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Comparison of the Effects of Support and Non-support Online CBT-I

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) logo

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Insomnia

Treatments

Behavioral: Cognitive behavioral therapy

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

Details and patient eligibility

About

Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep problem in children and adolescents and it has been found to predict the development of mental health problems in young adulthood. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been found to be effective in both adults and adolescents. However, limited accessibility and availability of the treatment has only benefited a small proportion of insomnia patients. Therefore, digital CBT-I has been promoted as an alternative way to manage individual's insomnia problems with adequate efficacy. Nonetheless, one of the major limitations of the online self-help intervention is the relatively high drop-out rate and lower compliance compared to the face-to-face modality which the interactive component is less practical in the online intervention. Therefore, the objectives of current study are 1) evaluate the efficacy of mobile-APP based CBT-I in treating youth insomnia, 2) evaluate whether the provision of additional support could further enhance the treatment outcomes.

Enrollment

90 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

12 to 24 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • Chinese aged 12-24 years old;
  • Informed consent of participation into the study is given by the participant and his/her parent or guardian (for those aged under 18);
  • Being able to comply with the study protocol;
  • Having a DSM-5 diagnosis of insomnia disorder, with a score on Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) >= 9 (suggested cut-off for adolescents)

Exclusion criteria

  • A current diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence; a current or past history of manic or hypomanic episode, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, organic mental disorders, or intellectual disabilities;
  • Having a prominent medical condition known to interfere with sleep continuity and quality (e.g. eczema, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease);
  • Having a clinically diagnosed sleep disorder that may potentially contribute to a disruption in sleep continuity and quality, such as narcolepsy, sleep-disordered breathing, and restless leg syndrome;
  • Concurrent, regular use of medications(s) known to affect sleep continuity and quality (e.g. hypnotics, steroids);
  • In the opinion of the research clinician, having a clinically significant suicidality (presence of suicidal ideation with a plan or an attempt);
  • Having been enrolled in any other clinical trial investigational products within one month at the entry of the study;
  • Initiation of or change in antidepressant medication within past 2 months;
  • Having been or is currently receiving any structured psychotherapy;
  • With hearing or speech deficit;
  • Night shift worker.

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

Double Blind

90 participants in 2 patient groups

online CBT-I with support (individualized feedback and reminders)
Experimental group
Description:
The mobile-APP based CBT-I consists of 6 weekly session. The treatment is structured and based on the well-established CBT elements for treating insomnia. The treatment components in the CBT-I aim to address the behavioural, cognitive and physiological perpetuating factor of insomnia and include: psycho-education about sleep and sleep hygiene, stimulus control, sleep restriction, relaxation training, structured worry time, cognitive restructuring (targeting sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions), and relapse prevention. reminders and individualized feedback regarding the behavioral strategies will be sent to the participant every week.
Treatment:
Behavioral: Cognitive behavioral therapy
online CBT-I without support
Active Comparator group
Description:
same as the experimental arm but without reminders and individualized feedback
Treatment:
Behavioral: Cognitive behavioral therapy

Trial contacts and locations

1

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Central trial contact

Shirley Xin Li, PhD

Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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