Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia Versus Sleep Hygiene for Sleep Difficulties in Early Pregnancy

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Sleep Hygiene Workshop: Psychoeducation on the perinatal period and sleep difficulties including principles of sleep hygiene conducive environment for sleep, bedtime routine, food, beverage, and stimulant consumption, exercise

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia Workshop: The CBT-I workshop group contains empirically supported strategies for insomnia modified to target the transitions and concerns faced by perinatal individuals. Content includes Sleep drive, stimulus control, sleep restriction, counter-arousal techniques, cognitive restructuring

Study summary

Pregnant and postpartum individuals often have difficulty sleeping and these sleep problems can negatively impact both the parent and infant. Research suggests that pregnant individuals prefer non-medication-based treatment for their sleep difficulties but there is a lack of research on the success of sleep treatment during pregnancy. Currently, there are two main non-medical treatments for sleep difficulties available. The first, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is the first treatment recommended for insomnia and has been found to successfully treat insomnia during pregnancy and the postpartum period. In addition, shortened sessions of CBT for insomnia have also been found to successfully reduce sleep difficulties. The second option is sleep hygiene education which is the most commonly offered treatment for sleep difficulties and has been found to improve sleep problems. The present study will compare the effectiveness of a CBT for insomnia group workshop to a Sleep Hygiene group workshop.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) — Throughout the duration of the study (average of 10 months), change will be assessed at three timepoints: pre-treatment baseline (prior to 26 weeks gestation), post-treatment (up to 34 weeks gestation), and again at 12 weeks postpartum.
  The ISI is a 7-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia. Items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 ('no problem') to 4 ('very severe problem') with higher scores reflecting greater insomnia severity. Total scores between 0-7 indicate an absence of insomnia; scores between 8-14 suggest sub-threshold insomnia; scores between 15-21 indicate moderate insomnia; and scores between 22-28 suggest severe insomnia. The ISI has demonstrated good psychometric properties.

Trial sites (1)

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