Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in inpatient psychiatric care: a systematic review

Abstract

SummaryInsomnia is highly prevalent among patients with psychiatric disorders. According to current guidelines, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I) represents the first‐line treatment for chronic insomnia, also for patients with psychiatric comorbidity. While recent studies have demonstrated that CBT‐I not only improves insomnia but also other health outcomes in patients with psychiatric disorders and comorbid insomnia in outpatient settings, the level of implementation and treatment potential of CBT‐I in inpatient psychiatry is less clear. The objective of this systematic review is to present and discuss studies that have adapted CBT‐I for inpatient psychiatric care. PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and PsycINFO, were searched until June 2023. A total of 10 studies were identified, with the majority being non‐randomised trials without comparison groups and small sample sizes. With preliminary character, studies report feasibility and potential efficacy in inpatient settings. Together, this review identifies a paucity of studies on CBT‐I or derivates in inpatient psychiatry. Despite challenging in this setting, studies adapting CBT‐I to the needs of severely ill patients and hospital settings might have the potential to improve mental health care.