Insomnia Treatment Option: Chronotherapy

Delaying Sleep Periods Treats Circadian Rhythm Problems

Man lying awake in bed
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To answer these questions, let’s review an excerpt from UpToDate - a trusted electronic medical reference used by health care providers and patients alike. Then, read on for additional information about what all of this means for you.

"Chronotherapy is also used in people with circadian rhythm sleep disorders. It involves intentionally delaying going to sleep by two to three hours on successive days until you are able to fall asleep at the desired bedtime. This can be difficult to do at home and is sometimes done in a hospital setting. After this, you must strictly enforce this sleep-wake schedule."

Chronotherapy is a helpful therapy for those who have difficulty initiating sleep. Insomnia may have many causes; sometimes it is due to a problem with the timing of the desire for sleep. There are many biological processes, including sleep patterns, that follow a circadian rhythm. Problems with this can lead to one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders, most commonly delayed or advanced sleep phase syndrome.


  • Day 1: Bedtime 6 a.m.
  • Day 2: Bedtime 9 a.m.
  • Day 3: Bedtime 12 noon
  • Day 4: Bedtime 3 p.m.
  • Day 5: Bedtime 6 p.m.
  • Day 6: Bedtime 9 p.m.
  • Day 7 and thereafter: Bedtime 11 p.m.


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