Effects of CBT-I on Impulsivity and Risk Taking in Youths With Insomnia

Summary

Insomnia is prevalent in adolescents. Impulsive behaviours and excessive risk-taking have been linked to the manifestation of psychopathology in youths. Previous research based on behavioural and neurophysiological measures has found that individuals with insomnia demonstrated impaired inhibitory control, which is associated with detrimental outcomes such as substance abuse and self-harm.

Existing evidence has shown some positive effects of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on insomnia symptoms and daytime functioning in youths. Given the link between insomnia and impulsivity reported in previous research, and sleep as a highly modifiable factor, we are conducting this randomised controlled trial to examine the impact of CBT-I in improving impulsivity and risk-taking in youth with insomnia.

Conditions

• Insomnia
• Impulsivity
• Risk-Taking

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia

CBT-I consists of 6 weekly group sessions (90-min, 5-8 adolescents in each group) delivered in the afternoon/evening after school within a 10-week window. The intervention is structured and based on the well-established CBT elements for treating insomnia. The treatment components aim to address the behavioural, cognitive, and physiological factors perpetuating insomnia whilst considering the sleep and circadian features in adolescents and developmental context with the following key elements: psychoeducation about sleep, circadian rhythm and sleep hygiene, stimulus control, sleep restriction, relaxation training, structured worry time, cognitive restructuring (targeting sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions), and relapse prevention.

OTHER

Health-related Psychoeducation

The active control group will receive group-based health-related psychoeducation, a format that has been adopted in the previous research, in order to provide the credibility of the intervention to the participants, and to control for the potential effects of attention and nonspecific components, e.g., receiving health-related information, expectations of benefit. It will also consist of 6 weekly sessions which contain education on general well-being, diet, and exercise/activity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chinese University of Hong Kong

  collaborator OTHER

• King's College London

  collaborator OTHER

• The University of Hong Kong

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

12 Years

Max Age

24 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-06-19

Primary Completion

2026-12-01

Completion

2026-12-01

Countries

• Hong Kong

Study Locations