Comparison of the Effectiveness of the KiSS Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program and Reflexotherapy on Insomnia in Children

The high prevalence of insomnia in children and its adverse consequences on children and their family indicate that investigation about treatment of insomnia is necessary.

This research was conducted to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy program for insomnia, named the KiSS program (Kinder mit Schafstörungen Programm) and reflexotherapy on insomnia in children.

The method of the present research was quasi-experimental in which a pretest, posttest and follow-up design was used in two experimental and two control groups. In order to perform this study among children of 8 to 10 years with insomnia referring to Medical & Psychology Clinic of Shokoufeh in, Tehran, Iran, within July to October 2021, 80 children were selected through the convenience sampling method based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were assigned randomly into two experimental and two control groups. The Personal Information Questionnaire, Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), Child Symptoms Inventory-4 (CSI-4) were used to collect data. In the experimental groups, the KiSS program and reflexotherapy were performed. In the control groups, the interventions of watching cartoon in group and watching cartoon individually were performed. The data were analyzed with SPSS 22 using descriptive statistical indicators including mean and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics indicators, including mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) method.

The results of data analysis showed that the KiSS program reduced mean scores of insomnia in the posttest stage significantly compared to the first control group and the changes in the follow-up stage remained stable. The mean scores of insomnia in reflexotherapy group also decreased significantly in the posttest stage than second control group. However, the effectiveness of the reflexotherapy intervention is temporary, and after two-months follow-up, the insomnia reappear in children.

Both the KiSS program and reflexotherapy can be used as uncomplicated and safe nondrug intervention to improve insomnia in children of 8-10 years. Nevertheless, the KiSS program showed more promising results.