating that ABC-I was non-inferior to CBT-I for pain improvement. Both conditions were associated with greater psychological flexibility post-treatment, and CBT-I resulted in larger reductions in dysfunctional beliefs about sleep (p = .01, Cohen's d = 0.59).Conclusion: CBT-I and ABC-I both had positive secondary effects on pain with ABC-I being non-inferior to CBT-I with respect to its impact on pain. The mechanisms of change associated with these treatments may differ with CBT-I leading to greater reductions in dysfunctional beliefs. Hybrid treatments which incorporate an acceptance and commitment approach to both insomnia and pain warrant further examination.

Automated summary

This study compared the secondary effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and acceptance and behavioral changes for insomnia (ABC-I) among individuals with comorbid pain. Both treatments were found to have positive effects on pain, with ABC-I being non-inferior to CBT-I. The mechanisms of change associated with these treatments may differ, with CBT-I leading to greater reductions in dysfunctional beliefs about sleep.