Telehealth versus face-to-face delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Abstract
ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis compared the effectiveness of the delivery of care to patients with insomnia via telehealth to its delivery face-to-face.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to 11 January 2023, and conducted a citation analysis on 13 June 2023. No language restrictions were imposed. We included randomised controlled trials. Where feasible, mean differences were calculated; we used a random effects model.ResultsFour trials (239 patients) were included. There were no significant differences between telehealth and face-to-face for insomnia severity scores shortly post-intervention (MD 1.13, 95% CI -0.29-2.55) or at 3 months (mean difference (MD) 1.79, 95% CI -0.01-3.59). There were no differences in Short Form-36 physical and mental scores, Work and Social Adjustment scores, and sleep quality components. Depression scores did not differ post-intervention or at 3 months (MD 0.42, 95% CI -2.42-3.26). Functioning likewise did not differ post-intervention or at 3 months (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.15, 95% CI -0.37-0.67, P = 0.58). Treatment satisfaction did not differ (one trial) or favoured the face-to-face group (one trial).ConclusionsTelehealth may be a viable alternative to the face-to-face provision of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia to patients with insomnia. However, the volume of the existing evidence is limited, therefore additional trials are needed, evaluating cognitive behavioural t…
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Telemedicine and insomnia: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
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Digital therapeutics for insomnia: an umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis
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The impact of telehealth care on escalation to emergency care: A systematic review and meta-analysis
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“Evidence for feasibility and acceptability of remote and in-person ACT interventions has been generated in the USA and Europe (Ate fi et al., 2024; Ferreira et al., 2023; Scott et al., 2023).”
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“[34] This finding suggests that video-based applications may be not only technically feasible but also a clinically effective intervention tool.”
- Authors
- Scott, A. M., Peiris, R., Atkins, T., Cardona, M., Greenwood, H., Clark, J., & Glasziou, P.
- Affiliations
- Bond University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Scott, Anna Mae
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2023-10-13
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 603-614
- ISSN
- 1357-633X (ISSN-L)
- 1758-1109
- OpenAlex
- W4387599462
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 0.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Bond University Research Portal (Bond University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Department of Health, Canberra, Australia (Not applicable)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, telemedicine, face-to-face delivery, insomnia, treatment effectiveness, sleep quality, depression, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, remote therapy
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Telemedicine
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