Behavior-analytic intervention for women with fibromyalgia and insomnia: a single subject design

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects in the pain and sleep, and the clinic significance after an analytic-behavioral intervention to manage the condition of the physical and interpersonal environment related to pain. Four women with fibromyalgia and insomnia participated in a study with intervention withdrawal multiple baseline design and initial, intermediate, final, and follow-up assessments. Self-report instruments were used to assess pain intensity and disability, sleep quality, and insomnia severity, besides the actigraphy. Data showed that the intervention (20 sessions) was effective in reducing the sleep and pain problems in all participants by shifting two participants from clinical to non-clinical status in sleep indicators. The gains were maintained or increased in follow-up measures. However, the results should take into consideration the clinical condition and other variables that may have individually impacted the results.

Protocol for single case experimental design for yoga and sleep quality and inflammation: A two-hit model of sleep intervention

“…Participants will complete a minimum baseline of 3 weeks, during which they will complete the actigraphy, PSQI, and a weekly sleep diary. The best way of evaluating the sleep-wake cycle over an extended period is in the home environment [ 49 ]. Hence, the actigraphy device would be given to the subjects to take home and worn for 72 h. Previously validated algorithms will be used to analyze sleep and wake cycles [ 4 ].…”

“…The Single-case experimental design also provides an optimal platform to overcome the limitations related to fidelity and for assessing causal relationships between interventions and outcomes [ 45 , 46 ]. SCED studies also aid in the visualization of more accurate functional relationships between interventions and outcomes by providing continuous feedback on the treatment progress of individual participants [ 49 ]. Polysomnography, the golden standard for sleep assessment is, however, not considered suitable for long-term studies requiring multiple assessments in a geriatric population, on account of its intrinsic, and intrusive features [ 50 ].…”