Relaxation training and single-item desensitization in the group treatment of insomnia

Twenty-four sleep-disturbed subjects were assigned to one of three group therapy conditions: relaxation-alone, desensitization with relaxation practice, and desensitization without relaxation practice. After three sessions, significant improvement occured in reported latency of sleep onset, rated difficulty in falling asleep, and number of awakenings during the night. While no differences between therapy conditions were found in the main analyses, there was case evidence suggesting a possible superiority of desensitization plus relaxation practice in the more severe cases of insomnia.