Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in Schizophrenia(SLEEPINS)

Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Schizophrenia; Schizoaffective Disorder; Insomnia

Treatments: Behavioral: GCBT-I; Behavioral: iCBT-I

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04144231

1129003, TYH2018219, 30000

Details and patient eligibility

About

Sleep problems are pervasive in people with schizophrenia. In our study, our goal is to determine whether we can alleviate sleep symptoms and improve quality of life and well-being in patients with major psychiatric disorders through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered via the internet or in groups.

At the same time, the study provides information on factors that are commonly associated with sleep and well-being in patients. The intervention study is conducted as a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (RCT), in which subjects are randomized into three groups: 1) Treatment as usual (TAU), 2) TAU and Internet-based therapy for insomnia (ICBT-I), and 3) TAU and group therapy for insomnia (GCBT-I).

Full description

Sleep is important for well-being. Lack of sleep and poor quality of sleep (Insomnia) are risk factors for psychiatric and somatic diseases such as depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and memory disorders and increases the risk of cognitive errors and accidents.

Psychiatric patients suffer from a wide variety of sleep disorders. Insomnia symptoms are known to increase the likelihood of later depression and even the use of disability pensions due to depression.

Various sleep disorders are also common in patients with schizophrenia. Previous studies on schizophrenia have reported-, symptoms of insomnia, especially the problem of falling asleep and poor sleep quality, circadian rhythm disruption, hypersomnolence and nightmares among the patients.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based treatment for insomnia. CBT-I can be implemented as an individual treatment, on a group basis or via the internet. There is evidence that CBT-I can also be used to treat a patient with a major psychiatric disorders, but randomized clinical trials (RCT) have rarely been published. Our research is based on the hypothesis that symptoms of insomnia in patients with schizophrenia can improved by CBT-I and, further, by improving patients' sleep quality their health and quality of life can also be improved.

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of two different treatment programs as compared to treatment as usual (TAU). The purpose of this study is to determine whether CBT-I can help relieve sleep symptoms and improve quality of life and well-being in patients with schizophrenia. At the same time, the study provides information on factors that are commonly associated with sleep and well-being in patients with major psychiatric disorders. The intervention study is conducted as an RCT, in which subjects are randomized into three groups: 1) Treatment as usual (TAU), 2) TAU and Internet-based therapy for insomnia (ICBT-I), and 3) TAU and group therapy for insomnia (GCBT-I).

The aim of this ongoing randomized controlled trial is to recruit 84 - 120 participants from Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) Psychiatry Outpatient Clinics for Psychosis, and they have previously participated in the nationwide SUPER Finland study (a study on genetic mechanisms of psychotic disorders and a part of the Stanley Global Neuropsychiatric Genomics Initiative). The study is performed on a cycle basis with a target of 12 to 24 patients per cycle, randomly assigned to three intervention groups.

Enrollment: 120 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

To participate in the study, patients must meet the following criteria:

1. Have previously participated in the nationwide SUPER Finland study (www.superfinland.fi, a study on genetic mechanisms of psychotic disorders and a part of the Stanley Global Initiative) and have given permission for subsequent contact.
2. Be currently in psychiatric care at HUS
3. Be 18 years of age or older
4. Have a serious mental disorder (schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder)
5. Have a stable medical condition
6. Have self-reported sleep problems: difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, poor quality of sleep, or dissatisfaction with sleep
7. Have access to an electronic inquiry and treatment program and use of e-mail
8. Be able to participate in a sleep group if randomized.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria include:

1. ongoing cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy
2. diagnosed sleep disorder such as sleep apnea
3. insufficient Finnish language skills (insomnia interventions are produced in Finnish, so good Finnish language skills are required)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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120 participants in 3 patient groups

Treatment-as-usual (TAU)

No Intervention group

Description:

Treatment-as-usual (TAU) delivered by psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses in HUS Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic for Psychosis. Participants who randomized to TAU -group, may receive medication for insomnia, but they will not received CBT-I. Treatment-as-usual is included in all intervention groups.

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Experimental group

Description:

TAU and Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (iCBT-I) with the support of a therapist, delivered by mobile application (HUS iCBT-I): There will be seven manualized sessions, conducted at intervals of either every one or two weeks. HUS iCBT-I, is based on the same theoretical model of insomnia as described in Morin 2003 and Edinger 2015- and involves the same interventions as ordinary CBT-I: a structured treatment focusing on education, behaviors and cognitions. iCBT-I consists of psychoeducation about sleep, sleep restriction therapy, stimulus control, relaxation techniques, and challenging beliefs and perception of sleep. During the therapy, the therapist monitors progress at least once a week, sends messages to the participant, and answers any treatment-related questions. The aim of the feedback is to comment on exercises, clarify intervention and motivate the patient to persist the in carrying out the treatment and the requested behavioral changes.

Treatment:

Behavioral: iCBT-I

Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Insomnia

Experimental group

Description:

TAU and Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Insomnia (GCBT-I): There will be six 90-minute manualized sessions, conducted at intervals of either one or two weeks. One booster session will be conducted one month after the treatment. Each group will have 4-8 people. The content of the CBT-I group is based on CBT for insomnia (as described above) and a previously published insomnia treatment manual for psychotic patients (Waters 2017).To ensuring the rights, safety and wellbeing of participants during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, we produce GCBT-I via internet.

Treatment:

Behavioral: GCBT-I