Reducing sleep deprivation through behavior modification: Implications for health professionals

Background/Purpose: Fifty to seventy million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disorder. People who are sleep deprived are at risk for injury, depression, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, infections, diabetes, obesity and strokes.  Approximately $100 billion dollars are spent each year on direct and indirect costs associated with sleep deprivation; $50 billion dollars are lost in productivity each year.  Sleep deprivation is a neglected determinate of health status with the potential for serious consequences. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a review of the literature exploring studies using behavior modification theory to address sleep deprivation.  Method: Search engines utilized were PubMed, CINAHL Plus and PsychInfo.  Key words included sleep deprivation, sleep hygiene, and behavior modification.  Analysis/Results: Studies utilized combinations of sleep health education, stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive therapy, and relaxation therapy. Multicomponent techniques are recommended. Conclusions: Psychological practices have used sleep hygiene instructions to demonstrate effective ways to improve sufficient sleep through behavior modification.  There is a need for greater integration of these concepts into health education and health promotion programs to reach wider populations.