Skip to content

Maintaining Behavior Change: An Evaluation of a Habit-based Sleep Health Intervention

Maintaining Behavior Change: An Evaluation of a Habit-based Sleep Health Intervention

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05167695
Enrollment
160
Registered
2021-12-22
Start date
2022-05-04
Completion date
2026-07-01
Last updated
2025-11-05

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

Conditions

Circadian Dysregulation

Keywords

Habits, Circadian, Sleep, transdiagnostic, Intervention

Brief summary

The study will test a sleep-health intervention that leverages the science on habit formation. It will evaluate if adding a text messaging intervention improves habit formation. The participants will be 18-30 years old.

Detailed description

The study will test a sleep-health intervention that leverages the science on habit formation. Additionally, the investigators will evaluate whether adding a text messaging intervention improves habit formation. The participants will be 18-30 years old. This is a distinct developmental period in which priorities shift toward self-sufficiency and personal responsibility, which are supported by developing adaptive habits. Main Aim. To evaluate if adding a text messaging intervention, derived from learning theory, to HABITs improves the utilization of sleep health behavior and improves sleep and circadian outcomes and functioning in the five health-relevant domain outcomes in the short (post-treatment) and longer term (6 and 12-months later), relative to HABITs without text messaging. Main Hypothesis. Relative to HABITs, youth in HABITs+Texts will (a) establish stronger sleep health behavior habits, (b) report utilizing more sleep health behaviors and (c) exhibit improved sleep and circadian functioning and lower health-relevant risk. These effects will be observed at post-treatment as well as 6 and 12-months later. Exploratory Aim: To evaluate if the Habit-based Sleep Health Intervention ('HABITs') is associated with an improvement in the utilization of sleep health behavior, an improvement in sleep and circadian outcomes and an improvement in functioning in the five health-relevant domain outcomes in the short (post-treatment) and longer term (6 and 12-months later), relative to baseline. Exploratory Hypothesis. Combining across the HABITs and HABITs+Texts treatment arms, receiving either intervention will be associated with (a) improved sleep health behavior habits, (b) more utilization of sleep health behaviors, (c) improved sleep and circadian functioning and (d) lower health-relevant risk at post-treatment, 6- and 12-month follow-up, relative to baseline. Additional exploratory analyses: To examine (a) if sleep health behavior that has become habitual mediates the effects of treatment on improvement in sleep, circadian and health outcomes and (b) if intervention effects are moderated by selected variables (e.g., age, sex, minority group, socioeconomic status (SES), season).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALHabit-based Sleep Health Intervention

A novel low-cost approach derived by leveraging the science of habit formation

In addition to the Habit-based Sleep Health Intervention, the participants will also receive the text messaging intervention.

Sponsors

University of California, Berkeley
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Scoring less than or equal to 26 on the Composite Scale of Morningness OR Mid-point of sleep later than 4:30 AM for 18-24 yo and 3:50 AM for 25-30 yo on work-free/weekend days over the past month OR Night-to-night variation in sleep and wake times across one month of 2 hours or more. 2. 'At risk' in one of the five health domains: the emotional domain, the cognitive domain, the behavioral domain, the physical domain and the social domain. Risk is defined as scoring 4 or higher on one item from an adapted version of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale. 3. Age between 18 and 30. 4. English language fluency. 5. Able and willing to give informed assent. 6. If taking medication for sleep, the dose and frequency of use must have been stable for at least 4 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

