Effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy for sleep disturbance and glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A community-based randomized controlled trial in China

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality is a common clinical feature in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and often negatively related with glycemic control. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may improve sleep quality and reduce blood sugar levels in patients with T2DM. However, it is not entirely clear whether CBT delivered by general practitioners is effective for poor sleep quality in T2DM patients in community settings. AIM: To test the effect of CBT delivered by general practitioners in improving sleep quality and reducing glycemic levels in patients with T2DM in community. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted from September 2018 to October 2019 in communities of China. Overall 1033 persons with T2DM and poor sleep quality received CBT plus usual care or usual care. Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbAlc) and sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] were assessed. Repeated measures analysis of variance and generalized linear mixed effects models were used to estimate the intervention effects on hemoglobin A1c and sleep quality. RESULTS: The CBT group had 0.64, 0.50, and 0.9 lower PSQI scores than the control group at 2 mo, 6 mo, and 12 mo, respectively. The CBT group showed 0.17 and 0.43 lower HbAlc values than the control group at 6 mo and 12 mo. The intervention on mean ΔHbAlc values was significant at 12 mo (t = 3.68, P < 0.01) and that mean ΔPSQI scores were closely related to ΔHbAlc values (t = 7.02, P < 0.01). Intention-to-treat analysis for primary and secondary outcomes showed identical results with completed samples. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: CBT delivered by general practitioners, as an effective and practical method, could reduce glycemic levels and improve sleep quality for patients with T2DM in community.