Supplements

Guided digital cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) reduces insomnia severity in adults with insomnia and co-occurring anxiety, PTSD, or BPD symptoms

In a randomized controlled trial, guided digital CBT-I produced large reductions in insomnia severity compared to a sleep diary control at posttreatment (d = -1.04) and at 8-month follow-up (d = -0.98). Small effects were observed on anxiety and BPD symptoms at posttreatment, but not on PTSD symptoms, and these effects were not sustained at follow-up.

Last updated: Aug 13, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Guided digital cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia: A (cost-)effective intervention for people with insomnia and psychological distress? Results of a randomized controlled trial.

observational

Reesen JE, Ikelaar SLC, van Keeken AE, van Trigt S, Leerssen J, Bongers RE, Hoogendoorn AW, Bosmans JE, Batelaan NM, Lancee J, Van Someren EJW · Journal of consulting and clinical psychology (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 8 months (posttreatment at 2 months, follow-up at 8 months)
Intervention: Guided digital cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
Outcome: Insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index), mental health symptoms (anxiety, PTSD, BPD), sleep diary measures, positive health, societal costs, quality-adjusted life years
Effect Size: d = -1.04 (posttreatment insomnia severity); d = -0.98 (follow-up insomnia severity); d = -0.28 (anxiety); d = -0.36 (BPD)
Population: Adults with insomnia and symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, or borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Result:

PubMed: 42574103DOI: 10.1037/ccp0001020

Mechanism Graph

CBT-I targets insomnia by restructuring sleep behaviors and thoughts
↓
Improved sleep may reduce emotional reactivity and psychological distress
↓
Reduced insomnia severity may lead to small improvements in anxiety and BPD symptoms
↓
Result: Large insomnia reduction, small transient effects on anxiety/BPD, no effect on PTSD

Limitations

  • ⚠Effects on anxiety and BPD symptoms were small and not sustained at 8-month follow-up
  • ⚠No significant effect on PTSD symptoms was found
  • ⚠Positive health changes were minimal
  • ⚠Societal cost reduction was not statistically significant

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CBT-I effective for people with PTSD?▼

In this study, CBT-I did not significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, although it did reduce insomnia severity in this population.

How long do the effects of CBT-I last?▼

The large effect on insomnia severity was maintained at 8-month follow-up, but effects on anxiety and BPD symptoms were no longer significant.

What is the cost-effectiveness of CBT-I?▼

CBT-I showed a 94% probability of being cost-effective at €450 per Insomnia Severity Index point and 71% at €20,000 per quality-adjusted life year, though it did not significantly reduce overall societal costs.

Who was included in this trial?▼

The trial included 157 adults with insomnia and symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, or borderline personality disorder.

Products

Affiliate links coming soon. We only recommend products that match the doses and forms used in the cited research.

References

  1. 1.Reesen JE, Ikelaar SLC, van Keeken AE, van Trigt S, Leerssen J, Bongers RE, Hoogendoorn AW, Bosmans JE, Batelaan NM, Lancee J, Van Someren EJW. "Guided digital cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia: A (cost-)effective intervention for people with insomnia and psychological distress? Results of a randomized controlled trial.." Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 2026. PMID: 42574103 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0001020
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.