1. Presence of substance abuse/dependence, mental illness, physical illness, suicidality or developmental disorder only if it makes participation in the study unfeasible or if there is a significant risk of harm and/or decompensation if treatment of that comorbid condition is delayed due to participating in this study. 2. Evidence of sleep apnea, restless legs or periodic limb movements during sleep. Youth presenting with provisional diagnoses of any of these disorders will be referred for a non-study polysomnography evaluation and will be enrolled only if the diagnosis is disconfirmed or if the disorder is treated. 3. Night shifter worker where the shift is scheduled between the hours of midnight to 6am \> 2 nights per week. 4. Pregnancy or breast-feeding.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Self-Report Automaticity Habits Index integrated with the Utilization ScaleChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up16-item; 0-4 scale. Scores can range from 0 to 64 (Higher score means more automaticity in utilization).
Adapted version of the Work and Social Adjustment ScaleChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upA measure of emotional, cognitive, physical, social and behavioral risk. The 5 items are each rated on a 0-8 scale. The 5 individual item scores will be summed into a total score (range: 0 to 40; Higher score means worse outcome).
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System - Sleep Disturbance (PROMIS-SD)Change from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upSum of 8-items rated on a 5-point response scale. Scores can range from 8 to 40 (Higher score means more Sleep Disturbance)
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System - Sleep Related Impairment (PROMIS-SRI)Change from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upSum of 8-items rated on a 5-point response scale. Scores can range from 8 to 40 (Higher score means more Sleep Related impairment)
Composite Scale of MorningnessChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upSum of 13-item; Mix of 4-point and 5-point response scale. Scores can range from 13 (extreme evening) to 55 (extreme morning).
Composite Sleep Health ScoreChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upComposite Sleep Health Score which is defined as the sum of scores on 6 sleep health dimensions: Regularity (Midpoint fluctuation), Satisfaction (Sleep quality question on PROMIS-SD), Alertness (Daytime sleepiness question on PROMIS-SRI), Timing (Mean midpoint), Efficiency (Sleep efficiency) and Duration (Total Sleep Time). The Sleep Health Composite was constructed such that higher score indicates better sleep health.
Utilization ScaleChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up16-item; 0-4 scale. Scores can range from 0 to 64 (Higher score means more utilization).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
PROMIS-Cognitive FunctionChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up6-item; 1-5 response scale. Scores can range from 6-30 (Higher score means better cognitive functioning)
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality IndexChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up19-item. First four items are integer responses. The rest of the items are on a 0-3 scale. Creates 7 composite scores, with the sum of the composite scores ranging from 0 to 21. (Higher score means increased severity of difficulty in all sleep area components).
Sleep DiaryBaseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up(Not a scale); Night-to-night variability in the mid-point of sleep
ActigraphyBaseline to 1-week post treatment(Not a scale); Night-to-night variability in the mid-point of sleep
Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS)Change from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upThree subscales-depression, anxiety, stress-of 7 items each, ranging from 0-3 per item. Subscale scores range from 0-21. Final scores are multiplied by two. Higher scores mean worse outcomes. Total score will also be calculated.
Brief Sensation Seeking ScaleChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up8-item; 5-point response scale; Scores can range from 8 to 40 (Higher score means higher sensation seeking).
Physical Health QuestionnaireChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upSum of 15-item, 0-2 response scale. Scores can range from 0 to 30 (Higher score means worse physical symptoms)
PROMIS-Ability to participateChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up4-item; 1-5 response scale. Scores can range from 4-20 (Higher score means better social functioning)
Ecological Momentary Assessment Composite Risk Score of Functioning - EmotionChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment(Not a scale) Measured via Ecological Momentary Assessment. a 16-item version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule will be administered. The Positivity Ratio will also be calculated.
Ecological Momentary Assessment Composite Risk Score of Functioning - Cognitive DomainChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment(Not a scale) Measured via Ecological Momentary Assessment. Concentration, distractedness and focus are rated on a 5 point scale.
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Composite Risk Score of Functioning - Behavioral DomainChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment(Not a scale) Measured via Ecological Momentary Assessment. The investigators assess eating, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, opioids and prescription and over the counter (OTC) stimulants and sleep aids. Participants will also be asked to list the use of additional psychoactive drugs (e.g. cocaine). The investigators tabulate the average weekly frequency and intake of each substance.
Ecological Momentary Assessment Composite Risk Score of Functioning - Social DomainChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment(Not a scale) Measured via Ecological Momentary Assessment. will assess if the participant is with anyone at the time of the call. Positivity Ratio (see EMA for Emotional Health) will be calculated when the participant is alone, with a family member or with a friend.
Ecological Momentary Assessment Composite Risk Score of Functioning - Physical DomainChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment(Not a scale) Measured via Ecological Momentary Assessment. Physical activity and sedentary behaviors will be assessed.
Self Report Habit Index: Primary habit bundle to buildAt the end of the 2nd through last treatment session, which starts 2 to 3 weeks after the beginning of treatment. Also at 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up6 items rated on 1-5 scale. Scores can range from 1 to 30
Self Report Habit Index: Primary habit bundle to dismantleAt the end of the 2nd through last treatment session, which starts 2 to 3 weeks after the beginning of treatment. Also at 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up6 items rated on 1-5 scale. Scores can range from 0 to 30

