Stress, Sleep, and Allergy

Allergic diseases have recently increased dramatically in the western world, now affecting about 30% of the Swedish population. The reasons for this increase are unclear, but some of the suspects are behavioral factors, such as stress and sleep. Problems with stress are also common today, and stress may change the set-points for the functioning of the body, for instance in the immune system. Sleep, on the other hand, is important for recuperation, and disturbed sleep acts a stressor in itself. Allergic patients often report stressful situations to cause allergic symptom exacerbations, and experience increased fatigue and disturbed sleep, especially when exposed to allergen. However, most aspects of the relations between stress, sleep, and allergy are still obscure. Therefore, this thesis aimed at increasing the understanding of these links. The thesis is based on three studies. The first is a quasi-experimental study of medical students with or without atopy, who were observed at two occasions, i.e. during a calmer study period and during a potentially stressful examination period (papers I & II). Assessments included blood sampling, lung function testing, and questionnaires and diaries on allergic and psychological symptoms and sleep. The results show that both atopic and non-atopic students increased ratings of stress and negative mood, had altered sleep patterns and changes in immune parameters, e.g. a marked increase in regulatory T-cells, during examination. Atopic participants also showed specific responses to stress, such as a shift towards T-helper 2 dominance, increased anxiety and disturbed sleep. Despite these changes, allergic symptoms were not affected. Paper III is based on a prospective epidemiological study, using parent report questionnaire data on aspects of disturbed sleep and allergy from the Twin Study of Child and Adolescent Development (TCHAD). Controlling for confounding effects of several factors, including gender, birth weight, and socioeconomic status, results from this study show that being overtired in childhood (age 8-9) predicts development of rhinitis in adolescence (age 13-14), but also that having asthma in childhood is predictive of becoming overtired in adolescence. Controlling for gender only, it also replicates findings from cross sectional studies of associations between allergy and disturbed sleep. The findings from paper I-III suggest that treatment of sleeping problems that are comorbid with e.g. allergies is an important issue. Therefore, paper IV is a randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of a CBT-based self-help treatment for insomnia with comorbid problems, including allergy. Assessments with questionnaires and sleep diaries took place at pre-treatment, post-treatment and three-month follow-up. The study shows that participants in the treatment groups display much improved sleep, and that the sleep of allergic individuals improved to the same extent as that of non-allergic individuals, despite co-existing allergic symptoms. In conclusion, stress is involved in allergy relevant immune changes, and the cumulative negative effects of stress (i.e. allostatic load) seem to be increased in atopic individuals as compared to non-atopics. The results thus speak for stress as a co-factor in an allergic reaction when exposed to allergen. Aspects of disturbed sleep may be involved in the development of allergy and vice versa, but disturbed sleep, also in individuals with allergy, can be treated efficiently with a CBT-based self-help treatment. The results of the thesis confirm a link between stress, sleep, and allergy, and suggest future studies to test if successful treatment of stress and sleep may decrease symptom expression or even diminish the risk for developing allergic disease

Insomnia – A Heterogenic Disorder Often Comorbid With Psychological and Somatic Disorders and Diseases: A Narrative Review With Focus on Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges

Patients with insomnia complain of problems with sleep onset or sleep maintenance or early morning awakenings, or a combination of these, despite adequate opportunity and circumstances for sleep. In addition, to fulfill the diagnostic criteria for insomnia the complaints need to be associated with negative daytime consequences. For chronic insomnia, the symptoms are required to be present at least 3 days per week for a duration of at least 3 months. Lastly, for insomnia to be defined as a disorder, the sleep complaints and daytime symptoms should not be better explained by another sleep disorder. This criterion represents a diagnostic challenge, since patients suffering from other sleep disorders often complain of insomnia symptoms. For instance, insomnia symptoms are common in e.g., obstructive sleep apnea and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders. It may sometimes be difficult to disentangle whether the patient suffers from insomnia disorder or whether the insomnia symptoms are purely due to another sleep disorder. Furthermore, insomnia disorder may be comorbid with other sleep disorders in some patients, e.g., comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA). In addition, insomnia disorder is often comorbid with psychological or somatic disorders and diseases. Thus, a thorough assessment is necessary for correct diagnostics. For chronic insomnia disorder, treatment-of-choice is cognitive behavioral therapy, and such treatment is also effective when the insomnia disorder appears comorbid with other diagnoses. Furthermore, studies suggest that insomnia is a heterogenic disorder with many different phenotypes or subtypes. Different insomnia subtypes may respond differently to treatment, but more research on this issue is warranted. Also, the role of comorbidity on treatment outcome is understudied. This review is part of a Research Topic on insomnia launched by Frontiers and focuses on diagnostic and treatment challenges of the disorder. The review aims to stimulate to more research into the bidirectional associations and interactions between insomnia disorder and other sleep, psychological, and somatic disorders/diseases.publishedVersio

The European Academy for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia : An initiative of the European Insomnia Network to promote implementation and dissemination of treatment

