The role of veterans' PTSD symptoms in veteran couples' insomnia

Insomnia contributes to individual mental and physical health and relationship well-being. Veterans' PTSD symptoms are associated with their own insomnia. However, research has not explored whether and how veterans' PTSD symptoms are associated with their partners' insomnia. The present study examined the association between veterans' PTSD symptom severity and veterans' and partners' insomnia. Veterans (n = 192) and their partners (n = 192; total N = 384) completed baseline assessments in a PTSD treatment study for veterans with PTSD and their partners. Path analysis was used to examine the relation between veterans' PTSD symptom severity, as measured by the PTSD symptom checklist-5 (PCL-5) and veterans' and partners' insomnia, as measured by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Veterans' full-scale PCL-5 was positively related to veterans' and partners' insomnia. For veterans, intrusion and arousal symptoms were positively related to their own insomnia severity, while veterans' negative alterations in cognition and mood were associated with partners' insomnia severity. In exploratory analyses, partners' depressive symptoms fully mediated the relation between veterans' negative cognitions and mood and partners' insomnia. PTSD symptoms impact both veterans' and partners' insomnia. However, different PTSD symptom clusters were related to insomnia for each partner, and the link for partners was explained by their own depression symptoms. PTSD, insomnia, and integrated treatments should consider strategies for including partners in treatment to address these interconnected problems.

How are Consumer Sleep Technology Data Being Used to Deliver Behavioral Sleep Medicine Interventions? A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The rapid growth of consumer sleep technology demonstrates the population's interest in measuring sleep. However, the extent to which these devices can be used in the delivery of behavioral sleep interventions is currently unknown. The objectives of this systematic review were to evaluate the use of consumer sleep technology (wearable and mobile) in behavioral sleep medicine interventions, identify gaps in the literature and potential future directions.

METHODS

We completed a scoping review of studies conducted in adult populations that used consumer sleep tracking technology to deliver sleep-related interventions.

RESULTS

Our initial search returned 4,538 articles and 14 articles met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results demonstrated that wearable devices are being used for two main purposes: 1. To deliver treatment for insomnia and 2. Sleep monitoring as part of overall wellness programs. Half of the articles reviewed (n = 7) used consumer sleep technology in a cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. The majority of the studies reviewed (n = 10) were fully digital, without human intervention, and only two small studies evaluated interventions delivered with and without a sleep tracking device.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate opportunities to utilize consumer sleep trackers in insomnia treatment and wellness programs, but most new and innovative interventions are in the early, feasibility stages. Future research is needed to determine how to leverage wearables to improve existing behavioral sleep treatments and determine how this technology can engage patients and reduce barriers to behavioral sleep medicine interventions.