Can a single-shot therapy session cure insomnia?

Conclusion This RCT demonstrates that a single one-hour session of CBT led to remission at one-month follow-up for 60% of people with acute insomnia, compared with 15% with a waiting list control. A course of six to eight weeks of CBT is already a recommended treatment for insomnia, and the results of this study suggest promise for a briefer intervention. This may be better if it makes it more likely people will accept treatment and stick with it. Shorter sessions would also be easier to provide, as they need fewer resources. However, there are important points to bear in mind before taking this study as conclusive proof of the effectiveness of a single CBT session for insomnia: The study was small, involving only 20 people in each of the treatment and waiting list control groups. The results need to be confirmed in a much larger trial.  These were a specific group of people: young adults (average age 32) who had insomnia lasting for less than three months (mostly as the result of work or relationship stress) who were all willing to take part in the study and try CBT. They were also not taking any sleep medications. Results in this group may not apply to other types of people who have insomnia, so care should be taken when generalising to populations, such as those with chronic sleep problems and the elderly. Follow-up was only for one month. We don't know if there would be a lasting effect or whether further booster sessions would be needed to maintain eff...
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