Insomnia, the most prevalent sleep disorder worldwide, confers marked risks for both physical and mental health. Furthermore, insomnia is associated with considerable direct and indirect healthcare costs. Recent guidelines in the US and Europe unequivocally conclude that cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I) should be the first‐line treatment for the disorder. Current treatment approaches are in stark contrast to these clear recommendations, not least across Europe, where, if any treatment at all is delivered, hypnotic medication still is the dominant therapeutic modality. To address this situation, a Task Force of the European Sleep Research Society and the European Insomnia Network met in May 2018. The Task Force proposed establishing a European CBT‐I Academy that would enable a Europe‐wide system of standardized CBT‐I training and training centre accreditation. This article summarizes the deliberations of the Task Force concerning definition and ingredients of CBT‐I, preconditions for health professionals to teach CBT‐I, the way in which CBT‐I should be taught, who should be taught CBT‐I and to whom CBT‐I should be administered. Furthermore, diverse aspects of CBT‐I care and delivery were discussed and incorporated into a stepped‐care model for insomnia.Peer reviewe

The European Insomnia Guideline : An update on the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia 2023

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Sleep Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Sleep Research Society.Progress in the field of insomnia since 2017 necessitated this update of the European Insomnia Guideline. Recommendations for the diagnostic procedure for insomnia and its comorbidities are: clinical interview (encompassing sleep and medical history); the use of sleep questionnaires and diaries (and physical examination and additional measures where indicated) (A). Actigraphy is not recommended for the routine evaluation of insomnia (C), but may be useful for differential-diagnostic purposes (A). Polysomnography should be used to evaluate other sleep disorders if suspected (i.e. periodic limb movement disorder, sleep-related breathing disorders, etc.), treatment-resistant insomnia (A) and for other indications (B). Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia is recommended as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in adults of any age (including patients with comorbidities), either applied in-person or digitally (A). When cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia is not sufficiently effective, a pharmacological intervention can be offered (A). Benzodiazepines (A), benzodiazepine receptor agonists (A), daridorexant (A) and low-dose sedating antidepressants (B) can be used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (≤ 4 weeks). Longer-term treatment with these substances may be initiated in some cases, considering advantages and disadvantages (B). Orexin receptor antagonists can be used for periods of up to 3 months or longer in some cases (A). Prolonged-release melatonin can be used for up to 3 months in patients ≥ 55 years (B). Antihistaminergic drugs, antipsychotics, fast-release melatonin, ramelteon and phytotherapeutics are not recommended for insomnia treatment (A). Light therapy and exercise interventions may be useful as adjunct therapies to cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (B).Peer reviewe

Insomnia – A Heterogenic Disorder Often Comorbid With Psychological and Somatic Disorders and Diseases: A Narrative Review With Focus on Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges

Patients with insomnia complain of problems with sleep onset or sleep maintenance or early morning awakenings, or a combination of these, despite adequate opportunity and circumstances for sleep. In addition, to fulfill the diagnostic criteria for insomnia the complaints need to be associated with negative daytime consequences. For chronic insomnia, the symptoms are required to be present at least 3 days per week for a duration of at least 3 months. Lastly, for insomnia to be defined as a disorder, the sleep complaints and daytime symptoms should not be better explained by another sleep disorder. This criterion represents a diagnostic challenge, since patients suffering from other sleep disorders often complain of insomnia symptoms. For instance, insomnia symptoms are common in e.g., obstructive sleep apnea and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders. It may sometimes be difficult to disentangle whether the patient suffers from insomnia disorder or whether the insomnia symptoms are purely due to another sleep disorder. Furthermore, insomnia disorder may be comorbid with other sleep disorders in some patients, e.g., comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA). In addition, insomnia disorder is often comorbid with psychological or somatic disorders and diseases. Thus, a thorough assessment is necessary for correct diagnostics. For chronic insomnia disorder, treatment-of-choice is cognitive behavioral therapy, and such treatment is also effective when the insomnia disorder appears comorbid with other diagnoses. Furthermore, studies suggest that insomnia is a heterogenic disorder with many different phenotypes or subtypes. Different insomnia subtypes may respond differently to treatment, but more research on this issue is warranted. Also, the role of comorbidity on treatment outcome is understudied. This review is part of a Research Topic on insomnia launched by Frontiers and focuses on diagnostic and treatment challenges of the disorder. The review aims to stimulate to more research into the bidirectional associations and interactions between insomnia disorder and other sleep, psychological, and somatic disorders/diseases

Facilitating and hindering factors in Internet-delivered treatment for insomnia and depression

