About the study
Over 1 in 10 adults are living with chronic insomnia, a sleep disorder associated with difficulty falling asleep and/or maintaining sleep. Insomnia contributes to both the development and persistence of depression and anxiety.
The purpose of this study is to better understand the effects of an online therapist-guided therapy for insomnia compared to a control intervention (sleep education) and to test whether it benefits mental health outcomes.
What's involved
Eligible participants will be randomized to either the online therapy or the online control intervention.
The online therapist-guided therapy for insomnia is composed of 5 online interactive modules to complete in 8 weeks.
The control intervention is composed of 3 short online sleep education modules to be completed in 8 weeks.
Participants will fill in a short sleep diary every day.
Both groups will perform one in-person screening visit at the Woolcock and complete at-home assessments (using wearable devices) before and after the 8-week intervention then at 6-month and 18-month follow-up.
The online therapy group will also perform two in-person experimental visits at the Woolcock Institute. Each visit will include an overnight sleep study and 1-2 MRI sessions.
Participants will be reimbursed for their time.
Participants randomised to the control group will be offered access to the online therapy after the completion of the study.
Visits required
3 to 5 online interactive modules & 1 to 3 visits to the Woolcock.
Eligibility criteria
- Adult men and women aged 25-45 years old
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Report insomnia complaints
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Able to undertake MRI
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Able to give informed verbal and written consent
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Fluent in spoken, and comprehension of English
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Able to use a web platform
Chief investigator: Dr Rick Wassing
Ethics approvals:
This study has been approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics HREC Medical Sciences Committee [No 520241430857576] which is a registered human ethics committee in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct of Human Research (2023) incorporating all updates
Find out more
Contact: Dr Aurore Perrault
Call: 0449 945 294
Email: woolcock.restlessstudy@woolcock.org.au
