CBT for insomnia has been shown to combat postpartum depression and help mothers sleep better

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) during pregnancy significantly reduces postpartum depressive symptoms in mothers, new research from UBC shows.

Researchers from the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses investigated whether treating insomnia during pregnancy can alleviate symptoms of postpartum depression that many new mothers experience.

The research appears in the October issue of Journal of Affective Disorders.

“Early intervention is crucial for the mental health of infants and mothers,” said Dr. Elizabeth Keys, assistant professor at UBCO’s School of Nursing and co-author of the study. “Our research explores how addressing sleep problems, such as insomnia, can lead to better mental health outcomes for families, helping parents and their children thrive.”

The randomized controlled trial involved 62 women experiencing insomnia and evaluated the effects of a five-week CBTI intervention tailored to pregnancy. Participants were assessed for insomnia and depression symptoms before the intervention, immediately after, and six months after delivery.

The results indicate that effective treatment of insomnia during pregnancy may serve as a protective factor against postpartum depression.

Although poor sleep during and after pregnancy is common, it is often dismissed as inevitable. Dr. Keys says many parents may not realize that evidence-based treatments, such as CBTI, are available.

“Our study adds to the growing evidence that treating insomnia during pregnancy is beneficial for a variety of outcomes,” says Dr. Keys. “It’s time to explore how we can make this treatment more accessible to pregnant women across the country, with the goal of improving sleep health equity.”

This study highlights the interdisciplinary collaboration between UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, along with researchers from across Canada. Dr. Tavis Campbell and Dr. Elizabeth Keys are from UBCO’s School of Nursing, while Dr. Lianne M. Tomfohr-Madsen, a Canada Research Chair in Mental Health and Intersectionality, is based at UBC Vancouver.

Dr. Keys and Dr. Tomfohr-Madsen are principal investigators of the Sleep Equity Reimagined team at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and members of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium.