Assessment of a Behavioral Sleep Program in a Population With Sleep Disturbances

Summary

Sleep disturbances are considered a significant public health concern. The prevalence of disrupted sleep among US adults has increased to alarming levels. Around 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disturbance. Reduced sleep and poor sleep quality have been linked to cardiovascular disease, increased risk for obesity, hypertension, heart attack, and stroke.

Sleep disturbances are characterized by dissatisfaction with sleep quality or sleep quantity, which may be associated with difficulties initiating sleep, difficulties maintaining sleep, or early-morning awakenings with an inability to return to sleep. Sleep disturbances including insomnia can be treated with pharmacological treatments. However, individuals often report adverse side effects. Increasing attention has therefore been paid to behavioral and psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness.

The study will assess a smartphone-based sleep program by Headspace Health that combines cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) and mindfulness concepts to minimize nocturnal symptoms and waking consequences associated with sleep disturbances.

The study aims to test the effectiveness of the Headspace Health Sleep Program on self-reported outcomes related to sleep quality. A secondary aim is to test objective measures of sleep quality using actigraphy.

The Headspace Health Sleep Program is an 18 day program based on CBTi, which includes the following intervention components: 1) a sleep diary to monitor sleep and associated factors; 2) cognitive interventions to address maladaptive thoughts related to sleep; 3) behavioral interventions to address maladaptive behaviors related to sleep (e.g., sleep hygiene, stimulus control, and sleep restriction); 4) de-arousal techniques (e.g., mindfulness, breathing, and muscle relaxation exercises).

Conditions

• Sleep Disturbance

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Sleep Program

Participants will complete the Headspace Health Sleep Program, which is an 18 day program based on CBTi, and includes the following intervention components: 1) a sleep diary to monitor sleep and associated factors; 2) cognitive interventions to address maladaptive thoughts related to sleep; 3) behavioral interventions to address maladaptive behaviors related to sleep (e.g., sleep hygiene, stimulus control, and sleep restriction); 4) de-arousal techniques (e.g., mindfulness, breathing, and muscle relaxation exercises).

OTHER

Waitlist

Participants will continue their regular sleep routines for an 18 day period and will not be assigned to an intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Southern Denmark

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ulrich Kirk, PhD · University of Southern Denmark

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-11-01

Primary Completion

2024-04-15

Completion

2024-04-15

Countries

• United States

Study Locations