100 Participants Needed

Cognitive Training for Sleep and Well-being

SW
Overseen BySarah Wu
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Carnegie Mellon University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests two smartphone-based programs designed to help first-year college students manage stress and improve sleep and mental health. One program uses personalized mindfulness techniques, while the other focuses on problem-solving strategies. The researchers aim to determine which method is more engaging and effective in reducing stress and improving outcomes such as sleep, mood, and grades. It is suitable for first-year students at Carnegie Mellon University who have a smartphone and are on campus for the spring semester. As an unphased trial, this study provides students the opportunity to explore innovative stress management techniques that could enhance their college experience.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that mindfulness meditation can improve sleep quality. However, 25-87% of practitioners report some negative effects, with 3-37% experiencing issues that affect daily life. While many benefit, some might face challenges.

For stress management training, detailed information is lacking. Generally, managing stress can enhance sleep and overall well-being, but specific data on negative effects for such programs is unavailable.

Overall, both mindfulness meditation and stress management rely on proven methods that aid stress and sleep. However, like any treatment, they might not work for everyone. Consider how these findings might relate to individual circumstances.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the trial for Cognitive Training for Sleep and Well-being because it explores innovative, smartphone-based methods like Mindfulness Meditation and Stress Management Training. These approaches are unique because they offer a convenient, personalized way to improve sleep and well-being without the need for medication. Unlike traditional treatments that often involve pharmaceuticals, which can have side effects, these methods focus on mental training and coping strategies, potentially leading to a more natural, holistic improvement in sleep and stress management. The trial seeks to determine if these digital interventions can effectively enhance well-being with just minutes of daily practice.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for stress and stress-related outcomes?

Research has shown that practicing mindfulness meditation, one of the interventions in this trial, can greatly improve sleep and lower stress levels. Studies have found that participants in mindfulness programs experience less trouble sleeping, feel less tired, and have fewer symptoms of depression compared to others. Over 200 studies confirm that mindfulness helps people sleep better and feel less stressed. Similarly, stress management training, another intervention in this trial, proves effective. It helps people handle stress better, sleep well, and feel healthier overall. This training has boosted academic performance and mental health. Both mindfulness and stress management offer promising ways to reduce stress and improve sleep, especially for college students.16789

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for first-year college students who are interested in trying digital programs to reduce stress and improve sleep, well-being, and academic success. The study specifically looks at the effects of personalized mindfulness training versus a problem-solving based stress management program.

Inclusion Criteria

Have a data-enabled smartphone
Speak English
On CMU's Pittsburgh campus for the duration of the Spring 2026 semester
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

Not enrolled full-time as a student
I am younger than 18.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline measures of stress, psychological well-being, and health behaviors

1 week

Intervention

Participants undergo a 14-day smartphone-based intervention with either mindfulness or stress management training

2 weeks
Daily audio-guided lessons

Post-Intervention Assessment

Participants complete online surveys and daily diaries to assess thoughts, feelings, and experiences

1-2 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in stress, sleep, and other outcomes

2 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Equa

Trial Overview

The trial tests two digital interventions: 'Equa', a personalized mindfulness program tailored for college students, and 'MyTime', a problem-solving based stress management program. It aims to compare their effectiveness in reducing student stress and improving sleep duration, mental health, and grades.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Active Control

Group I: Mindfulness MeditationActive Control1 Intervention
Group II: Stress Management TrainingActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Carnegie Mellon University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
80
Recruited
540,000+

Citations

The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality

There was moderate strength of evidence that mindfulness meditation interventions significantly improved sleep quality compared with nonspecific active controls ...

Mindfulness meditation and exercise both improve sleep ...

Training in MBSR and EX produced small but statistically significant and sustained improvements in sleep quality.

Mindfulness meditation helps fight insomnia, improves sleep

Compared with the people in the sleep education group, those in the mindfulness group had less insomnia, fatigue, and depression at the end of ...

Mindfulness meditation: A research-proven way to reduce ...

Researchers reviewed more than 200 studies of mindfulness among healthy people and found mindfulness-based therapy was especially effective for reducing stress ...

The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a ...

These preliminary findings suggest that mindfulness meditation may be effective in treating some aspects of sleep disturbance.

Adverse effects of meditation and mindfulness in clinical ...

Recent studies reveal that 25–87 % of those who engage in meditation report adverse effects (AEs), with 3–37 % experiencing functional impairment (e.g., ...

Meditation and Mindfulness: Effectiveness and Safety | NCCIH

The results of the study showed that meditation was as effective as prolonged exposure therapy at reducing PTSD symptoms and depression, and it ...

Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Duration and Type on Well ...

Well-being and mindfulness scores increased—and distress scores decreased—within all four conditions. However, most importantly, there were no ...

Systematic review and individual participant data meta- ...

Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) are widely used to prevent mental ill health. Evidence suggests beneficial average effects but wide variability.