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A Randomised Controlled Trial of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia delivered via Videoconferencing on University Students with Poor Sleep

A randomised controlled trial examining whether Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia delivered in small groups via videoconferencings is effective at improving sleep quality in university students with poor sleep.

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12622000067774
Enrollment
89
Registered
2022-01-20
Start date
2023-01-27
Completion date
2023-08-31
Last updated
2024-05-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

This RCT seeks to evaluate the outcomes of CBT-I delivered via videoconferencing with young adult university students. Self reported sleep quality is the primary outcome in this study.. Outcomes will be compared pre to post treatment with a one month follow up.

Interventions

The intervention in this study will be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) delivered in four weekly, one hour sessions run live in small groups (with a maximum of five students) via videoconferencing. This mode of delivery was chosen as a result of user consultation focus groups run earlier this year with young adult university students. CBT-I has been shown to be efficacious with older adults, but there are few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with young adult university stude

The intervention in this study will be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) delivered in four weekly, one hour sessions run live in small groups (with a maximum of five students) via videoconferencing. This mode of delivery was chosen as a result of user consultation focus groups run earlier this year with young adult university students. CBT-I has been shown to be efficacious with older adults, but there are few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with young adult university students. The same intervention will be given to both the treatment group and the control group after a delay. Weekly group sessions, held using video conferencing via Zoom, will be psychoeducational and interactive in nature, participants will share their experiences and be able to practice skills they learn. The facilitator, a registered psychologist, will be able to give individualised guidance to the participants on how to apply the content of the sessions to their daily lives. Participants will be asked to complete daily tasks, such as recording their sleep, adjusting their sleep times, and writing about their thoughts and emotions related to sleep. These tasks will take approximately 15 minutes per day, on average. Adherence will be monitored with session attendance recorded in each session. Session 1 : Sleep patterns, rhythms and sleep hygiene Sleep needs for young adults, the benefits of good sleep for physical and mental health. Participants will learn the importance of sleep routines and habits. Session 2: Sleep restriction and sleep attitudes and beliefs Learning sleep restriction skills to limit time in bed to improve sleep in the long run. Explore unhelpful beliefs and thoughts about sleep, explore alternative ways to view sleep. Session 3: Managing sleep in times of high stress Coping with exam and assignment time. The effect of poor sleep on learning and memory. Managing emotions to help with sleep, using worry time and problem solving. Session 4: Managing screen time social media use and general trouble shooting Limiting screen time and social media if they have become obstacles to good sleep. Exploring areas of difficulty in applying sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, worry time, managing emotions and challenging unhelpful thoughts about sleep.

Sponsors

The Black Dog Institute
Lead SponsorOther Collaborative groups

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
17 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Aged from 17 to 25 years 2. Enrolled in a university degree at any Australian university 3. Living in Australia and able to attend sessions in the Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) zone or Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) zone. 4. Experiencing sleep difficulties (scores of 10 or greater on the Insomnia Severity Index) 5. Proficient in English language

Exclusion criteria

1. People under 17 or over 25 years of age (this study is focused on emerging adults aged from 18 to 25 years) 2. People with hypersomnolence, narcolepsy, a neurological disorder, schizophrenia or with a history of manic episodes. 3. Current acute suicide risk (scoring more than 21 on the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026