The Sleep Clinic Outcome and Practice Study

Background: Sleep-wake disturbances including insomnia disorder and sleep-wake rhythm disorders disables many aspects of life and is highly prevalent. As one of few treatment options for sleep-wake disturbances, the Sleep Clinic at St. Olavs Hospital offers clinical assessments and treatment for this patient group in Norway. Although the treatment of insomnia disorder is well-described and recommended, there is still a major subgroup that to not benefit from the treatment. Additionally, treatment and outcome of sleep-wake rhythm disorders is little described in clinical settings. A study of clinical practice and outcomes of the treatments in the Sleep Clinic, would give the possibility to illuminate these knowledge gaps.

Aim: Describe the practice (timing and duration) and outcomes of the sleep treatments 1) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia and 2) Chronotherapy for sleep-wake rhythm disorders at the Sleep Clinic at St. Olavs Hospital.

Method: All patients referred to the Sleep Clinic will be asked to participate before the first consultation with a clinician. Patients will be clinically assessed, diagnosed and given treatment as usual. Main outcomes will be self-report questionnaires at treatment termination and the use, timing and duration of specific sleep treatment components logged by the clinician during treatment.

Potential impact: The findings from this research project provides possibilities to improve treatment for sleep-wake disturbances by tailoring the treatment different to respective subgroups. The findings will also contribute to novel knowledge on how to treat patients with sleep-wake rhythm disorders and to what degree they benefit from the treatment in a sleep clinic.

Inclusion criteria

• Referred to the Sleep Clinic at St. Olavs Hospital for an assessment of a sleep-wake disruption.
• Age >= 18 years.
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
• Meeting the diagnostic criteria for at least one of the following disorders: F51.0 Insomnia disorder or G47.2 Sleep-wake rhythm disorders, considered being either: Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, Advanced sleep-wake phase disorder, Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder or Irregular sleep-wake disorder
• Desire non-pharmacological sleep treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals working night shifts or that otherwise have external conditions that result in inadequate sleep opportunity, such as caring for an infant or does not have permanent housing etc.
• Individuals being blind
• Individuals being psychotic
• Individuals having epilepsy
• Individuals having an ongoing substance abuse