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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Insomnia

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Abstract

Insomnia is a common disorder characterized by difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep and is associated with lower quality of life, neuropsychiatric disorders, and increased risk of mortality. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (e.g., CBT-I) is the most common and widely researched nonpharmacological treatment available. However, a significant proportion of individuals do not respond to CBT-I or experience incomplete symptom reduction. Theoretical considerations and preliminary empirical evidence indicate that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a promising intervention for insomnia. Skills in experiential awareness, attentional control, and acceptance acquired through MBCT training can be used to target key cognitive vulnerabilities associated with chronic insomnia. Evidence from several single arm studies and one randomized controlled trial indicates that MBCT is effective for improving sleep, particularly in individuals with symptoms of depression and a history of major depressive disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Population Health, New York University, Langone Medical Center, 227 E. 30th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10026, USA

    Amanda J. Shallcross N.D., M.P.H.

  2. Manhattan Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 276 Fifth Avenue, Suite 905, New York, NY, 10001, USA

    Pallavi D. Visvanathan Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Amanda J. Shallcross N.D., M.P.H.
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  2. Pallavi D. Visvanathan Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amanda J. Shallcross N.D., M.P.H. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The UCSF Dep.Cent.,Langley Porter Psy.In, University of California, San Franc, San Francisco, California, USA

    Stuart J. Eisendrath

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Shallcross, A.J., Visvanathan, P.D. (2016). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Insomnia. In: Eisendrath, S. (eds) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29866-5_3

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