A randomized controlled pilot study of a mind-body intervention compared with treatment as usual in the management of insomnia among active duty military personnel

Abstract

IntroductionMind-Body Bridging has previously demonstrated efficacy in improving sleep in Veterans. In this prospective randomized controlled trial, we evaluated cumulative impacts of sleep-focused Mind-Body Bridging intervention compared with sleep pharmacotherapy (Zolpidem; treatment-as-usual) for improving sleep in US Army active-duty military personnel suffering from insomnia. MethodsThe Mind-Body Bridging group (n=40) attended three consecutive weekly sessions (∼2h. each), while the treatment-as-usual group (n=31) received Zolpidem for three weeks, and at each of the 3 visits attended sleep hygiene group sessions (approximately 30min each). We collected self-reported outcome measures for sleep, including Sleep Problems Index-II subscale of the Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and sleep diary outcomes, at baseline, during treatment, and 1-week and 2-month post-treatment follow-ups. Clinician-administered assessments of treatments on insomnia status were conducted at both follow-ups. ResultsBased on the Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale, Insomnia Severity Index and sleep diary, while treatment-as-usual exhibited greater reductions in insomnia during treatment, the two treatment interventions did not differ at either the 1-week or 2-month post-treatment follow-ups. Furthermore, in both treatments, approximately 50% of participants who were clinically assessed for insomnia at the post-treatment follow-ups did not require further medical consultation, indicating that Mind-Body Bridging had a clinically meaningful effect on insomnia management, as Mind-Body Bridging was comparable to the treatment-as-usual group. ConclusionsWhen pharmacotherapy may not be an ideal choice, Mind-Body Bridging may provide benefit as an intervention in the management of insomnia in active-duty military personnel suffering from insomnia.