Effects of an Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Program on Work Productivity: A Secondary Analysis

Background Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) may improve productivity along with insomnia symptoms, but the long-term duration of productivity gains is unknown. Purpose In this secondary analysis, effects of Internet-delivered CBT-I on work-related and daily activity productivity were examined through 1 year post-treatment. Methods Adults with chronic insomnia (N = 303) were randomized to Internet-delivered CBT-I (Sleep Healthy Using the Internet [SHUTi]) or to patient education (PE). Participants reported interference with attendance (absenteeism) and productivity (presenteeism) at paid employment and in daily activities outside work on the Work Productivity Activity Impairment scale at baseline, 9 weeks later for postintervention assessment (post-assessment), and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Results Participants randomized to SHUTi were about 50% less likely than those in the PE condition to report any absenteeism (logistic regression odds ratio [OR] = 0.48 [95% confidence intervals {CI} = 0.24,0.96]), total impairment (OR = 0.52 [95% CI = 0.29,0.93]), or activity impairment (OR = 0.50 [95% CI = 0.30,0.85]) at post-assessment; however, differences were not detected at 6- or 12-month follow-ups. SHUTi participants also reported lower overall levels of presenteeism (constrained longitudinal data analysis M-Diff = -6.84 [95% CI = -11.53, -2.15]), total impairment (M-Diff = -7.62 [95% CI = -12.50, -2.73]), and activity impairment (M-Diff = -7.47 [95% CI = -12.68, -2.26]) at post-assessment relative to PE participants. Differences were sustained at 6-month follow-up for presenteeism (M-Diff = -5.02 [95% CI = -9.94, -0.10]) and total impairment (M-Diff = -5.78 [95% CI = -10.91, -0.65]). No differences were detected by 12-month follow-up. Conclusions Findings suggest that Internet-based CBT-I may help accelerate improvement in work-related and daily activity impairment corroborating prior research, but did not find that CBT-I has persistent, long-term benefits in productivity relative to basic insomnia education.