Metacognitive therapy for insomnia: A pilot study

Insomnia, also known as sleeplessness, affects many in the society and contributes to both mental and physical ill health. To treat insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as a first-line treatment. Although most people sleep better after CBT-I, there are patients who do not achieve sufficient improvement. New and innovative treatment options are needed for these individuals. In this study, we take the first step to test whether Meta Cognitive Therapy (MCT) can be such an option. 

MCT focuses on changing people's beliefs regarding worry and other types of thinking that take up a lot of time. The core principles are to let thoughts come and go, without engaging in them, and to get more involved in life outside of your thoughts. MCT has shown promising results in the treatment of anxiety, depression and other mental conditions. Initial research has indicated that metacognitive strategies may break the vicious cycle of worry and rumination, which can underlie sleep problems.

This research project, which is carried out in collaboration with the Cektos clinic in Denmark, is the first study to explore the effect of metacognitive therapy on people suffering from insomnia. The patients completed the treatment at the clinic in Copenhagen, as part of the clinic's regular treatment routines.

Project Lead: Annika Norell, Örebro Universitet and Pia Callesen, Cektos in Copenhagen, Denmark.