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Determination of Optimal Sleep Treatment Elements - MOST

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Insomnia Chronic
Interventions
Behavioral: Cognitive Therapy
Behavioral: Stimulus Control Therapy
Behavioral: Relaxation Training
Behavioral: Sleep Optimization
Behavioral: Sleep Hygiene Education
Registration Number
NCT05561829
Lead Sponsor
University of Aarhus
Brief Summary

Previous research has shown the efficacy of (combinations of) individual components of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), namely sleep hygiene education, sleep restriction, stimulus control therapy, deactivation/relaxation training, and cognitive therapy. However, their relative effects, i.e., their effects in direct comparison with each other, are yet to be assessed. By means of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST), this study aims to investigate the components' relative efficacy in order to identify the most effective component or combination of components for digitized treatment of chronic insomnia. A future study will verify this intervention's effect in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Detailed Description

The DOSE Project employs the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) to evaluate the relative efficacy of the individual cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) components. The present study represents the optimization phase of MOST, which aims to identify which combination of CBT-I components produces the best expected outcome, while taking constraints, such as economy, scalability, treatment complexity, and usability, into account.

The main objectives of the DOSE Project are

1. To conduct MOST on a multi-component smartphone or web application targeting insomnia

2. To identify the components and combination of components that demonstrate the best expected obtainable outcome

3. To examine potential moderators of the effect of the individual treatment components on insomnia severity,

4. To determine which application build (i.e., combination of components) is optimal to test in a subsequent RCT.

This study employs a fractional factorial experimental design conducted with individuals experiencing moderate-to-severe insomnia. With random allocation, participants will receive a version of the application in which one or more of the five core CBT-I components (i.e., sleep hygiene education, sleep restriction, stimulus control therapy, deactivation/relaxation training, cognitive therapy) are presented in various combinations. The intervention lasts 10 weeks, including an initial one-week assessment period.

Baseline group differences (concerning socio-demographic, disease-related, and psychosocial data) will be explored to test the success of the randomization. If differences are found, sensitivity analyses will be made to evaluate their possible influence on the results. Main effects will be analysed using Mixed Linear Models (MLMs) based on the intent-to-treat sample, comparing aggregated groups of N = 2 x 320 (e.g., plus/minus sleep restriction or plus/minus sleep hygiene etc.) on all outcome variables. MLMs account for the hierarchical, non-independent nature of the data (i.e., repeated measures nested within patients and treatment conditions), testing the time\*group interaction effect, reflecting the effect of treatment. Moderation analyses will evaluate whether individual differences in various baseline variables (e.g., physical function, expectations, computer proficiency, chronotype, etc.) influence intervention effects.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
489
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adults (≥18 years)
  • Individuals who report moderate-to-severe insomnia symptoms (a score ≥10 on the Insomnia Severity Index, ISI)
  • Individuals with access to a smartphone or computer with internet connection
  • Individuals who report sufficient technological proficiency (e.g., ability to download apps)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Children (<18 years)
  • Individuals who report mild or no clinically relevant insomnia symptoms (a score <10 on the ISI)
  • Individuals who have a shift-work schedule or are on maternity/paternity leave, if this impacts their sleep quality or amount of sleep
  • Individuals who are unable to read Danish
  • Individuals who report severe physical or psychological comorbidity with known effects on sleep (e.g., psychosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, COPD)
  • Individuals who report other diagnosed sleep or circadian rhythm disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, narcolepsy)
  • Individuals who have previously used the "Hvil®"-app

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
FACTORIAL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Cognitive TherapyCognitive TherapyAdministration of cognitive therapy only (single intervention)
Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Sleep HygieneStimulus Control TherapyAdministration of stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Cognitive TherapyCognitive TherapyAdministration of stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, and cognitive therapy (3 interventions)
Relaxation Training, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneRelaxation TrainingAdministration of relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Relaxation Training, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneCognitive TherapyAdministration of relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Cognitive TherapyStimulus Control TherapyAdministration of stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, and cognitive therapy (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Relaxation Training, Cognitive TherapyRelaxation TrainingAdministration of sleep optimization, relaxation training, and cognitive therapy (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Sleep HygieneSleep Hygiene EducationAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Relaxation TrainingStimulus Control TherapyAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, and relaxation training (3 interventions)
Sleep HygieneSleep Hygiene EducationAdministration of sleep hygiene education (single intervention)
Relaxation TrainingRelaxation TrainingAdministration of relaxation training only (single intervention)
Relaxation Training, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneSleep Hygiene EducationAdministration of relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Stimulus Control, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneStimulus Control TherapyAdministration of stimulus control therapy, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Stimulus Control, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneSleep Hygiene EducationAdministration of stimulus control therapy, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Sleep HygieneRelaxation TrainingAdministration of stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Sleep HygieneSleep Hygiene EducationAdministration of stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneSleep OptimizationAdministration of sleep optimization, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Stimulus ControlStimulus Control TherapyAdministration of stimulus control therapy only (single intervention)
Stimulus Control, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneCognitive TherapyAdministration of stimulus control therapy, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Cognitive TherapyRelaxation TrainingAdministration of stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, and cognitive therapy (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Relaxation Training, Sleep HygieneRelaxation TrainingAdministration of sleep optimization, relaxation training, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Relaxation Training, Cognitive TherapySleep OptimizationAdministration of sleep optimization, relaxation training, and cognitive therapy (3 interventions)
Sleep OptimizationSleep OptimizationAdministration of sleep optimization only (single intervention)
Sleep Optimization, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneCognitive TherapyAdministration of sleep optimization, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Relaxation Training, Sleep HygieneSleep Hygiene EducationAdministration of sleep optimization, relaxation training, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Relaxation TrainingSleep OptimizationAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, and relaxation training (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneSleep OptimizationAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (5 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneSleep Hygiene EducationAdministration of sleep optimization, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Relaxation Training, Sleep HygieneSleep OptimizationAdministration of sleep optimization, relaxation training, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Sleep HygieneSleep OptimizationAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Cognitive TherapySleep OptimizationAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, and cognitive therapy (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneStimulus Control TherapyAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (5 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneRelaxation TrainingAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (5 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneCognitive TherapyAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (5 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Relaxation Training, Cognitive Therapy, Sleep HygieneSleep Hygiene EducationAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene education (5 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Relaxation Training, Cognitive TherapyCognitive TherapyAdministration of sleep optimization, relaxation training, and cognitive therapy (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Sleep HygieneStimulus Control TherapyAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, and sleep hygiene education (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Cognitive TherapyStimulus Control TherapyAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, and cognitive therapy (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Cognitive TherapyCognitive TherapyAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, and cognitive therapy (3 interventions)
Sleep Optimization, Stimulus Control, Relaxation TrainingRelaxation TrainingAdministration of sleep optimization, stimulus control therapy, and relaxation training (3 interventions)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Insomnia severity post-intervention11 weeks after study entry (randomization)

Assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), with scores ranging from 0 to 28, where higher scores indicate higher insomnia severity, and a score equal to or above 10 indicates clinical significance.

Insomnia severity at 6 month follow-up6 months (180 days) after post-questionnaire, approximately 8,5 months after study entry (randomization).

Assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), with scores ranging from 0 to 28, where higher scores indicate higher insomnia severity, and a score equal to or above 10 indicates clinical significance.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Daytime fatigue post-intervention11 weeks after study entry (randomization)

Assessed with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy for Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue), which covers physical fatigue, functional fatigue, and social consequences of fatigue.

Physical and mental functioning at 6-month follow-up6 months (180 days) after post-questionnaire, approximately 8,5 months after study entry (randomization).

Assessed with the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which addresses different aspects of emotional states and daily activities. The questionnaire allows for sub-scores for mental and physical health to be calculated based on population norms, with higher scores indicating better health.

Sleep diary outcomes post-intervention11 weeks after study entry (randomization)

Assessed with the Consensus Sleep Diary (CSD), which measures sleep- and waking time, sleep onset latency, wakefulness after initial sleep onset, early morning awakenings, and getting-up time, allowing for total sleep time, total time in bed, and sleep efficiency to be calculated.

Sleep quality at 6-month follow-up6 months (180 days) after post-questionnaire, approximately 8,5 months after study entry (randomization).

Assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), which measures clinically derived domains of sleep difficulties (i.e., subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction).

Physical and mental functioning post-intervention11 weeks after study entry (randomization)

Assessed with the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which addresses different aspects of emotional states and daily activities. The questionnaire allows for sub-scores for mental and physical health to be calculated based on population norms, with higher scores indicating better health.

Psychological distress post-intervention11 weeks after study entry (randomization)

Assessed with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), which evaluates the constructs depression, anxiety, and stress on sub-scales.

Health-related well-being post-intervention11 weeks after study entry (randomization)

Assessed with the 5-item World Health Organisation's Well-Being Index (WHO-5).

Health-related well-being at 6-month follow-up6 months (180 days) after post-questionnaire, approximately 8,5 months after study entry (randomization).

Assessed with the 5-item World Health Organisation's Well-Being Index (WHO-5).

Sleep quality post-intervention11 weeks after study entry (randomization)

Assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), which measures clinically derived domains of sleep difficulties (i.e., subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction).

Daytime fatigue at 6-month follow-up6 months (180 days) after post-questionnaire, approximately 8,5 months after study entry (randomization).

Assessed with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy for Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue), which covers physical fatigue, functional fatigue, and social consequences of fatigue.

Cognitions about sleep post-intervention11 weeks after study entry (randomization)

Assessed with the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS-16).

Cognitions about sleep at 6-month follow-up6 months (180 days) after post-questionnaire, approximately 8,5 months after study entry (randomization).

Assessed with the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS-16).

Psychological distress at 6-month follow-up6 months (180 days) after post-questionnaire, approximately 8,5 months after study entry (randomization).

Assessed with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), which evaluates the constructs depression, anxiety, and stress on sub-scales.

Sleep diary outcomes at 6-month follow-up6 months (180 days) after post-questionnaire, approximately 8,5 months after study entry (randomization).

Assessed with the Consensus Sleep Diary (CSD), which measures sleep- and waking time, sleep onset latency, wakefulness after initial sleep onset, early morning awakenings, and getting-up time, allowing for total sleep time, total time in bed, and sleep efficiency to be calculated.

Application usability11 weeks after study entry (randomization)

Assessed with the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Aarhus University

🇩🇰

Aarhus, Midtjylland, Denmark

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