UCLA Study: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy May Slow Biological Aging

A new clinical study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the USA revealed that cognitive behavioral therapy applied to older individuals suffering from chronic insomnia can slow down the rate of biological aging.

In the study, the health data and blood samples of approximately 100 adults aged 60 and over with chronic insomnia were followed for two years. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, one group received only general sleep training, while the other group received cognitive behavioral therapy, which restructures thoughts and sleep behaviors under expert control. Analyzes made on the 'DunedinPACE' biological aging clock, which measures epigenetic changes on DNA, showed that the aging rate increased only in the group receiving general education; It was found that the pace of biological aging slowed down significantly in patients receiving cognitive therapy.

It was determined that cognitive behavioral therapy, which is considered the gold standard in the treatment of insomnia but is used less frequently than drugs, also reduces the levels of the aging marker 'p16INK4a' at the cellular level. This decrease indicated that resolving sleep deprivation reduced the amount of senescent and damaged cells circulating in the blood.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Drawing attention to the critical role of sleep in the aging process, Judith Carroll said, "Insomnia in older ages is often seen only as a quality of life problem. However, these findings show that insomnia is an interveneable biological risk factor that determines how the body ages. Just as we recommend exercise and diet to our patients for healthy aging, we should position quality sleep as a basic health goal."

Experts reported that deep and uninterrupted sleep reduces inflammation in the body, reduces stress-induced cell damage, and creates a protective shield against dementia and heart diseases in older ages.