Sleep Health Education for University Students

Overseen By Sarah Fakroune, M.A

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Laval University

Must not be taking: Prescription sleep medication

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Cancer, Cardiovascular disease, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a program designed to help college students improve their sleep through education. It includes three sessions that cover sleep education, suggest behavior changes, and address stress and coping strategies. Participants will be divided into two groups: one begins the program immediately, while the other starts later. The trial is open to Université Laval students who do not use prescription sleep medication and do not have serious health conditions like diabetes or chronic pain. As an unphased trial, this study offers students an opportunity to enhance their sleep quality and overall well-being through innovative educational strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you use prescription sleep medication.

What prior data suggests that this psychoeducational intervention is safe for university students?

Research has shown that programs focusing on education and behavior changes, rather than medication, are generally safe. This typically means no physical side effects occur.

In previous studies on sleep education, participants improved their sleep habits without any reported harm. For instance, learning about sleep and stress helped individuals manage their sleep better, resulting in feeling more rested and less stressed.

Overall, because this program is educational and involves behavior changes, it is generally well-tolerated. No known risks are associated with attending these sessions or completing the questionnaires. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about sleep health education for university students because it targets the root cause of sleep issues: lifestyle and habits. Unlike traditional treatments like medication, which can have side effects or only offer temporary relief, this educational approach empowers students with knowledge and strategies to improve their sleep naturally and sustainably. By focusing on behavior change and self-awareness, it aims to provide long-term benefits without the need for ongoing medication or interventions. This method is unique as it not only addresses sleep problems directly but also promotes overall well-being and academic performance.

What evidence suggests that this psychoeducational intervention is effective for improving sleep health in university students?

Research has shown that sleep education programs can help college students improve their sleep habits. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will receive a sleep health education program. One study found that a short online program called "Sleep 101" successfully improved students' sleep behaviors. Many college students experience sleep problems, with up to 75% facing occasional issues. Learning about sleep can enhance both sleep and academic performance. Understanding sleep health and using simple strategies can benefit students with sleep difficulties. Participants in the waitlist control group will complete assessments initially and receive the intervention after a waiting period, allowing for pre- and post-intervention comparisons. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for university students who have a learning disability and are interested in improving their sleep health. Participants should be willing to attend three evening sessions over three weeks, complete online questionnaires, and keep a sleep diary.

Inclusion Criteria

Students registered at Université Laval (either part-time or full-time)

With or without any sleep difficulties

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with a chronic condition like diabetes or cancer.

I use prescription medication to help me sleep.

Currently with a suicidal risk

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive a psychoeducational intervention consisting of three structured sessions over three weeks, focusing on sleep health knowledge, behavioral strategies, and stress management.

3 weeks

3 sessions (in-person, 1.5 hours each)

Follow-up

Participants complete online questionnaires and a sleep diary to assess sleep habits, beliefs, and mental health indicators at multiple time points.

3 months

Process Evaluation

Evaluation of participants' comprehension, adherence, and the accessibility and relevance of intervention content immediately after the intervention.

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Sleep health education

Trial Overview The study tests a psychoeducational program designed to enhance sleep health among university students. It includes three structured sessions on sleep knowledge, behavioral strategies for better sleep, and stress coping mechanisms related to sleep.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Waitlist control group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants assigned to the waitlist control group complete a baseline assessment (T0), a second assessment after 3 weeks of waiting (T1), and then receive the intervention. They are assessed again after the intervention (T2) and at 3-month follow-up (T3). This design allows for pre- and post-intervention comparisons while ensuring delayed access to the program.

Group II: Intervention group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants assigned to the intervention group will receive first the intervention. They will complete various assessment at baseline (T0), post-intervention after the 3 weeks of intervention (T1), and 3 months after the end of the intervention (T2).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Laval University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

439

Recruited

178,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

An online 10-week course significantly increased university students' sleep knowledge from a mean score of 3.0 to 4.2 out of 5, with 91% reporting greater knowledge at the 6-month follow-up.

While the course improved students' attitudes towards sleep and reduced sleep latency from 33.3 to 25.6 minutes, it did not lead to significant changes in overall sleep quality or behaviors, indicating a need for more comprehensive behavioral change strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of an Online Sleep and Circadian Education Program on University Students' Sleep Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours. Semsarian, CR., Rigney, G., Cistulli, PA., et al.[2021]

A psychoeducational program called 'Sleep 101' significantly improved sleep hygiene knowledge and reduced negative beliefs about sleep among college students, as shown by a study involving sleep log recordings and workshops.

Participants in the Sleep 101 program experienced shorter sleep onset times compared to those in the control group, suggesting that such brief educational interventions can effectively promote healthier sleep practices in young adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A "Sleep 101" Program for College Students Improves Sleep Hygiene Knowledge and Reduces Maladaptive Beliefs about Sleep. Kloss, JD., Nash, CO., Walsh, CM., et al.[2022]

A simple education program that included a 90-minute lecture and a 2-week practice session significantly improved sleep knowledge and habits among 6th-year medical students, with notable enhancements in sleep quality and attitudes towards sleep management.

Students who participated in both the lecture and practice learning session showed greater improvements in sleep-related issues, such as nightmares and daytime sleepiness, compared to those who only attended the lecture, highlighting the effectiveness of hands-on practice in medical education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Preparation and effect of a behavioral science-based education program for sleep improvement among medical students]. Ueda, M., Adachi, Y., Hayama, J., et al.[2011]

Citations

1. cdc.gov cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2022/22_0060.htm

Psychosocial Correlates of Insomnia Among College ... Previous research showed that up to 75% of college students reported occasional sleep disturbances, while 15% reported overall poor sleep ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4075951/

Causes and consequences of sleepiness among college ... Daytime sleepiness, sleep deprivation, and irregular sleep schedules are highly prevalent among college students, as 50% report daytime sleepiness and 70% ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590142725000229

Promoting Sleep Health in Undergraduate Education College courses present a unique opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of young adults by teaching about sleep health. Undergraduate ...

4. aasm.org aasm.org/college-students-getting-enough-sleep-is-vital-to-academic-success/

College students: getting enough sleep is vital to academic ... Students with symptoms of sleep disorders are more likely to receive poor grades in classes such as math, reading and writing than peers without ...

5. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07448481.2024.2418537

The impact of an online sleep education program ... Conclusions: These findings suggest that a brief online program like “Sleep 101” can effectively improve sleep behaviors among college students and might be a ...

6. healthpromotion.uga.edu healthpromotion.uga.edu/sleep/

Sleep - Health Promotion Recent research on college students and sleep indicates that insufficient sleep impacts our health, our moods, our GPA and our safety.

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1270426/full

The quality of sleep: evaluation among university students Results: Overall, 88% of men and 94.5% of women had Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores of ≥5 and a mean PSQI score of 9.2 ± 3.

8. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/sleep/article/48/Supplement_1/A158/8135900

0364 Rates of Insufficient Sleep in University Students from ... During the earliest study wave, 39.5% of students indicated obtaining sufficient sleep ≤2 days/week (i.e., likely only on weekends); two decades ...