The Effects of Insomnia Treatment on Overnight Regulation of Emotional Memories and Risk for Mental Disorders
NCT ID: NCT06567210
Last Updated: 2025-11-26
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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RECRUITING
NA
98 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2026-01-06
2030-06-30
Brief Summary
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The project will involve at-home assessments and in-lab visits. At-home assessment involves recording sleep and circadian rhythm measures with wearables and daily diaries. Participants will be invited to perform two sleep studies and neuroimaging sessions to investigate the effects of CBCTi on neuroimaging and psychophysiological markers of overnight regulation of emotional distress.
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Detailed Description
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To be enrolled in the study, the participants are required to complete an online prescreening survey followed by a telephone screening interview with further questions and to verbally explain to participants what is required of them in this study. After an interview screening, the participants will receive a finger-pulse oximeter by mail to screen for the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea (3 nights at-home). The device is then returned by pre-paid mail and the recording is analysed to screen for moderate to severe sleep apnoea (oxygen desaturation index ≥ 10). If eligible, the participant will be invited to the Woolcock Institute for a screening visit.
The screening visit starts with a consult with a clinician/physician who performs a medical screening, explains the study, answers questions and addresses concerns, and obtains written informed consent. At the end of the consult, all eligibility criteria have been evaluated and eligible participants are assigned a randomization number i.e., allocated to either the immediate CBCTi-arm or the delayed-start control-arm. The treatment arm consists of an online therapist-guided CBCTi intervention which comprises online sessions to be completed in 8 weeks. Participants in the delayed-start control arm in this study will not receive any active intervention during the first two months but will be offered the same therapist-guided CBCTi program thereafter
During the screening visit, participants will be asked to perform in an audio-visual recording while singing along to "Waltzing Matilda" (karaoke style) and asked to give keywords that relate to at least five negative distressing experiences and an equal number of neutral experiences from the same period. The recording and the keywords will be used to derive the stimuli that are used in the functional MRI tasks (Pre-Post CBCTi). The screening visit is concluded with a demonstration on how to collect data at-home.
Both groups will be asked to perform a week of at-home assessment during 4 timepoints: T0 (baseline), T1 (2 months post-baseline), T2 (4 months post-baseline) and T3 (12 months post-baseline). During the week of at-home assessments, the participants complete questionnaires, keep a sleep diary, and wear an actigraphy-watch, and light and temperature sensor (across 7 days). They are also asked to complete at least four overnight polysomnographic recordings using an EEG headband. At Pre and Post-CBCTi only, they also complete a salivary melatonin collection protocol.
At Pre and Post-CBCTi (i.e., T0 and T1 for immediate group - T1 and T2 for delayed group) , participants are invited to Macquarie University/Woolcock Institute to undergo overnight sleep studies and neuroimaging sessions.
The CBCTi program will be given online via secure platforms and recruitment will primarily be through social media advertisements. The study will be coordinated from the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, 2109, Australia.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
SINGLE
Study Groups
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Immediate CBCTi
Immediate 8-weeks online therapist-guided CBCTi including weekly online modules. Guidance is provided via scheduled and ad hoc communications (e.g., email, messaging, telehealth) between the participant and a clinician/physician
Immediate CBCTi
This intervention will be immediately accessible to the CBCTi group. The program is composed of weekly online modules that include written information and interactive components such as schematics, images, videos, and questions. The content of the modules follows traditional and validated cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia protocols including sleep education, behavioural strategies (e.g., stimulus control, bedtime retraining, sleep hygiene), cognitive restructuration approaches (e.g., thought reappraisal, imagery, mindfulness), and relaxation practices (progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training). In addition, further content aims to stabilize and amplify circadian rhythmicity through light exposure in the morning, daytime moderate physical activity, and evening time warm baths. Participants complete daily sleep diaries throughout the intervention.
Delayed-start control
Participants in the delayed-start control group will not receive any active intervention during two months but will be offered the same therapist-guided CBCTi program thereafter.
Delayed CBCTi
This intervention will be accessible after a waiting period of 2 months (i.e, delayed start). The program is composed of weekly online modules that include written information and interactive components such as schematics, images, videos, and questions. The content of the modules follows traditional and validated cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia protocols including sleep education, behavioural strategies (e.g., stimulus control, bedtime retraining, sleep hygiene), cognitive restructuration approaches (e.g., thought reappraisal, imagery, mindfulness), and relaxation practices (progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training). In addition, further content aims to stabilize and amplify circadian rhythmicity through light exposure in the morning, daytime moderate physical activity, and evening time warm baths. Participants complete daily sleep diaries throughout the intervention.
Interventions
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Immediate CBCTi
This intervention will be immediately accessible to the CBCTi group. The program is composed of weekly online modules that include written information and interactive components such as schematics, images, videos, and questions. The content of the modules follows traditional and validated cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia protocols including sleep education, behavioural strategies (e.g., stimulus control, bedtime retraining, sleep hygiene), cognitive restructuration approaches (e.g., thought reappraisal, imagery, mindfulness), and relaxation practices (progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training). In addition, further content aims to stabilize and amplify circadian rhythmicity through light exposure in the morning, daytime moderate physical activity, and evening time warm baths. Participants complete daily sleep diaries throughout the intervention.
