Effects of combining digital therapy for insomnia with objective sleep tracking and feedback on sleep: A randomised controlled trial

Alexandra Hinterberger*, Esther-Sevil Eigl, Robyn Schwemlein, Pavlos Topalidis, Manuel Schabus

*Korrespondierende/r Autor/-in für diese Arbeit

Publikation: KonferenzbeitragPosterPeer-reviewed

Abstract

Introduction:
Due to the gap in non-pharmacological insomnia treatment, effective and validated digital solutions are urgently needed. So far, digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) options comprise a therapy program and subjective sleep measurement in form of a sleep diary. Objective sleep measurement is usually not included. Here, we evaluated the effects of a CBT-I-based app (NUKKUAA®) combining sleep training with subjective and objective sleep monitoring using a heart rate (HR) sensor. A RCT study was conducted to investigate effects on sleep and subjective-objective sleep discrepancies (SOSD).
Method:
Fifty-seven volunteers (20–76 years; MAge = 45.67 ± 16.38; 39 female) suffering from sleep problems were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG, n = 28) or a waitlist control group (CG, n = 29). During the 6-week intervention phase, the EG used the CBT-I-based programme and daily subjective and objective sleep monitoring as well as feedback on their sleep, while the CG used sleep monitoring only. Sleep was measured (i) subjectively via questionnaires (Insomnia Severity Index, ISI; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), (ii) objectively via ambulatory polysomnography (PSG), and (iii) continuously via HR sensor and sleep diaries.
Results:
Data revealed interactions for ISI (p = 0.003, ƞ2 part = 0.11) and PSQI (p = 0.050, ƞ2 part = 0.05), indicating training-specific improvements in EG, yet not in CG. While PSG-derived outcomes appear to be less training-specific, a tendential reduction in wake after sleep onset (WASO) was found in EG (p = 0.061, d = 0.55). Regarding changes in SOSD, the results indicate improvements during the app phase (EG) for sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and WASO (p ≤ 0.022, d ≥ 0.46); for total sleep time both groups showed a SOSD reduction.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate beneficial effects of a novel smartphone app on sleep and SOSD. More scientific evaluation of such digital programmes is needed to ultimately help in reducing the gap in non-pharmacological insomnia treatment and provide affected individuals with sufficient treatment options and effective, low-threshold support for their sleep problems.
Conflict of Interest: Yes- MS is Co-Founder and CSO of NUKKUAA®. AH and E-SE received an honorarium for data collection from the NUKKUAA GmbH.
OriginalspracheEnglisch
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 26 Sept. 2024
VeranstaltungThe 27th Conference of the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) 2024 - Fibes – Conference and Exhibition, Seville, Spanien
Dauer: 24 Sept. 202427 Sept. 2024

Konferenz

KonferenzThe 27th Conference of the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) 2024
KurztitelSleep Europe 2024
Land/GebietSpanien
OrtSeville
Zeitraum24/09/2427/09/24

Systematik der Wissenschaftszweige 2012

  • 501 Psychologie

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