Intraindividual Variability in Sleep and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults

Intraindividual Variability in Sleep and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults

The proposed study will examine changes in older insomniacs' cognitive functioning following behavioral treatment for insomnia using a combination of two methods. A traditional repeated measures design will be used to look at group level differences based on performance on a neuropsychological battery administered prior to, immediately after, and 3 months after completing a 4 week behavioral treatment program for insomnia. This data will be analyzed using standard repeated measures analytic techniques. A time-series design will also be used to look at within-subject differences based on a brief cognitive battery that will be self-administered on a daily basis. Data from this daily battery will be examined using intraindividual variability modeling.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >65 years
• Community dwelling
• Available for duration of study
• Insomnia according to American Sleep Disorders Association (1990) criteria: (a) >30 minutes of unwanted awake time, 3 nights per week for at least 6 months and (b) Daytime dysfunction (reported mood, cognitive, social, or occupational impairment)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age less than 65
• history of primary sleep disorder (e.g., sleep apnea, narcolepsy)
• history of stroke
• major medical illness known to contribute to sleep problems in last 12 months
• cognitive impairment that interferes with ability to understand treatment (score <23 on Mini-Mental State Examination)