Sleep Interventions for Alcohol Use
(MoRA Trial)
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Overseen byMelynda D Casement, PhD
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: University of Oregon
Must not be taking: Neuroleptics, Psoralen, Antiarrhythmics, Antimalarials
Disqualifiers: Severe AUD/SUD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, others
No Placebo Group
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?This research will use biobehavioral approaches to generate understanding about the linkages between stressful life events, sleep duration and timing, and alcohol use in young adults, with a long-term aim of developing effective preventative interventions for alcohol use disorders.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial protocol does not specify if you must stop taking your current medications, but it mentions that you should not begin or change prescribed medications close to the study period. If you use melatonin, you will need to stop for the duration of the study.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Regular sleep duration and timing, Regular sleep schedule, Healthy sleep habits, Adequate sleep duration, Sleep extension and advance, Sleep extension therapy, Gradual sleep extension, Sleep advancement therapy for alcohol use?
Research shows that improving sleep regularity and timing can enhance sleep quality in individuals with alcohol dependence. A study found that participants with alcohol dependence who improved their sleep regularity experienced better sleep quality and reduced mental and physical exhaustion.
12345Is maintaining a regular sleep schedule safe for humans?
Research on sleep interventions, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, generally suggests they are safe for humans. Studies have shown that improving sleep regularity can enhance sleep quality and reduce sleepiness without significant adverse effects.
12467How does this sleep intervention treatment differ from other treatments for alcohol use?
This treatment is unique because it focuses on improving sleep quality through education and behavioral changes, such as stopping alcohol intake at bedtime, rather than using medication. It highlights the connection between sleep and alcohol use, offering a non-drug approach to potentially enhance sleep and reduce alcohol consumption.
12489Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for English-speaking young adults aged 18-24 who engage in high-risk drinking as defined by NIAAA and have specific sleep patterns. They must have experienced moderate stress in their lifetime but can't participate if they've recently traveled across time zones, changed medications, or are at risk of suicide.Inclusion Criteria
Have short and late sleep or long and early sleep as determined by the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire
Have at least moderate lifetime exposure to stressors
Meet NIAAA criteria for past-month high-risk drinking
+3 more
Exclusion Criteria
Acute alcohol intoxication on the days of the laboratory post-intensive visits
Lifetime diagnosis of bipolar or schizophrenia spectrum disorder
I do not have serious heart issues, neurological disorders, or a history of significant head injuries.
+13 more
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
2-4 weeks
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Participants follow either the 'Owl Routine' or 'Lark Routine' to assess the impact of sleep duration and timing on alcohol use and brain function
8 weeks
4 visits (in-person)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in alcohol use and brain function after the treatment phase
2 months
2 visits (virtual)
Participant Groups
The study investigates how life stress and sleep habits (both duration and timing) relate to alcohol use in young adults. It aims to understand these connections better to eventually help prevent alcohol use disorders.
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Sleep extension and advance "Lark Routine"Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants go to bed 90 minutes earlier than their typical average bedtime to extend sleep duration and advance sleep timing
Group II: Regular sleep duration and timing "Owl Routine"Active Control1 Intervention
Participants go to bed at their typical average bedtime
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Oregon Sleep LabEugene, OR
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of OregonLead Sponsor
University of PittsburghCollaborator
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)Collaborator
References
Pilot study on the effects of a 1-day sleep education program: influence on sleep of stopping alcohol intake at bedtime. [2021]The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate whether sleep was improved by a 1-day sleep education program in an occupational setting and whether stopping alcohol intake at bedtime might influence sleep. Subjects were 40 high school employees. The sleep education program lasted 4.5 hours and consisted of sleep science information, and sleep hygiene education including the risk of sleep related breathing disorder resulting from alcohol intake. Sleep conditions were evaluated by self-administered questionnaires at baseline and approximately 1 month later. The mean the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was significantly decreased by 1.2 points (P = 0.04), while the mean sleep duration was significantly decreased by 10 minutes (P = 0.02). Shortened sleep duration coincided with a decrease in sleepiness. This may indicate an improvement in sleep quality. The percentage of habitual alcohol intake at bedtime was significantly decreased (from 38.5% (15/39) to 20.5% (8/39), P = 0.04). Subjects who stopped alcohol intake at bedtime (n = 8) received the most benefit, with decreased scores of ESS and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), although the reductions were not significant. This education program offers the possibility of improving sleep conditions among the general population, especially in those who cease habitual alcohol intake at bedtime. Further larger, randomized, controlled studies are warranted.
Sleep Regularity Index in Patients with Alcohol Dependence: Daytime Napping and Mood Disorders as Correlates of Interest. [2020]Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is often accompanied by comorbid conditions, including sleep disturbances related to sleep regularity and timing. The Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) is a novel measure that assesses the probability that an individual is awake (vs. asleep) at any two time points 24 h apart. We calculated actigraphy-based SRI on 124 participants with alcohol dependence to capture the effects of changes in sleep timing and duration among patients enrolled in an inpatient alcohol treatment program. During the course of the study, the mean SRI increased between weeks 1 and 3 (75.4 to 77.8), thus indicating slightly improved sleep quality and regularity during alcohol treatment. Individuals within the bottom quartile of SRI scores at week 1 improved significantly over time. Average total SRI for individuals with no mood disorders was slightly higher than that for individuals with one or more mood disorders. Increased SRI scores were associated with lower total nap duration from week 1 to week 3. Increased SRI scores were associated with decreased mental/physical exhaustion scores from week 1 to week 3. The SRI could be a target for assessment/intervention in certain sub-groups of individuals undergoing inpatient treatment for AUD.
