effectiveness and adherence to an online sleep program

Conditions: Insomnia

Summary: this research will examine the effectiveness of a 6-week online sleep program (go! to sleep) which provides a set of various psycho-educational materials and behavioral techniques to reduce insomnia symptoms, improve sleep, and improve quality of life.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * age 18 to 70 years old. * currently living in the continental united states and canada. * symptoms of insomnia based on the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (dsm-iv) definition of insomnia disorder: * self-reported sleep difficulties (including sleep-onset latency, waking after sleep onset, early waking of more than 30 min duration) 3 or more times a week in the past 3 months. * self-reported insomnia problem for more than 3 months. * self-reported significant daytime impairment due to sleep difficulties. * willingness to log onto the internet on a regular basis for the duration of the study (3-7 months). * willingness and able to complete almost daily a sleep log to track sleep pattern for up to 2 months at a time (approximately 2-3 min daily). * willingness to be in the wait-list control group and not have access to the program for 3 months. exclusion criteria: * pregnant or planning to be pregnant in the next 6 months. * lack of internet access and/or mac computer at place of residence. * currently participating or have participated in group or individual therapy for insomnia in the prior month. * patient health questionnaire (phq9) depression score \>14. * recent treatment (less than 3 months) or medication for depression or anxiety. * change in treatment or medication for depression or anxiety in the past month or planned change in the next 3 months. * current treatment (therapy, prescription) for any other psychological or emotional conditions (including but not limited to: mania, manic-depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, adjustment disorder). * diagnosed and currently suffering from a sleep disorder (including, but not limited to sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, sleep walking, narcolepsy) which is untreated or has been treated for less than a month. * suffer from physical symptoms or medical conditions that may affect sleep (including but not limited to: pain, arthritis, tinnitus, diabetes, night time cough, shortness of breath, hot flashes, frequent urination, heartburn). * steroid an stimulant use (including but not limited to prednisone, methylprednisolone or solumedrol (for inflammatory disorders), methylphenidate, or ritalin (for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), provigil (for narcolepsy), wellbutrin or zyban (for tobacco cessation), cocaine or methylenedioxymethamphetamine (mdma) (a.k.a. ecstasy)). * irregular workshift. * having young children who may affect sleep pattern. * taking over-the-counter or prescribed sleep medication 3 or more times a week. * alcoholism. * inability to access the internet on a consistent regular basis for the duration of the study (3-7 months). * inability to complete daily sleep log to track sleep patterns for up to 2 months at a time. * unwillingness to be assigned to the wait-list control group for 3 months prior to gaining access to the program.

Keywords: insomnia sleep stress online program web-based program cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (cbt-i)