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NCT Number: NCT07277062

Optimisation and Evaluation of a Just-in-time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) for Sleep and Circadian Problems (Phase I and II)

The JITAI approach holds considerable promise for addressing current challenges in mHealth, including the limitations in supporting real-time monitoring, timely intervention, and poor adherence. However, research on JITAIs in the field of behavioural sleep medicine is still in its infancy. Leveraging existing pilot data, this project will entail a micro-randomised trial (MRT) designed to optimise the JITAI components and a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to examine the efficacy of the optimised JITAI on sleep and circadian functions. Specifically, research has indicated that contextually tailored suggestions are more effective in promoting health behaviors compared to generic messages. This study will include personalised, in-the-moment actionable suggestions based on the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TranS-C) to evaluate their efficacy in contrast to generic messages and no notifications.

The proposed project will have three phases. Phase I will be the technological advancement of the JITAI app, GoodShleep. Based on research findings, additional intervention engagement strategies will be added to improve adherence, including personalisation (i.e., personalised feedback and intervention content), gamification (i.e., goal setting and rewards for a completed mission), and reminders (i.e., push notifications). The refined app will be beta-tested by the research team and five individuals experiencing sleep or circadian problems to ensure the app's functionality and usability. Issues that may arise during Phase I will be resolved prior to commencing Phase II.

Phase II will be an MRT aiming to optimise the advanced GoodShleep alongside wearable devices and ecological momentary assessment (EMA). A total of 77 participants with sleep or circadian problems will participate in the JITAI through the advanced GoodShleep, which will comprise (1) an 8-week, smartphone-based JITAI on TranS-C; (2) EMA prompted by push notifications to detect sleep-wake regularity and mood status; and (3) 24-hour real-time wearables assessing sleep and activity. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive contextually personalised suggestions, generic messages, and no notifications based on our micro-randomised algorithm.

Phase III will involve an RCT to evaluate the optimised JITAI app, GoodShleep + in both short- (immediately after intervention) and medium-term (12 weeks after intervention). Eighty participants with sleep and circadian problems will be randomised into the optimised JITAI (GoodShleep+) and the care-as-usual (CAU) group in a 1:1 allocation ratio. The JITAI (GoodShleep) will be adjusted and finalised based on the findings from Phase II to transform into the optimised JITAI (GoodShleep+). The GoodShleep+ group will receive an 8-week, smartphone-based GoodShleep+ based on TranS-C. The CAU group will not receive the GoodShleep+ but will have access to usual care based on their needs and preferences. The CAU group will receive GoodShleep+ after completing all the assessments. Major assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediate post-intervention and 12-week follow-up. Participants' sleep conditions will be evaluated using the brief consensus sleep diary and wearables. Activity levels will be measured using wearables at multiple time points. Mood status will be assessed using selected items from PANAS-SF. Participants' weekly sleep and circadian functions will be monitored using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sleep Disturbance (SD) and Sleep-Related Impairment (SRI). Other outcomes will include sleep quality, anxiety and depression symptoms, sleep-related cognitions, overall daytime sleepiness, fatigue, quality of life and functional impairment. Intervention acceptability and intervention adherence will also be assessed.

The current registration is only for Phase I and II of the current research project.

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Key information

Conditions

Sleep and Circadian Problems Dyssomnias Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders Sleep Wake Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18 to 65 years living in Hong Kong
  • Chinese language fluency and literacy
  • Experiencing ≥1 sleep or circadian problems for 3 months based on the Sleep and Circadian Problems Interview, an adapted version of the Insomnia Interview Schedule (i.e., time needed to fall asleep ≥30 minutes for ≥3 nights per week, wake after sleep onset ≥30 minutes for ≥3 nights per week, <6-hour sleep per night or ≥9-hour sleep per night per 24hour period for ≥3 nights per week, variability in the sleepweek schedule ≥2.78 hours within a week, and falling asleep after 2:00 AM on ≥3 nights per week)
  • One or more PROMIS-Sleep Disturbance (PROMIS-SD) item scores ≥4 after reverse scoring
  • Having adequate opportunity and circumstances for sleep to occur
  • Installing the JITAI app in an Internet-enabled mobile device (iOS or Android operating system)
  • Are willing to provide informed consent and comply with the trial protocol

