Become Your Own SLEEPexpert: a Behavioral Treatment Program for Insomnia in Patients With Psychiatric Disorders

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF BERN · Jun 3, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Become Your Own SLEEPexpert," is studying a new program designed to help patients with insomnia who also have severe mental health disorders. Insomnia can be a common problem for these patients, and while a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is known to be effective, it hasn't been widely used in hospitals. Instead, many patients are often prescribed sleeping medications, which can have negative side effects. This study aims to empower patients by teaching them skills to manage their own sleep through a simple and practical program.

To participate, individuals must be 18 years or older, have been diagnosed with insomnia for at least two weeks, and be currently staying in one of the participating psychiatric wards. They should also be able to understand the study and give their consent to join. The trial will compare the new SLEEPexpert program with usual care, helping to determine if the program improves sleep and mental health. Participants can expect support and guidance throughout the program, and those who may not qualify right away due to severe symptoms will be regularly re-evaluated for future participation.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 18 years or older
• • Documented diagnosis of acute insomnia, i.e. insomnia criteria according to ICD-10 for at least 2 weeks
• • Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) total score ≥ 8, equivalent to relevant insomnia
• • Inpatient in one of the two participating psychiatric wards in the UPD Bern
• • Ability to understand the aims and procedures of the study
• • Willingness to participate and ability to provide written informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Incabability of judgement
• • Inability to participate in a low-threshold behavioral treatment program, e.g. due to severe cognitive impairment or high symptom severity precluding participation (e.g., severe catatonic symptoms, massive hallucinations, acute endangerment to self or others, involuntary commitment). Note that the named symptoms will lead to exclusion only if they lead to inability to give informed consent or an inability to participate in the program. Excluded patients will be re-assessed regularly and included if symptoms improve and participation is possible at a later point in time.