Behavioral Sleep Medicine Approaches for Insomnia in Older Adults

CONFERENCE REPORTER

Behavioral therapies and behavioral sleep medicine are important parts of the treatment armamentarium for sleep disorders, particularly insomnia. Jesse Cook, PhD, a clinical psychologist and sleep researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, shared his thoughts on the best strategies for targeting sleep.

He emphasizes the importance of personalized strategies beyond basic sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a consistent wake time and staying active during the day. While these changes may not immediately improve sleep, they can have long-term benefits. Personalized strategies that go beyond basic sleep hygiene are critical, as patients feel lost.

Cook also highlights the role of cognitive beliefs about sleep and introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a growing approach that focuses on psychological flexibility and a nonjudgmental attitude towards sleep. He notes a shift in prioritizing sleep health over the past decade. Cook mentions that some people are overly focused on controlling and perfecting their sleep, which can be counterproductive; ACT offers an alternative approach that emphasizes acceptance and committed action, helping individuals find a balance with their sleep.

Dr Cook is a postdoctoral fellow with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on the intersection of sleep and mental health, with his primary program of research purposed to advance the classification, assessment, and treatment of unexplained hypersomnolence. He has additional research interests related to the strengths, limitations, and overall utility of wearable sleep tracking technology for research and clinical purposes, as well as the roles of sleep and circadian health in the performance and well-being of athletes.