Exercise-based cognitive therapy as a novel treatment for insomnia and depression

TL;DRAbstract

The present study introduces a new treatment modality for comorbid insomnia and depression that combines cardiovascular exercise and elements of cognitive behavioral treatment: Exercise Based Cognitive Therapy (EBCT). While simultaneously performing moderate - high intensity cardiovascular exercise, participants were instructed to focus on problems, goals and negative automatic thoughts. The key principal of EBCT is the combination of focused problem solving with physical activity. This intervention targeted individuals in a common workplace who self identified as needing assistance with stress management. The intervention involved 12 sessions, increasing in cardiovascular intensity with each successive session. Study participants completed several psychological and sleep measures pre- and post-intervention. After three months, participants completed qualitative feedback of their overall experience. A total of 18 individuals participated in the intervention, all female, mean age 39.4 y

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