Effect of the one-shot cognitive behavioral therapy on insomnia and heart rate variability of health care workers at the time of Covid-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objectives The emergence of sleep disturbances in response to major stressful events has been documented previously. Insomnia and Heart rate variability (HRV) is an objective marker that provides insight into autonomic nervous system dynamics. The aim of the present study was to examine the preliminary efficacy and effectiveness of a one-shot session of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) for frontline healthcare providers with acute insomnia. Methods This study was conducted from in 2020–2021 on fifty health care workers with insomnia, that were randomly allocated to receive one shot cognitive behavioral therapy or routine care. Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and HRV were assessed before and one month after the interventions. Results ISI score decreased in the intervention group (from 13.32 to 6.74, P = 0.0001). The change before and after the intervention was significant between two groups for HFnu and LF/HF.HF nu increase in the intervention group (35.8 ± 21.5 vs 45.6 ± 19.79 before and after the intervention respectively), and decrease in the control group (43.9 ± 16.46 vs 39.8 ± 18.49, before and after the intervention respectively ) Conclusion A single-shot session of CBT-I is effective in managing acute insomnia symptoms in health workers.