AbstractInsomnia and depression is a common and debilitating comorbidity, and treatment is usually given mainly for depression. Guided Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (ICBT-i) was, in a recent study on which this report is based, found superior to a treatment for depression (ICBT-d) for this patient group, but many patients did not reach remission.AimsTo identify facilitating and hindering factors for patients in ICBT-i and ICBT-d and formulate hypotheses for future research.MethodQualitative telephone interviews at the time of the 6-month follow-up. Thirty-five interviews were done and analyzed with a grounded theory approach. Based on the qualitative results, an iterative method-triangulation including quantitative and semi-qualitative was performed.ResultsThe interviews were coded into 738 sentences, condensed into 47 categories and finally 11 themes. Four areas were investigated further with method triangulation: Opinions about treatment, adherence, hindering symptoms and acceptance. Patients in ICBT-i were more positive regarding the treatment than patients in ICBT-d. Using treatment components was positively associated with outcome in both groups. Symptoms of insomnia, depression and other comorbidities were perceived as more hindering for ICBT-d than for ICBT-i. Acceptance of diagnose-related problems as well as negative emotions and cognitions was positively associated with outcome for ICBT-i.Proposed future research hypotheses1) A combination of CBT for insomnia and CBT for depression is more effective than only one of the treatments. 2) Additional therapist support increases outcomes for patients with more comorbidities. 3) Acceptance is a mechanism of change in CBT-i

Measuring acceptance of sleep difficulties:The development of the sleep problem acceptance questionnaire

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Acceptance may be an important therapeutic process in sleep medicine, but valid psychometric instruments measuring acceptance related to sleep difficulties are lacking. The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of acceptance in insomnia, and to examine its factor structure as well as construct validity. DESIGN: In a cross-sectional design, a principal component analysis for item reduction was conducted on a first sample (A) and a confirmatory factor analysis on a second sample (B). Construct validity was tested on a combined sample (C). SETTING: Questionnaire items were derived from a measure of acceptance in chronic pain, and data were gathered through screening or available from pretreatment assessments in four insomnia treatment trials, administered online, via bibliotherapy and in primary care. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with insomnia: 372 in sample A and 215 in sample B. Sample C (n = 820) included sample A and B with another 233 participants added. MEASURES: Construct validity was assessed through relations with established acceptance and sleep scales. RESULTS: The principal component analysis presented a two-factor solution with eight items, explaining 65.9% of the total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis supported the solution. Acceptance of sleep problems was more closely related to subjective symptoms and consequences of insomnia than to diary description of sleep, or to acceptance of general private events. CONCLUSIONS: The Sleep Problem Acceptance Questionnaire (SPAQ), containing the subscales “Activity Engagement” and “Willingness”, is a valid tool to assess acceptance of insomnia. CITATION: Bothelius K, Jernelöv S, Fredrikson M, McCracken LM, Kaldo V. Measuring acceptance of sleep difficulties: the development of the sleep problem acceptance questionnaire. SLEEP 2015;38(11):1815–1822

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia after the loss of a child to cancer: Randomized controlled trial

Bereaved individuals often experience sleep problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility and preliminary effects of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (iCBT-i) in bereaved parents. Parents were randomized to iCBT-i (n = 10) or an active control group (n = 11). Primary outcome (insomnia) and secondary outcomes (prolonged grief, depression, posttraumatic stress, and grief rumination) were assessed pre- and post-treatment, with 9- and 18-month follow-ups. Feasibility was assessed post-treatment and one month later. Most parents reported positive effects of the treatment. The intervention group improved significantly from pre- to post-treatment and had a significantly larger reduction of insomnia when analyzed over all four time-points (Wald χ2 = 30.0, p < 0.001), although the effect at post-treatment was very small (d = 0.1) for insomnia. Thus, iCBT-i was feasible and was related to reduced insomnia and psychological distress in bereaved parents, both short- and long-term, but the results regarding the treatment effect are preliminary due to the small sample size

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in adolescents with comorbid psychiatric disorders : A clinical pilot study

Background: Insomnia is common in adolescents and often comorbid with psychiatric disorders. This study evaluated changes in insomnia, sleep, and comorbid symptoms following cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in adolescents with comorbid psychiatric disorders and chronic pain. Methods: In this non-controlled clinical pilot study, participants (n = 23, 78% female) were recruited from adolescent psychiatry and pediatric pain clinics. Assessments of self-reported insomnia, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, sleep efficiency and depression, anxiety, functional disability, and pain intensity were completed at pre- and post-intervention and 3 months follow-up. Results: From pre- to post-intervention, statistically significant improvements were found for insomnia symptoms (p &lt; .001; d = 1.63), sleep onset latency (p &lt; .001; d = 1.04), wake after sleep onset (p &lt; .001; d = 0.38), total sleep time (p = .015; d = 0.22), sleep efficiency (p &lt; .001; d = 1.00), depression (p &lt; .001; d = 0.87), and anxiety (p = .001; d = 0.31). Only eight participants reported data at follow-up with maintained improvements for all measures. Conclusion: This study provides support that insomnia symptoms and sleep can improve following CBT-I delivered in a clinical setting and that co-occurring psychiatric symptoms can be reduced. The results should be interpreted with caution due to the uncontrolled conditions and limited sample size. Well-powered clinical trials are needed to validate the suggested effects