NCT05561829

Determination of Optimal Sleep Treatment Elements - MOST

Determination of Optimal Sleep Treatment Elements (The DOSE Project)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 489 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Aarhus · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Previous research has shown the efficacy of (combinations of) individual components of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), namely sleep hygiene education, sleep restriction, stimulus control therapy, deactivation/relaxation training, and cognitive therapy. However, their relative effects, i.e., their effects in direct comparison with each other, are yet to be assessed. By means of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST), this study aims to investigate the components' relative efficacy in order to identify the most effective component or combination of components for digitized treatment of chronic insomnia. A future study will verify this intervention's effect in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Detailed description

The DOSE Project employs the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) to evaluate the relative efficacy of the individual cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) components. The present study represents the optimization phase of MOST, which aims to identify which combination of CBT-I components produces the best expected outcome, while taking constraints, such as economy, scalability, treatment complexity, and usability, into account. The main objectives of the DOSE Project are 1. To conduct MOST on a multi-component smartphone or web application targeting insomnia 2. To identify the components and combination of components that demonstrate the best expected obtainable outcome 3. To examine potential moderators of the effect of the individual treatment components on insomnia severity, 4. To determine which application build (i.e., combination of components) is optimal to test in a subsequent RCT. This study employs a fractional factorial experimental design conducted with individuals experiencing moderate-to-severe insomnia. With random allocation, participants will receive a version of the application in which one or more of the five core CBT-I components (i.e., sleep hygiene education, sleep restriction, stimulus control therapy, deactivation/relaxation training, cognitive therapy) are presented in various combinations. The intervention lasts 10 weeks, including an initial one-week assessment period. Baseline group differences (concerning socio-demographic, disease-related, and psychosocial data) will be explored to test the success of the randomization. If differences are found, sensitivity analyses will be made to evaluate their possible influence on the results. Main effects will be analysed using Mixed Linear Models (MLMs) based on the intent-to-treat sample, comparing aggregated groups of N = 2 x 320 (e.g., plus/minus sleep restriction or plus/minus sleep hygiene etc.) on all outcome variables. MLMs account for the hierarchical, non-independent nature of the data (i.e., repeated measures nested within patients and treatment conditions), testing the time\*group interaction effect, reflecting the effect of treatment. Moderation analyses will evaluate whether individual differences in various baseline variables (e.g., physical function, expectations, computer proficiency, chronotype, etc.) influence intervention effects.

Conditions

• Insomnia Chronic

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Sleep Optimization	Automated digital administration of a sleep optimization module via mobile or web application, lasting approximately six weeks. Based on the participant's situation and needs, sleep restriction, sleep compression, or circadian-rhythm normalization is advised and conducted. The aim is to optimise the participant's sleep efficiency.
BEHAVIORAL	Stimulus Control Therapy	Automated digital administration of a stimulus control therapy module via mobile or web application, lasting approximately six weeks. The aim is to strengthen associations between sleep and the sleep environment and to eliminate conditioning of non-sleep behavior and the sleep environment.
BEHAVIORAL	Relaxation Training	Automated digital administration of a relaxation training module via mobile or web application, lasting approximately six weeks. The aim is to reduce somatic tension and limit intrusive thought processes that interfere with sleep.
BEHAVIORAL	Cognitive Therapy	Automated digital administration of a cognitive therapy module via mobile or web application, lasting approximately six weeks. The aim is to identify, challenge, and modify dysfunctional beliefs about sleep.
BEHAVIORAL	Sleep Hygiene Education	Automated digital administration of a sleep hygiene education module via mobile or web application, lasting approximately six weeks. The aim is to identify and modify environmental and lifestyle factors that may interfere with sleep.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-09-08
• Primary completion: 2024-05-18
• Completion: 2024-05-18
• First posted: 2022-09-30
• Last updated: 2025-11-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Denmark