Insomnia Combination Treatment: New AASM Guidelines

Insomnia Combination Treatment: New AASM Guidelines

May 22, 2026 · 51 min · Season 8 · Episode 10

About this episode

This episode discusses the new AASM guidelines on combination treatment for chronic insomnia disorder in adults.

In this episode of Talking Sleep, host Dr. Seema Khosla welcomes Dr. Daniel Buysse and Dr. Todd Arnedt, both members of the AASM clinical practice guideline committee, to discuss the newly released guidelines on combination treatment for chronic insomnia disorder in adults. Unlike previous guidelines, this new guidance specifically addresses what happens in real-world clinical practice: patients often request both cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and pharmacotherapy, or arrive seeking medications while clinicians advocate for behavioral interventions. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for navigating these combination treatment scenarios, incorporating patient preferences in ways previous guidelines did not. The conversation explores the guideline development process, including how committee members were selected and how diverse professional backgrounds enriched the discussion. Dr. Buysse and Dr. Arnedt explain why patient preference wasn't adequately reflected in original practice guidelines and how this updated version addresses that gap. The first recommendation receives detailed examination: In adults with chronic insomnia, the AASM…

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