Treating Complicated Grief: Effects on Sleep Quality

Abstract

Complicated grief (CG) is characterized by recurrent distressing emotions and intrusive thoughts related to the loss of a loved one and avoidance of reminders of the deceased. Poor sleep quality characterizes CG. Cognitive–behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy reduce CG symptom severity. The effect of these treatments on sleep quality is not known, however. We investigated whether complicated grief treatments (CGTs) improve sleep quality, as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data collected from 95 adults who participated in a randomized controlled trial were reviewed. Poor sleep quality persisted despite clinically significant improvements in CG severity posttreatment. Given that sleep disturbance is a risk factor for poor health outcomes, adjunctive sleep interventions may be necessary to enhance CGT outcomes.