Analysis of the Improvement Sequence in Insomnia Symptoms and Factors Influencing the Treatment Outcomes of Smartphone-Delivered CBT in Patients with Insomnia Disorder

Background: The effectiveness of medication combined with smartphone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been well verified, but there are few studies on the sequence of remission of insomnia symptoms. This study aims to understand the sequence of symptom improvement and the factors influencing the treatment effectiveness in patients with insomnia.
Methods: Smartphone-delivered CBT, as a form of Online CBT, allows for training through mobile devices at any time and place. We utilized the Good Sleep 365 app to conduct a survey, involving 2820 patients who met the baseline inclusion criteria. These patients were assessed using a general demographic questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate general demographic information and insomnia symptoms, and subsequently underwent CBT training using the Good Sleep 365 app. A total of 1179 patients completed follow-ups at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks.
Results: At 4 weeks and 8 weeks, the descending order of the reduction rates of PSQI components (excluding component 6: use of sleeping medication) was: sleep latency, subjective sleep quality, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, sleep maintenance, and daytime dysfunction. At 16 weeks and 24 weeks, the descending order was subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction, sleep maintenance, and sleep disturbance. There were significant differences in the reduction rates of PSQI components (excluding component 6: use of sleeping medication) both at the same follow-up times and at different follow-up times (all P< 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that patients older than 30 years and those with a college degree or above had better treatment outcomes, whereas those with a disease duration of more than three years had worse outcomes.
Conclusion: The sequence of symptom improvement in patients with insomnia changes over time, and age, educational level, and duration of disease are factors influencing treatment outcomes.