Exclusion criteria

  • Involving in any psychological treatment for sleep disturbances in the past 6 months
  • Self-report of a significant untreated severe mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder)
  • Presence of medical or cognitive disorder(s), or side effects of medication that contribute significantly to sleep or circadian problems or make participation challenging based on the team's clinical judgement
  • Working night shift (>2 nights per week) in the past 3 weeks (i.e., regularly scheduled work from 12AM to 6AM)
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Having a medical or psychiatric condition where sleep restriction is deemed unsuitable due to potential worsening of the condition.

Other Criteria:

  • Individuals who have sleep apnoea or periodic limb movement disorder commonly experience co-occurring insomnia will be included in the study due to the potential benefits they may derive from TranS-C
  • To allow for greater generalisability, this study will not exclude those with mental disorders whose conditions are stable based on the research team's judgement
  • If serious suicidal risk (i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire Item 9 score >2) is identified, the participant will be referred to the PA (a clinical psychologist) for further assessment and professional mental health services, if needed
  • Medication use and changes will be recorded.

Treatment and study plan

Just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) based on TranS-C (GoodShleep)

Behavioral

GoodShleep will comprise (1) an 8-week, smartphone-based JITAI on TranS-C; (2) EMA prompted by push notifications to detect sleep-wake regularity and mood status; and (3) 24-hour real-time wearables assessing sleep and activity.

The TranS-C materials will be presented in text format supplemented with diagrams, video/audio clips, quizzes, and culturally relevant examples. Across the 8 sessions, 4 cross-cutting modules will be introduced, including case formulation, sleep and circadian education, motivational interviewing, and goal setting. In addition, the participants will receive 4 core modules addressing sleep-wake regularity, daytime functioning, correcting beliefs, and maintaining behavioral change. Additionally, 5 selected optional modules will be delivered based on the participant's sleep-wake features and presentations addressing sleep efficiency, excessive time in bed, delayed/advanced sleep phase, sleep-related worry, and nightmares.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Sleep Disturbance (PROMIS-SD)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    8-item scales to assess sleep and circadian functions and impairments

  2. Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Sleep-Related Impairment (PROMIS-SRI)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    8-item scales to assess sleep and circadian functions and impairments

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    A 19-item scale assessing sleep quality over the past month

  2. Change in 7-day Consensus Sleep Diary

    Time frame: 8-week daily survey

    Records sleep time, wake time, perceived sleeping quality, and use of hypnotics on a daily basis

  3. Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    A 14-item scale measuring anxiety and depression in both hospital and community settings

  4. Change in 16-item version of the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS-16)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    A 16-item scale to assess sleep-related cognitions

  5. Change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    An 8-item scale designed to evaluate overall daytime sleepiness

  6. Change in Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    A 20-item instrument designed to measure fatigue symptoms

  7. Change in Short Form (6-Dimension) Health Survey (SF-6D)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    A preference-based single-index measure of the quality of life

  8. Change in Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    A 5-item scale to assess functional impairment in work/school, social life and family life

  9. Change in Treatment Acceptability/Adherence Scale (TAAS)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    A 10-item scale of the willingness to utilise or recommend the intervention

  10. Change in Credibility-Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ)

    Time frame: Baseline, immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    A 6-item scale used to yield ratings of intervention credibility and the expectation of success

  11. Change in System Usability Scale (SUS)

    Time frame: Immediate post-intervention assessment (Week 9)

    A 10-item scale evaluating the usability perception of an app

  12. Change in wearable-derived rest-activity data

    Time frame: 8-week on a daily basis, 24 hours a day

    24-hour rest-activity data will be collected using research-grade wearables (actigraphy). Participants will be instructed to wear the device on their non- dominant wrist, 24 hours a day, for 8 consecutive weeks, with exceptions during water sports activities.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Optimisation and Outcome Evaluation of a Just-in-time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) for Sleep and Circadian Problems: A Micro-randomised Trial and a Randomised Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2029
First posted
Dec 11, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 11, 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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