Internet-based Cognitive-behavioral Treatment for Insomnia in COPD Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Not Applicable

Active, not recruiting

• Conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Insomnia
• Interventions: Behavioral: Internet-based behavioral treatment for insomnia; Behavioral: Online insomnia patient education

• Registration Number: NCT04700098
• Lead Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Brief Summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare sleep and health-related functioning in Veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and insomnia receiving an Internet-based behavioral treatment for insomnia versus online insomnia patient education. Participants will undergo a sleep and health assessment that will be performed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-months later. Participants will be randomly assigned to either Internet-based behavioral treatment for insomnia or online insomnia patient education.

Detailed Description

Veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a vulnerable group for developing insomnia. Insomnia has been found to be associated with limitations in activities of daily living (ADL), lower physical activity levels, poor quality of life, greater COPD symptom severity, and reduced exercise performance. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an efficacious and durable non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia that provides guidance on changing unhealthy sleep-related beliefs and behaviors across a variety of illnesses. CBT-I not only improves sleep-specific symptoms of insomnia but also improves quality of life and daytime function, reduces ADL limitations, and improves condition-specific symptoms.

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare sleep and health-related functioning in Veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and insomnia receiving an Internet-based behavioral treatment for insomnia versus online insomnia patient education. Veterans 40 years and older, who received care from the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, and who have COPD and insomnia will be recruited for this study. Participants will undergo a sleep and health assessment that will be performed at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-months later. Participants will be randomly assigned to either Internet-based behavioral treatment for insomnia or online insomnia patient education. Both the insomnia treatment and patient education will be provided remotely.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-01-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-01-05
• Study First Posted: 2021-01-07
• Study Start: 2022-02-14
• Primary Completion: 2025-03-31
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-18
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-24
• Study Completion: 2025-06-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 15

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 40 years and older
• Primary diagnosis of COPD defined by GOLD
• Meets criteria for Insomnia Disorder
• At least moderate insomnia severity based on Insomnia Severity Index score >7
• Stable psychiatric and medical conditions
• Must have telephone, email, and reliable Internet access via computer, smartphone, or tablet

Exclusion Criteria

• Untreated current major depression
• Serious suicidal risk
• Substance abuse disorder within past 3 months
• History of bipolar or psychosis
• Untreated restless legs syndrome, delayed sleep phase syndrome, irregular sleep schedules
• Very severe untreated obstructive sleep apnea
• Severe excessive daytime sleepiness based on Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > 16
• Restrictive lung disease (FEV1/FVC 70 and FEV1 < 80% predicted) or asthma
• Plans to move during the following 6 months
• Non-English speaking or sensory deficits

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Internet-based behavioral treatment for insomnia	Internet-based behavioral treatment for insomnia	Internet version of cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia
Online insomnia patient education	Online insomnia patient education	Online insomnia patient education

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire	6-months post-pulmonary rehabilitation	The SGRQ is a 50-item measure assessing disease-specific quality of life. The total SGRQ score, which reflects the overall impact of the disease on quality of life, ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater impairment.
Insomnia Severity Index	Baseline to post-treatment and 3-months post-treatment	The Insomnia Severity Index is a 7-item self-report questionnaire assessing nature, severity and impact of insomnia symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating worse insomnia severity.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI; 🇺🇸 Detroit, Michigan, United States

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive Division, Pittsburgh, PA; 🇺🇸 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States