Adapted Cognitive-behavioral Therapy for Depression and Insomnia
(CBTiA Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byRébecca Robillard

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Ottawa

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study aims to better adapt cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) for people with comorbid depression by using objective sleep measures to tailor the behavioral interventions components of CBTi. Using ambulatory monitors, we also aim to investigate changes in brain activity and heart rate throughout the intervention. In this parallel-group randomized clinical trial, participants undergo one week of baseline ambulatory monitoring after which they are randomly assigned to one of two intervention arms: 1) digitally delivered CBTi (eCBTi) based on standard subjective sleep measures (sleep diary), or 2) eCBTi based on objective sleep measures (EEG headband). The intervention spans over 5-weeks, followed by a week of ambulatory monitoring and follow-up measures one week and one month after the end of the intervention. The study also includes a post-intervention interview to gather feedback on participant experiences. The overall protocol includes online questionnaires and structured clinical interviews assessing sleep, insomnia, and mental health, as well as treatment-related measures before, during, and after the intervention. It is anticipated that eCBTi using objective sleep measures will lead to better treatment acceptability, satisfaction, and effectiveness, including greater improvements in symptoms of insomnia and depression. It is also anticipated that sleep EEG and heart rate profiles will improve along the course of eCBTi.

Research Team

Rébecca Robillard

Principal Investigator

University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at The Royal

Eligibility Criteria

Adults aged 18-65 with major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder, confirmed by specific questionnaire scores, who experience insomnia. Participants must have a smartphone for the sleep intervention app and speak English well enough to consent and follow study instructions. Exclusions include recent time zone travel, certain hairstyles affecting EEG recordings, bipolar/psychotic disorders, brain injury with significant unconsciousness, substance abuse (except tobacco/alcohol), extreme obesity (BMI >45), shift work within a month of entry, other significant health issues or unstable medication use.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with major or persistent depression.

You have sleep problems that are causing noticeable symptoms.

I am between 18 and 65 years old.

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Exclusion Criteria

I am currently taking stimulant medications.

Insufficient English skills to provide informed consent, understand study instructions, or fill out questionnaires

You have certain hairstyles like mini-braids, dreadlocks, hair extensions, or natural afro-hair that might affect the recording of the EEG headband.

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Treatment Details

Interventions

eCBTi-obj (Behavioural Intervention)
eCBTi-subj (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe trial is testing two forms of digitally delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia tailored to people with depression: one based on subjective sleep diaries (eCBTi-subj) and another using objective measures from an EEG headband (eCBTi-obj). The study includes initial monitoring, a 5-week treatment phase with either method randomly assigned, followed by post-treatment monitoring and interviews to assess satisfaction and effectiveness in improving sleep and depression symptoms.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: eCBTi-objExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

In the experimental condition, participants will complete a 5-week eCBTi program delivered via a mobile application while wearing an EEG headband (Muse S) during sleep. As part of the sleep restriction therapy component of CBTi, participants will be asked to follow an individualized sleep window (i.e., bed and wake schedule) which will be adjusted each week based on objective sleep data derived from their EEG recordings from the previous week. Participants will also receive a weekly sleep report based on this data.

Group II: eCBTi-subjActive Control1 Intervention

In the active comparator condition, participants will complete the same 5-week eCBTi program, but will not be wearing an EEG headband during the intervention. As part of the sleep restriction therapy component of CBTi, participants will be asked to follow an individualized sleep window (i.e., bed and wake schedule) which will be adjusted each week based on the subjective sleep data derived from their sleep diary of the previous week, as is typically done during classical CBTi. Participants will not receive any EEG-based sleep report during the intervention.