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Hip circumferenceChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up(cm)
WeightChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upPounds (lbs)
HeightChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up(cm)
Self Report Habit Index: Secondary habit bundle to dismantleAt the end of the 2nd through last treatment session, which starts 2 to 3 weeks after the beginning of treatment. Also at 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up1 items rated on 1-5 scale. Scores can range from 1 to 5
Adapted version of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (individual items)Change from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upA measure of emotional, cognitive, physical, social and behavioral risk. The 5 items are each rated on a 0-8 scale. The 5 individual item scores will be reported separately (range: 0 to 8; Higher score means worse outcome).
Self Report Habit Index: Secondary habit bundle to buildAt the end of the 2nd through last treatment session, which starts 2 to 3 weeks after the beginning of treatment. Also at 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up1 item rated on 1-5 scale. Scores can range from 1 to 5
ActigraphyChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment(Not a scale); Sleep parameters, including sleep onset time, sleep offset time, and total sleep time, calculated separately for weekdays and weekends.
Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scale (SOCS)Change from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upSum of 20-item, 5-point response scale. Scores can range from 20 to 100 (Higher score means higher compassion for self). Sub-scale items included.
Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire - RevisedChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up4-item. Total scores can range from 3-18 (Higher Score means higher Suicidal ideation) Sub-scale items included.
Alexian Brothers Urge to Self Injure ScaleChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up5-item. 0-6 point scale. Total scores can range from 0-30 (Higher Score means higher Suicidal ideation)
State authenticityChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-upA measure of state authenticity. The 4 items are each rated on a 1-7 scale. The sum is averaged (range 1-7; higher scores mean more authenticity)
Past month estimates of sleep mid-point workfree days and night-to-night sleep variabilityOnce at baselineQuestions to assess mid-point and night-to-night variability eligibility criteria
Sleep Medication LogOnce at baselineQuestions to assess use of medications
Credibility Expectancy QuestionnaireAfter the 2nd treatment session, which is 2 to 3 weeks after the beginning of treatment. Again at the post-treatment assessment which is 1-week post treatmentfirst 3 items are on a 1-9 scale. The final item is on a 0-100 scale. (Higher score means the treatment was evaluated as more credible).
Adverse Events ChecklistAt the 1-week post treatment assessment only16 items to assess adverse events experienced during treatment
Proportion of text messages readAt the 1-week post treatment assessment only1 item rated from 0% to 100%
Script Elicitation WorksheetAfter starting treatment, at the end of the 1st through 3rd treatment session (week 1 through week 3 of treatment)(Not a scale); Individualized for each patient, the worksheet includes primary and secondary habit bundles to build and dismantle (e.g., sleep-onset habits, WASO habits, rise-up habits, daytime habits, sleep efficiency habits), and strategy to dismantle primary and secondary habit bundles (e.g., substitution, removing or curtailing, reorganizing)
Proportion of text message prompts participants responded toAfter the third treatment session to the ninth and final treatment session (week 3 to week 8)(Not a scale) Calculated as the number of times a participant responded to a text prompt, divided by the total number of text prompts sent, and multiplied by 100 to produce a percentage from 0% to 100%. In this trial, the total number of prompts sent to individual participants varied (range: 37 to 105), and the total number of responses from participants ranged from 0 to 76.
Sleep DiaryChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up(Not a scale); Consensus sleep diary variables, including total sleep time, bedtime, and wake-time, calculated separately for weekdays and weekends.
Waist circumferenceChange from baseline to 1-week post treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up(cm)

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 6, 2026