Insomnia therapy may also ease depression, study finds
A University of Western Australia study examined cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in 88 people who had both depression and poor sleep. After a four-week program, participants reported less severe insomnia and depression, along with reduced negative thinking and more engagement in daily activities. The researchers suggest treating sleep problems alongside depression may support longer-lasting recovery.
The study, from the University of Western Australia, followed 88 adults who had both depression and sleep difficulties. Participants completed a four-week CBT-I course and were checked before it began, afterward, and three months later. The treatment combines cognitive and behavioral methods with education about sleep.
Researchers reported gains in insomnia and depression, along with less pessimistic thinking, less sleep-related worry, and greater involvement in physical or social activity. They note that roughly nine in ten people with depression also have sleep problems, and untreated insomnia can worsen depression or make relapse more likely. The authors describe CBT-I as potentially efficient in both time and cost.
If these findings hold, people with co-occurring depression and insomnia could gain a more accessible, structured option that addresses both conditions. Clinicians may consider sleep-focused treatment alongside standard depression care, potentially reducing relapse and easing demand on services. Benefits would likely depend on availability, uptake, and whether improvements persist beyond three months. The study's small sample and short follow-up mean its broader societal effect remains uncertain.