Treatment modalities for insomnia in adults aged 55 and older: A systematic review of literature from 2018 to 2023

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Current Sleep Medicine Reports

Publisher

Springer

School

Centre for Research in Aged Care

RAS ID

69834

Funders

National Institute of Health / National Institute for Nursing Research / National Institute on Aging / Alzheimer’s Association / BrightFocus Foundation

Comments

McPhillips, M. V., Petrovsky, D. V., Lorenz, R., Lee, J., George, T., Smyth, A., . . . Brewster, G. S. (2024). Treatment modalities for insomnia in adults aged 55 and older: A systematic review of literature from 2018 to 2023. Current Sleep Medicine Reports. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-024-00285-w

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder experienced by older adults. There is a wide range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options in existing literature. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize randomized controlled trials of insomnia treatment modalities for adults aged 55 and older over the last 5 years. We searched four databases, and after screening, there were 34 full-text manuscripts that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Recent Findings: We found non-pharmacological interventions, including exercise and behavioral/psychoeducational therapies, remain effective and favorable. Complementary and alternative therapies ranged across studies and warrant further testing in larger, more diverse samples. Dual orexin receptor antagonist medications were tested in a few studies with positive benefits for sleep and minimal side effects. Finally, measures of insomnia/sleep disturbance outcomes varied among the studies, with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index being used most frequently. Summary: Non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia in older adults are effective, and some newer medications may be safer, with less side effects, at managing insomnia in this population.

DOI

10.1007/s40675-024-00285-w

Access Rights

subscription content

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS