Ep197: Finding Effective Insomnia Treatments: Insights into BBTI with Dr. Christina Pierpaoli Parker

"We know that insomnia is the most prevalent of all sleep disorders with an estimated prevalence of 10% of the adult general population, but it is particularly overrepresented in primary care where estimates range from 15 to 20%”

Today, we're diving into the transforming world of insomnia treatment with an expert guest, Dr. Christina Pierpaoli Parker. Join us as we explore the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) and its faster alternative, Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia (BBTI). We'll uncover the challenges and solutions in making these treatments more accessible, particularly in primary care settings, and discuss the significant advancements aimed at democratizing sleep disorder care. Dr. Parker will share valuable insights into the individualized nature of sleep issues, the benefits of a stepped care model, and practical resources to guide your journey toward better sleep. Whether you're a long-time sufferer or newly experiencing insomnia, this episode is packed with information to help you navigate your sleep health more effectively.

Christina Pierpaoli Parker, PhD, DBSM is an assistant professor of clinical psychology and a board-certified behavioral sleep medicine doctor in UAB’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology. Her broad clinical research interests include developing, implementing, and evaluating brief behavioral interventions in medical settings to prevent and treat comorbid psychiatric and chronic health conditions, including depression, insomnia, and chronic pain. She serves as the Clinical Director of UAB’s Integrated Behavioral Medicine Service (iBeMS), which provides brief, evidence-based behavioral services in primary and specialty care settings through UAB’s health system. She is frequently featured in popular news media including The New York Times, CNN, and CNBC and has a weekly radio segment in Birmingham, Alabama, where she prac tices, offering evidence-based and actionable mental health tools. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Accessibility and Efficiency: BBTI is designed for primary care. It's a shorter, 4-session protocol that can be administered by non-specialists such as nurses and social workers, making it widely accessible.

  • Stepped Care Model: Start with BBTI as a first-line intervention in primary care. If symptoms persist, escalate to the more comprehensive CBTI tailored for severe cases, ensuring a flexible and adaptable approach to insomnia treatment.

  • Empowerment and Resources: Listeners are encouraged to use directories from the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine to find local providers, explore telemedicine options, and access resources like Dr. Christina’s website for insights into sleep health.

For those struggling with insomnia, remember, you're not alone. Use the available resources and take the first step towards better sleep health!

“Using a stepped care model, if after a good faith effort of BBTI, they are still symptomatic, we can then escalate their treatment into, you know, more traditional CBTI, which may be best for patients who require sort of a a higher dose of treatment."

WHAT WILL WE LEARN

00:00 CBTI effective but high dropout; needs shortening.

05:47 CBT-I effectively treats chronic insomnia symptoms.

08:58 Assess sleep impairment, distress; CBTI aids differentiation.

10:14 Consider nuanced use of hypnotic medication collaboratively.

16:23 PCPs lack sleep training; BBTI offers solutions.

18:27 BBTI: Trainable insomnia treatment focusing on stimulus control.

22:03 BBTI offers accessible, cost-effective insomnia intervention alternative.

26:55 BBTI rapidly improves sleep and reduces anxiety.

28:45 BBTI offers effective, efficient sleep improvements, similar CBTI.

34:17 Seek provider, use Behavioral Sleep Medicine directory.

37:35 Consider CBT treatment; tailored sleep solutions evolve.

Are you so sleepy that you cannot focus? Are you tired of getting through the day drinking coffee? Are you worried how your poor sleep may impact your health? Checkout Dr. Yishan Xu’s Insomnia Treatment Course! 

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If you're interested in learning more about psychological testing and the services offered at the MindBodyGarden make sure to visit their website at mindbodygarden.com/AssessmentClinic.

Yishan Xu, PhD, DBSMsleep, sleep disorder, sleep better, sleep apneaComment