Short-term stimulus control treatment of insomnia in older adults

A 4-week stimulus control treatment was administered in small groups to 16 ambulatory, noninstitutionalized older adults with sleep onset insomnia. Nine subjects received immediate treatment, and 7 received delayed treatment. Subjective sleep onset latency was collected at baseline, at termination of treatment, and at a 6-week follow-up. Results showed a strong treatment effect which was replicated with the delayed treatment group; both groups maintained their gains through the 6-week follow-up period. The effectiveness of these procedures with the older insomniac is especially encouraging, since it is a much safer intervention than sedative-hypnotic medications.