Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byMark Gluck, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Sleep problems, like insomnia, are common in older African Americans. About 25% of older adults in the US have at least 2 symptoms of insomnia, such as having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good sleep for a month or more. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a recommended non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia. Unlike medicines that might only help for a short time or have many side effects, CBT-I deals with the root causes of insomnia. It helps people change how they think and act about sleep, leading to better habits and attitudes. This can make sleep better for a long time, even after the treatment is over. While CBT-I is commonly used among adults with insomnia, its benefits among older adults and specifically older African American adults are not well understood. Thus, the current pilot study will investigate the feasibility of CBT-I in older African American adults and establish preliminary evidence for the potential benefit of CBT-I on sleep as well as cognition in this population. For this study, participants will be asked to complete pencil-and-paper questionnaires, psychological tests of cognition, 7-day actigraphy, 2 nights of at home sleep monitoring, which collects specific sleep measures such as brain waves and sleep stage timing, and computer-based neuropsychological tests before and after intervention. Study interventions will consist of 8 weekly sleep training sessions via Zoom or a single session of education on strategies to improve sleep quality. Sleep training sessions will include education about strategies to improve sleep quality, changing thought process that contribute to insomnia, training the brain on the optimal sleep environment, and reducing sleep initially to establish a consistent sleep schedule before increasing sleep time. Three months after the post-intervention visit, participants will be asked to come back in for a follow-up evaluation which consists of complete pencil-and-paper questionnaires, psychological tests of cognition, 7-day actigraphy, 2 nights of at home sleep monitoring, and computer-based neuropsychological tests.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older African American adults experiencing insomnia symptoms like trouble falling or staying asleep. Participants should be willing to undergo sleep and cognitive assessments, attend weekly Zoom sessions, and follow the study's procedures.

Inclusion Criteria

I can read and speak English at a 6th grade level or higher.

Self-identify as African American or Black

I am willing to attend 8 CBT-I sessions on Zoom.

+6 more

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently taking medication that affects my sleep.

I have a sleep disorder that is not insomnia.

My frequent awakenings are due to a condition like chronic pain, not just insomnia.

+2 more

Participant Groups

The study tests Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) against basic sleep hygiene education. CBT-I involves changing thoughts and behaviors around sleep through weekly training sessions, while the control group receives a single educational session.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: CBT-IExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Group II: Sleep hygiene educationActive Control1 Intervention