The clock as a focus of selective attention in those with primary insomnia

Woods, H. , Marchetti, L., Biello, S. and Espie, C. (2007) The clock as a focus of selective attention in those with primary insomnia. In: Sleep 2007 APSS meeting, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 9-14 June 2007, A256.

Abstract

Introduction:<p></p> Espie et al (2006) propose a route into primary psychophysiological insomnia (PI) along the attention-intention-effort pathway which focuses on the inhibition of sleep-wake automaticity. A contributing factor to this is selective attention to sleep (alongside explicit attention to sleep and effort in the sleep engagement process). The cognitive model of insomnia (Harvey, 2002) considers the importance of monitoring both internal and external cues in the maintenance of insomnia.<p></p> Method:<p></p> A Posner paradigm was employed to investigate further the role of the clock as a focus of selective attention in those with PI. A 2x2 between participants design was used to analyse responses obtained from a computer task presenting times which fall within a normal sleep period, to both PI and GS. 25 individuals with primary insomnia and 25 good sleepers participated in this study. The reaction time of interest was the time taken by the subject to respond to the target which was invalidly cued by a time normally associated with sleep presented for 250 msec.<p></p> Results:<p></p> Comparisons were made between means for selected factors. Significant differences were found between GS and PI for invalid trials (F(1,84)=6.9 p<0.05) and between invalid and valid trials for PI (F(1,84)=19.5 p<0.00001). No significant difference was found between GS and PI on the Beck Depression Inventory. PI scored significantly higher on measures of state anxiety (p<0.05) but no differences were found with GS on trait anxiety.<p></p> Conclusion:<p></p> This study supports previous research demonstrating that individuals with primary insomnia exhibit an attentional bias to sleep related stimuli. Also, these results lend support to the attention-intention-effort model (Espie et al, 2006) and the cognitive model of insomnia (Harvey, 2002) which considers the importance of selective attention towards salient stimuli in the maintenance of insomnia.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Espie, Professor Colin and Cleland Woods, Heather and Biello, Professor Stephany and Marchetti, Mrs Lauren
• Authors: Woods, H., Marchetti, L., Biello, S., and Espie, C.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology