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Effects of digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia on cognitive function: study protocol for a randomised
Simon D Kyle1, Madeleine E D Hurry2,3, Richard Emsley4
1Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK. simon.kyle@ndcn.ox.ac.uk.
Trials
|June 19, 2017
Summary
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) improves cognitive function in adults with insomnia. This study assessed CBT-I
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Sleep Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Insomnia significantly impacts patients' daily lives, leading to both subjective and objective cognitive deficits.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an effective treatment, but its effects on cognitive function are not well understood.
- Previous trials have used indirect measures or yielded mixed results on objective cognitive performance post-CBT-I.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of digital CBT-I on cognitive functioning using both self-reported and objective measures.
- To determine if improvements in sleep mediate the effects of CBT-I on cognitive performance.
- To provide the first large-scale examination of digital CBT-I's cognitive effects.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial (DISCO trial) involving 404 participants with Insomnia Disorder.
- Participants were randomized to digital automated CBT-I or a wait-list control group.
- Assessments included self-reported cognitive impairment (primary outcome), objective cognitive performance, and sleep measures at baseline, 10 weeks, and 24 weeks.
Main Results:
- Primary outcome: self-reported cognitive impairment at 10 weeks.
- Secondary outcomes: objective cognitive performance, insomnia severity, sleepiness, fatigue, emotional distress.
- Mediation analyses will explore the role of sleep changes in cognitive improvements.
Conclusions:
- This study will provide comprehensive data on the cognitive benefits of digital CBT-I.
- Findings will clarify the relationship between sleep improvement and cognitive enhancement.
- Results will inform clinical practice regarding CBT-I for cognitive dysfunction in insomnia.
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