The Effects of Insomnia Treatment on Overnight Regulation of Emotional Memories and Risk for Mental Disorders

Summary

This project aims to elucidate whether CBCTi changes symptom severity or even remission of anxiety disorders as compared with a delayed-start control group. The investigators will use a delayed-start randomized controlled trial in a cohort of individuals with anxiety and insomnia (N=98) to compare the effects of an online therapist-guided cognitive behavioural and circadian therapy for insomnia versus control on overnight emotion regulation and mental health outcomes.

The project will involve at-home assessments and in-lab visits. At-home assessment involves recording sleep and circadian rhythm measures with wearables and daily diaries. Participants will be invited to perform two sleep studies and neuroimaging sessions to investigate the effects of CBCTi on neuroimaging and psychophysiological markers of overnight regulation of emotional distress.

Conditions

• Insomnia Chronic
• Anxiety

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Immediate CBCTi

This intervention will be immediately accessible to the CBCTi group. The program is composed of weekly online modules that include written information and interactive components such as schematics, images, videos, and questions. The content of the modules follows traditional and validated cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia protocols including sleep education, behavioural strategies (e.g., stimulus control, bedtime retraining, sleep hygiene), cognitive restructuration approaches (e.g., thought reappraisal, imagery, mindfulness), and relaxation practices (progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training). In addition, further content aims to stabilize and amplify circadian rhythmicity through light exposure in the morning, daytime moderate physical activity, and evening time warm baths. Participants complete daily sleep diaries throughout the intervention.

BEHAVIORAL

Delayed CBCTi

This intervention will be accessible after a waiting period of 2 months (i.e, delayed start). The program is composed of weekly online modules that include written information and interactive components such as schematics, images, videos, and questions. The content of the modules follows traditional and validated cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia protocols including sleep education, behavioural strategies (e.g., stimulus control, bedtime retraining, sleep hygiene), cognitive restructuration approaches (e.g., thought reappraisal, imagery, mindfulness), and relaxation practices (progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training). In addition, further content aims to stabilize and amplify circadian rhythmicity through light exposure in the morning, daytime moderate physical activity, and evening time warm baths. Participants complete daily sleep diaries throughout the intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Macquarie University, Australia

  collaborator OTHER

• Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rick Wassing, PhD · Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-01-06

Primary Completion

2029-06-30

Completion

2030-06-30

Countries

• Australia

Study Locations