Delayed CBCTi
This intervention will be accessible after a waiting period of 2 months (i.e, delayed start). The program is composed of weekly online modules that include written information and interactive components such as schematics, images, videos, and questions. The content of the modules follows traditional and validated cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia protocols including sleep education, behavioural strategies (e.g., stimulus control, bedtime retraining, sleep hygiene), cognitive restructuration approaches (e.g., thought reappraisal, imagery, mindfulness), and relaxation practices (progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training). In addition, further content aims to stabilize and amplify circadian rhythmicity through light exposure in the morning, daytime moderate physical activity, and evening time warm baths. Participants complete daily sleep diaries throughout the intervention.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* All sexes and genders.
* Between 18 and 45 years of age.
* Able to provide informed consent.
* Proficient in English.
Exclusion Criteria
* Current or history of neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, brain injury).
* Current or history of bipolar disorder, psychosis, or moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
* Current uncontrolled mental health disorders requiring specialist care, other than major depression and anxiety disorders.
* Centrally active agents or presence of medical condition that may affect participation.
* Pregnancy or actively trying to conceive, or lactating.
* Shift work for at least 2 shifts per week in the past 3 months (i.e., work between 21:00 and 6:00).
* Travel across time zones over 3 hours difference in the previous 30 days (will require a 1-day adjustment period per hour of time zone travelled).
* Unwilling to know about potential incidental findings.
* No consent or adherence to instructions for any part of the study protocol.
18 Years
45 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
OTHER
Macquarie University, Australia
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Rick Wassing, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
Locations
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Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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References
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Hertenstein E, Feige B, Gmeiner T, Kienzler C, Spiegelhalder K, Johann A, Jansson-Frojmark M, Palagini L, Rucker G, Riemann D, Baglioni C. Insomnia as a predictor of mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2019 Feb;43:96-105. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2018.10.006. Epub 2018 Nov 16.
Taylor DJ, Pruiksma KE. Cognitive and behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in psychiatric populations: a systematic review. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2014 Apr;26(2):205-13. doi: 10.3109/09540261.2014.902808.
Riemann D, Baglioni C, Bassetti C, Bjorvatn B, Dolenc Groselj L, Ellis JG, Espie CA, Garcia-Borreguero D, Gjerstad M, Goncalves M, Hertenstein E, Jansson-Frojmark M, Jennum PJ, Leger D, Nissen C, Parrino L, Paunio T, Pevernagie D, Verbraecken J, Weess HG, Wichniak A, Zavalko I, Arnardottir ES, Deleanu OC, Strazisar B, Zoetmulder M, Spiegelhalder K. European guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia. J Sleep Res. 2017 Dec;26(6):675-700. doi: 10.1111/jsr.12594. Epub 2017 Sep 5.
Leerssen J, Lakbila-Kamal O, Dekkers LMS, Ikelaar SLC, Albers ACW, Blanken TF, Lancee J, van der Lande GJM, Maksimovic T, Mastenbroek SE, Reesen JE, van de Ven S, van der Zweerde T, Foster-Dingley JC, Van Someren EJW. Treating Insomnia with High Risk of Depression Using Therapist-Guided Digital Cognitive, Behavioral, and Circadian Rhythm Support Interventions to Prevent Worsening of Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychother Psychosom. 2022;91(3):168-179. doi: 10.1159/000520282. Epub 2021 Dec 6.
Christensen H, Batterham PJ, Gosling JA, Ritterband LM, Griffiths KM, Thorndike FP, Glozier N, O'Dea B, Hickie IB, Mackinnon AJ. Effectiveness of an online insomnia program (SHUTi) for prevention of depressive episodes (the GoodNight Study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Psychiatry. 2016 Apr;3(4):333-41. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00536-2. Epub 2016 Jan 28.
Wassing R, Lakbila-Kamal O, Ramautar JR, Stoffers D, Schalkwijk F, Van Someren EJW. Restless REM Sleep Impedes Overnight Amygdala Adaptation. Curr Biol. 2019 Jul 22;29(14):2351-2358.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.06.034. Epub 2019 Jul 11.
Wassing R, Schalkwijk F, Lakbila-Kamal O, Ramautar JR, Stoffers D, Mutsaerts HJMM, Talamini LM, Van Someren EJW. Haunted by the past: old emotions remain salient in insomnia disorder. Brain. 2019 Jun 1;142(6):1783-1796. doi: 10.1093/brain/awz089.
Lancee J, van Straten A, Morina N, Kaldo V, Kamphuis JH. Guided Online or Face-to-Face Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia: A Randomized Wait-List Controlled Trial. Sleep. 2016 Jan 1;39(1):183-91. doi: 10.5665/sleep.5344.
Bastien CH, Vallieres A, Morin CM. Validation of the Insomnia Severity Index as an outcome measure for insomnia research. Sleep Med. 2001 Jul;2(4):297-307. doi: 10.1016/s1389-9457(00)00065-4.
Berntsen D, Hoyle RH, Rubin DC. The Autobiographical Recollection Test (ART): A Measure of Individual Differences in Autobiographical Memory. J Appl Res Mem Cogn. 2019 Sep;8(3):305-318. doi: 10.1016/j.jarmac.2019.06.005. Epub 2019 Jul 26.
Other Identifiers
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227100/Z/23/Z
Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT
Identifier Source: secondary_id
GNT1196636
Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT
Identifier Source: secondary_id
14308
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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