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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05226585

Mechanisms of Change in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi)

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of change in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (CBTi) in a sample of adults aged 50-65. This study aims to evaluate the pre-post treatment change in sleep, circadian rhythms, biomarkers, cognitive performance, and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI).

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Key information

Age range

50 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States

About this study

Baseline Part 1:

  • Online demographic and contact information
  • Schedule Baseline Part 2 with the investigators via online link
  • 1 week of daily sleep diaries

Baseline Part 2:

  • Internet-based interview with the investigators to confirm study eligibility requirements
  • Online self-report questionnaires
  • 2 weeks of daily sleep diaries
  • 2 weeks of sleep/wake assessment wearing a watch-like activity monitor (Actiwatch)

Objective Baseline:

  • Single-night, diagnostic in-home sleep study, including and the following equipment:
  • Adhesive patch which will adhere to the arm
  • Sensor belts worn around the chest, fitted with nasal canula, pulse oximeter, and 3 electrodes which will adhere to the back of the neck and behind each ear
  • Next-day appointment:
  • Neuropsychological assessment
  • Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI)
  • Non-invasive blood pressure readings
  • Low-volume Blood draw (used to obtain genetic biomarkers)
  • Removal of adhesive patch
  • Next-day evening (2-nights):
  • Consumable capsule
  • Sensor belt worn around the chest/abdomen Random Assignment: If it is determined the participant is eligible for the study, participants will be randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups (in-person, telehealth or internet delivered) or asked to wait to start treatment.

Treatment Phase I:

  • Participants will complete up to 12 weeks of insomnia treatment or wait for treatment ("waitlist") 12-Week Post-treatment Part 1:
  • Complete 2 weeks of an online daily sleep diary and actigraphy
  • Complete online self-report questionnaires

Objective 12-Week Post-treatment:

  • Repeat "Objective Baseline" outlined above

Treatment Phase II (WLC):

  • Treatment will start for participants who had been assigned to the waitlist condition 3-Month Follow-Up:
  • Complete online self-report questionnaires

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 50-65
  • Normal hearing with or without hearing aids
  • Ability to speak and read English and ability to give informed consent
  • Possession of a computer with video and audio capabilities
  • Meets DSM-5 Criteria for Insomnia Disorder
  • Internet speed sufficient for participating in teletherapy (e.g., Zoom Health) or SHUTi (for iCBTi group)
  • MoCA scores ≥24 will be deemed normal cognitive status and considered eligible for study participation and/or assessed by the ability to comprehend the baseline screening questionnaires
  • Willing to refrain from new external behavioral health or medication treatment for issues pertaining to sleep during participation in the study
  • Indication that the individual plans to be in the area for the 6 months following the first baseline assessment

Exclusion criteria

  • Failure to meet the above "inclusion criteria"
  • Current circadian rhythm disorder, sleep deprivation, or hypersomnia and related sleep disorders (assessed with clinical interview and/or self-report) as CBTi has not been validated in these populations. Verified by self-report and/or clinical interview (SCISD-R)
  • Untreated sleep disordered breathing (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea) assessed by self-report, clinical interview, and/or diagnostic sleep study (i.e., baseline sleep study PSG)
  • Failing to meet criteria for MRI scan (e.g., having metallic implants); see Pre-screen MRI Checklist for full list of exclusions for MRI scans.
  • Fear/phobia of needles (conflict with blood draw) and/or small spaces (conflict with MRI scanner)
  • Current suicide risk meriting crisis intervention as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and/or disclosure of serious suicidal ideation
  • Pregnancy (self-report, proposed instruments and treatments have not been validated in this population)
  • Sleep efficiency > 85%, assessed by the sleep diary
  • Serious mental health diagnosis (e.g., bipolar disorder or psychosis) assessed by structured interview (M.I.N.I.)
  • Currently engaged in evidence-based psychotherapy for Insomnia (i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) by self-report
  • Failure to follow protocol (e.g., consistent "no show" for appointments, answering questionnaires dishonestly, refusal to complete more than 2 assessments [e.g., fMRI and Neuropsych])

Treatment and study plan

In-Person Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Behavioral

Cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended as a first-line treatment for insomnia (CBTi). CBTi contains the following well-validated components of cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia: stimulus control, sleep compression, sleep hygiene, relaxation training, and cognitive restructuring.

