RESUMO
Background: Sleep disturbance is a common complaint of patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy [MMT]. There are limited studies about the effect of different treatments on insomnia due to MMT. In this study, we evaluated the effect of cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia [CBTI] on sleep disorders in patients undergoing MMT
Methods: Twenty-two patients with insomnia due to MMT [aged 18-60 years] participated in this randomized double-blind clinical trial. The intervention group received CBTI from a clinical psychologist for 8 weeks, whereas the control group received behavioral placebo therapy [BPT]. The duration of individual sessions was 45 minutes, which was conducted once a week. The primary outcome was sleep disturbance assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19
Results: Eleven patients were assigned to each group. Two groups were matched according to demographic characteristics [age, marital status, education, and daily methadone doses]. Although PSQI score was significantly reduced during weeks 5 and 8 after both interventions, there was a significant difference in intervention versus time interaction [P<0.02]. The effects of CBTI versus placebo were significantly different [P<0.001]. The time course was also significant [P<0.001]
Conclusion: This study showed that CBTI is more effective than BPT in overall sleep quality. We recommend further studies, with a larger sample, on CBTI in patients undergoing MMT