Sleep Extension for Mental Health Disorders

Overseen By Katherine Seldin, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago

Must not be taking: Sleep medications

Disqualifiers: Sleep apnea, Medical morbidities, Psychiatric, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 6 weeks

25 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes participants who are taking medications for sleep, so if you are on such medications, you would not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Sleep Extension for Mental Health Disorders?

Research shows that improving sleep can significantly enhance mental health, as sleep disorders are often linked to mental health issues. Early identification and treatment of sleep problems can improve symptoms, functioning, and quality of life in individuals with mental disorders. Additionally, light therapies and mindfulness-based strategies have shown promise in improving sleep quality and duration in people with psychiatric conditions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is sleep extension therapy safe for humans?

The available research does not specifically address the safety of sleep extension therapy, but it generally involves non-invasive methods like sleep education and behavior change, which are typically safe for humans. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

How is the Sleep Extension treatment different from other treatments for mental health disorders?

Sleep Extension is unique because it focuses on improving sleep duration and quality through behavioral changes, such as sleep hygiene practices and possibly using tools like wearable sleep trackers and coaching. Unlike other treatments that may target specific symptoms of mental health disorders, this approach aims to enhance overall mental health by addressing sleep issues, which are often overlooked but crucial for mental well-being. ^{1 2 5 6 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this interventional study is to learn if a digital sleep extension intervention can improve sleep and mood in young urban adults with mood symptoms. The main questions it aims to answer are: Will this intervention improve sleep? Will this intervention improve mood? Does the effect of this intervention change based on environmental factors like noise and light pollution? Researchers will compare participants receiving the sleep intervention to participants receiving a "general healthy living" intervention to see if outcome are different across groups. Participants will: * receive 6 weeks of brief once weekly telephone coaching and read once weekly educational content * have their sleep monitored daily with a FitBit and Somnofy sleep device and during the 6-week intervention period * respond to questionnaires at the start of the intervention, halfway through the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and finally 4 weeks after completing the intervention

Research Team

Jennifer Duffecy, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Illinois Chicago

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young urban adults experiencing mood symptoms and sleep issues, such as nocturnal eating-drinking syndrome or parasomnia. Participants must be willing to receive weekly phone coaching, use sleep monitoring devices like FitBit and Somnofy, and complete several questionnaires.

Inclusion Criteria

Sleeping less than 7 hours per night

Perceived neighborhood disorder

Possession of a smart phone capable of running the Somnofy app

Exclusion Criteria

Presence of significant medical morbidities or psychiatric problems, or chronic substance use

Non-English speaking (unable to participate in therapy or questionnaire)

Traveling for 2 weeks or more during the 10-week study period (due to loss of data from participants not sleeping in their home where the Somnofy device has been set up)

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 6 weeks of brief once weekly telephone coaching and read once weekly educational content. Sleep is monitored daily with a FitBit and Somnofy sleep device.

6 weeks

6 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, responding to questionnaires 4 weeks after completing the intervention.

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Healthy Living Psychoeducation
• Sleep Extension

Trial Overview The study tests if a digital intervention aimed at extending sleep can improve both sleep quality and mood in participants compared to those receiving general healthy living advice. The impact of environmental factors on the intervention's effectiveness will also be assessed.

Participant Groups

Group I: Sleep Extension Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Sleep-related psychoeducation will be provided in weekly lesson content. Phone coaching will revolve around sleep health and meeting sleep goals.

Group II: Healthy Living Active Control 1 Intervention

Psychoeducation about general health (e.g., hand washing) will be provided in weekly lesson content. Phone coaches will not provide counseling or goal setting but may clarify terms or concepts.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

653

Recruited

1,574,000+

Findings from Research

A meta-analysis of 40 studies found that light interventions significantly improve sleep quality and timing in individuals with circadian rhythm disorders and neuropsychiatric conditions, with notable effects on sleep continuity and self-reported disturbances.

Avoiding evening light exposure was linked to increased total sleep time, suggesting that light management could be a beneficial strategy for enhancing sleep in psychiatric populations, warranting further research and tailored interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Light therapies to improve sleep in intrinsic circadian rhythm sleep disorders and neuro-psychiatric illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Faulkner, SM., Bee, PE., Meyer, N., et al.[2021]

Mindfulness-based interventions show promise in improving sleep for individuals with psychiatric disorders, particularly in those with anxiety and depression, although the evidence is still limited.

There is a need for more well-controlled studies specifically designed to target sleep through mindfulness strategies, as current improvements may be more related to reductions in psychiatric symptoms rather than direct effects on sleep.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Strategies for Improving Sleep in People with Psychiatric Disorders. Peters, AL., Saunders, WJ., Jackson, ML.[2023]

In a study of 38 adults with sleep duration less than 7 hours, the combination of a Fitbit and coaching showed potential for improving sleep duration, although the results were not statistically significant compared to a self-management control group.

Coaching alone led to significant improvements in sleep-related impairment, highlighting that while all interventions were feasible and acceptable, the added accountability from coaching may enhance the effectiveness of sleep extension strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A feasibility study to understand the components of behavioral sleep extension. Baron, KG., Trela-Hoskins, SR., Duffecy, J., et al.[2023]

This umbrella review analyzed 35 systematic reviews and meta-analyses to evaluate non-pharmacological sleep health interventions in primarily healthy populations, highlighting effective strategies such as later school start times, behavior change methods, and mind-body exercises.

While some interventions like sleep education and relaxation techniques showed potential benefits for sleep quality, the evidence was less consistent, indicating a need for further research to solidify these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sleep Health Promotion Interventions and Their Effectiveness: An Umbrella Review. Albakri, U., Drotos, E., Meertens, R.[2021]

A study involving 92 adults with short sleep duration (average of 5:49 hours) found that 84% of participants were interested in interventions to increase their sleep, particularly using wrist-worn devices.

Participants with sleep disorders, such as insomnia, showed a higher interest in sleep extension interventions, indicating that wearable technology could be a promising solution for those struggling with sleep issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictors of Intervention Interest Among Individuals With Short Sleep Duration. Adkins, EC., DeYonker, O., Duffecy, J., et al.[2020]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The clinical relevance of early identification and treatment of sleep disorders in mental health care: protocol of a randomized control trial. [2020]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treating sleep and circadian problems to promote mental health: perspectives on comorbidity, implementation science and behavior change. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Light therapies to improve sleep in intrinsic circadian rhythm sleep disorders and neuro-psychiatric illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A scale for assessing sleep hygiene: preliminary data. [2015]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Strategies for Improving Sleep in People with Psychiatric Disorders. [2023]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A feasibility study to understand the components of behavioral sleep extension. [2023]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sleep Health Promotion Interventions and Their Effectiveness: An Umbrella Review. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Disseminating sleep education to graduate psychology programs online: a knowledge translation study to improve the management of insomnia. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictors of Intervention Interest Among Individuals With Short Sleep Duration. [2020]