Mechanisms of Action, Efficacy, and Feasibility of a Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Intervention in Spousal Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Caregivers

Many people who care for a husband or wife with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia have trouble sleeping. About 40 to 60 out of every 100 spousal caregivers have insomnia, which means trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, or waking up too early. Poor sleep can make it harder to handle stress, think clearly, and stay healthy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, or CBT-I, is the recommended treatment for insomnia. It helps people change the habits and thoughts that keep them awake. But CBT-I is hard for caregivers to get. There are not enough trained therapists, and caregivers often cannot leave home for appointments.

This study tests an online program called SHUTi-DC. It delivers CBT-I over the internet, so caregivers can use it at home whenever it fits their schedule. The program was adapted for people caring for a spouse with dementia.

The study will enroll 80 spousal caregivers who have insomnia symptoms. Half will be assigned to SHUTi-DC, which has eight weekly online modules that take 20 to 40 minutes each. The other half will receive a web-based sleep education program with general information about sleep health. A computer decides which program each person receives, similar to flipping a coin.

Everyone will answer questions about their sleep and well-being at the start of the study, each week during the program, and again six weeks after the program ends.

The researchers want to find out whether SHUTi-DC improves insomnia symptoms, how it works, and whether caregivers find the program helpful and easy to use.