Other names: CBTi

Telehealth Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Behavioral

Telehealth cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended as a first-line treatment for insomnia (CBTi) conducted via audio-video communication. tCBTi contains the following well-validated components of cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia: stimulus control, sleep compression, sleep hygiene, relaxation training, and cognitive restructuring.

Other names: tCBTi

Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Behavioral

Sleep Healthy Using The Internet (SHUTi; aka iCBTi) is a self-guided, fully automated, online CBTi program that includes interactive features: personalized goal setting, graphical feedback based on inputted data, animations/illustrations to enhance comprehension, patient vignettes, and video-based expert explanations.

Other names: iCBTi

Primary outcomes

  1. Insomnia Severity Index

    Time frame: Pre-treatment

    Self-reported severity of insomnia symptoms is assessed once at baseline.

  2. Insomnia Severity Index

    Time frame: During treatment

    Self-reported severity of insomnia symptoms is assessed weekly through the duration of treatment.

  3. Insomnia Severity Index

    Time frame: 12-week Post-treatment

    Self-reported severity of insomnia symptoms is assessed once at posttreatment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Diary-assessed Sleep

    Time frame: Pre-treatment

    Self-reported severity of sleep parameters (e.g., sleep efficiency, total sleep time, total time in bed).

  2. Diary-assessed Sleep

    Time frame: During treatment

    Self-reported severity of sleep parameters (e.g., sleep efficiency, total sleep time, total time in bed).

  3. Diary-assessed Sleep

    Time frame: 12 week Post-treatment

    Self-reported severity of sleep parameters (e.g., sleep efficiency, total sleep time, total time in bed).

Other outcomes

  1. Circadian Rhythm

    Time frame: Pre-treatment

    Circadian rhythms as assessed by core body temperature

  2. Circadian Rhythm

    Time frame: 12 week Post-treatment

    Circadian rhythms as assessed by core body temperature

  3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

    Time frame: Pre-treatment

    Neurological outcomes (e.g., MRI resting-state functional connectivity: cingulate cortex, left insula, left cuneus, and fusiform; salience, executive control, and default mode networks.)

  4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

    Time frame: 12 week Post-treatment

    Neurological outcomes (e.g., MRI resting-state functional connectivity: cingulate cortex, left insula, left cuneus, and fusiform; salience, executive control, and default mode networks.)

  5. Inflammatory Health

    Time frame: 12 week Pre-treatment

    Cytokines (e.g., IL-6, IL-10, TNFalpha, GFAP, Tau, NFL, UCHL1)

  6. Inflammatory Health

    Time frame: 12 week Post-treatment

    Cytokines (e.g., IL-6, IL-10, TNFalpha, GFAP, Tau, NFL, UCHL1)

  7. Evaluation of executive functioning

    Time frame: Pre-treatment

    Neuropsychological tests of executive functioning using a program administered via iPad

  8. Evaluation of episodic memory

    Time frame: Pre-treatment

    Neuropsychological tests of episodic memory using a program administered via iPad

  9. Evaluation of executive functioning

    Time frame: 12 week Post-treatment

    Neuropsychological tests of executive functioning using a program administered via iPad. Due to the nature of these assessments, specific details of the tests cannot be disclosed.

  10. Evaluation of episodic memory

    Time frame: 12 week Post-treatment

    Neuropsychological tests of episodic memory using a program administered via iPad. Due to the nature of these assessments, specific details of the tests cannot be disclosed.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Arizona

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Mechanisms of Change in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi): A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Acronym: CBTi

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Feb 7, 2022
Registry last updated
Apr 16, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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