The effect of nurse-led Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia on patients with cardiovascular disease: A randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up

Abstract

Aim: To test the effect of nurse-led Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (I-CBTI), tailored for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), with a 6-month follow-up. Design: A two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NTC03938805) and reported according to the CONSORT checklist. Methods: Forty-eight patients (mean age 72 years, 65% men) diagnosed with CVD and insomnia were randomized to either 9-week nurse-led I-CBTI with support, or an Internet-based self-study programme without support (control group). Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were used as primary and secondary outcomes. Results: ISI showed a significant treatment effect of I-CBTI compared to the control group at 9-week follow-up. The mean ISI score in the I-CBTI group at 9 weeks post-treatment was maintained at the 6-month follow-up. Patients' adherence to I-CBTI was associated with a better effect on both the ISI and SF-12.