In a first of its kind, a randomised controlled trial (RCT) has shown that for people suffering with both anxiety and insomnia, THIS WAY UP’s online Insomnia treatment Program is more effective and efficient in reducing symptoms of insomnia, compared to the anxiety treatment, and equally effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety at the end of treatment. The insomnia treatment also increases total sleep time by 58 minutes per night.

The RACGP and Australian Psychological Society have both recognised the role of online treatment programs in providing cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) particularly for those with limited access to face-to-face care in rural and geographically dispersed areas.

The study highlights the importance of prioritising sleep to support mental health. Ultimately this is a hopeful message because insomnia is easily treated in-house in primary care and can improve other facets of mental health.

The findings of this study have important public health implications given that stigma is a key barrier to accessing treatment for anxiety and that individuals appear to be much more willing to access treatment for sleep difficulties than for anxiety.

THIS WAY UP’s portfolio of work with rural and remote clinicians and consumers and consumers demonstrates that its programs are appropriate and acceptable in rural and regional communities.
Online treatment programs like THIS WAY UP have gained recognition as scalable, cost-effective options in the management of insomnia. In the UK, the NHS now recommends GPs prescribe online treatment programs as a first-line insomnia treatment, over sleeping pills.

THIS WAY UP’s Insomnia Program was developed by experts at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney’s Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression’s (CRUfAD). The program uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (or CBT) to teach proven strategies for tackling the symptoms of insomnia and improve sleep.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Insomnia can be effectively treated in-house by a range of health professionals in primary care.
2. Clinicians are key to the integration of online interventions.
3. Evidence-based online insomnia treatments can improve access to timely care in geographically dispersed areas.