Study Finds Insomnia Relief For Elderly

Brief Psychotherapy Works Best For Long-Term Insomnia

CHICAGO, Posted 5:10 p.m. March 16, 1999 -- A study finds psychotherapy can help older people get to sleep.

The study found older insomniacs got more long-term gain from eight weeks of therapy than eight weeks of pills or a combination, reported CBS 2 News' Ann Martin.

Cognitive behavioral therapy involves both changing habits, such as spending too much time in bed. It also involves changing erroneous beliefs, such as the notion that everyone needs eight hours of sleep nightly.

The researchers at Laval University in Quebec say patients who only got drugs were sleepless again in two years.

Laval University researchers say drugs alone worked less well against insomnia.

"The hypnotic aide instead of the generally prescribed for insomnia do have some habit-forming properties to them. They may have residual affects that are things you want to try and avoid," National Center For Sleeping Disorders spokesman James Kiley told CBS News.

Compiled by IBS Staff