Treatment of sleep disturbance in rheumatoid arthritis: A single-subject experiment

Sleep disturbances are a relatively frequent complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study investigated the effectiveness of behavioral strategies for the control of sleep disturbances in a woman with RA. A single-subject experimental design with a reversal phase was used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. Sleep parameters, pain, and mood were measured using daily diaries and home monitoring. A combined treatment of stimulus control and relaxation training was most effective in improving sleep parameters and mood when compared with baseline, treatment withdrawal, and sleep hygiene education phases. Treatment gains were maintained at 8-week follow-up.