Sleep in detoxified alcoholics: impairment of most standard sleep parameters and increased risk for sleep apnea, but not for myoclonias--a controlled study. [2019]To assess recently alcohol-abstinent chronic alcoholic patients for selected parameters indicative of sleep quality.
Sleep and circadian risk factors for alcohol problems: a brief overview and proposed mechanisms. [2021]Disturbances in sleep and circadian rhythms may be important, albeit underappreciated, risk factors for the initiation of alcohol use and the escalation of alcohol problems. In this review, we first describe sleep and circadian changes during adolescence and young adulthood. Second, we explain how these sleep/circadian changes intersect with onset and escalation of alcohol use. Third, we briefly note how alcohol use (whether acute or chronic) affects sleep and circadian rhythms. Finally, we articulate a conceptual model containing two mechanistic pathways-broadly positive and negative reinforcement-linking sleep/circadian factors to alcohol involvement before listing key areas we believe are ripe for further inquiry.
Sleep abnormalities during abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients. Aetiology and management. [2018]Virtually every type of sleep problem occurs in alcohol-dependent patients. Typically, these individuals take a longer time to fall asleep and show decreased sleep efficiency, shorter sleep duration and reduced amounts of slow wave sleep when compared with healthy controls. Their sleep patterns are fragmented, and the typical time course of electroencephalogram (EEG) delta wave activity is severely disrupted. The amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep may be reduced or increased. Sleep changes can persist during months or years of abstinence, and recent studies indicate that certain alterations in sleep architecture, as well as subjective sleep complaints, predict relapse to alcoholism. The mechanisms of action of short and long term alcohol administration on sleep are incompletely understood. They may arise from an interaction with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), adenosine or other neurotransmitter systems. While only a few pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies to improve or normalise disturbed sleep in individuals who have recovered from alcoholism have been studied, the use of benzodiazepines, other hypnosedatives or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is not recommended. Therapies include sleep hygiene, bright light therapy, meditation, relaxation methods, and other nonpharmacological approaches. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between sleep, sleep abnormalities and alcoholism, and to establish new approaches to improve sleep in alcohol-dependent patients and to prevent withdrawal reactions that affect sleep during abstinence.
Dose-response effects of ethanol on the sleep of young women. [2019]In healthy young women, rapid eye movement sleep decreased, slow-wave sleep increased, sleep-onset latency decreased and late-night disturbance of sleep increased with increasing doses of alcohol.
Alcohol and sleep I: effects on normal sleep. [2022]This review provides a qualitative assessment of all known scientific studies on the impact of alcohol ingestion on nocturnal sleep in healthy volunteers. At all dosages, alcohol causes a reduction in sleep onset latency, a more consolidated first half sleep and an increase in sleep disruption in the second half of sleep. The effects on rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in the first half of sleep appear to be dose related with low and moderate doses showing no clear trend on REM sleep in the first half of the night whereas at high doses, REM sleep reduction in the first part of sleep is significant. Total night REM sleep percentage is decreased in the majority of studies at moderate and high doses with no clear trend apparent at low doses. The onset of the first REM sleep period is significantly delayed at all doses and appears to be the most recognizable effect of alcohol on REM sleep followed by the reduction in total night REM sleep. The majority of studies, across dose, age and gender, confirm an increase in slow wave sleep (SWS) in the first half of the night relative to baseline values. The impact of alcohol on SWS in the first half of night appears to be more robust than the effect on REM sleep and does not appear to be an epiphenomenon REM sleep reduction. Total night SWS is increased at high alcohol doses across gender and age groups.
Using Web-Based Social Media to Recruit Heavy-Drinking Young Adults for Sleep Intervention: Prospective Observational Study. [2021]Novel alcohol prevention strategies are needed for heavy-drinking young adults. Sleep problems are common among young adults who drink heavily and are a risk factor for developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Young adults, interested in the connection between sleep and alcohol, are open to getting help with their sleep. Therefore, sleep interventions may offer an innovative solution. This study evaluates social media advertising for reaching young adults and recruiting them for a new alcohol prevention program focused on sleep.
Sleep quality during alcohol withdrawal with bright light therapy. [2019]1. Alcohol withdrawal is a complex syndrome that ranges from anxiety, insomnia to delirium tremens. Common treatment is the application of sedative medication. Exposure to bright light in the daytime should advance the normal sleep/wake cycle and moreover it should improve the availability of man's adaptive behavior during alcohol withdrawal. 2. This pilot study describes bright light therapy (BL) during alcohol withdrawal in ten alcohol dependent patients (DSM-III-R: 291.80) without any sedative medication. BL (3000 Lux) was administered on day 3 of abstinence between 7.00-9.00 a.m. and 5.00-9.00 p.m. Total-sleep-polysomnography (recordings between 10.30 p.m.-6.00 a.m.) and self-rating scale were performed to compare intraindividual changes during three nights. After one adaptation night (immediately after alcohol withdrawal), one baseline night and one "BL-night" and one "post-BL night" were analysed. 3. At baseline, total sleep time and sleep efficiency were severely deteriorated, but tended to improve in the following nights after BL. Sleep onset latency showed a significant decline after BL. Stages 3 and 4 were reduced at baseline. Latencies to slow wave sleep were significantly shortened after BL. REM increased in the nights after BL. Subjective sleep quality improved after BL. Although the present results, bright light having a possible stabilizing effect on sleep maintenance and sleep architecture during acute alcohol withdrawal, the authors could only derive hypotheses for further ongoing controlled investigations using placebo light, to receive final verification.