TY - JOUR

T1 - Log in and breathe out: efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an online sleep training for teachers affected by work-related strain

T2 - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

AU - Thiart, Hanne

AU - Lehr, Dirk

AU - Ebert, David Daniel

AU - Sieland, Bernhard

AU - Berking, Matthias

AU - Riper, Heleen

N1 - Funding Information: The associated project of all authors is funded by the European Union (project number: EFRE: CCI 2007DE161PR001.). Additionally, the study is funded by the Unfallkasse Nordrhein-Westfalen (health insurance company).

PY - 2013/6/11

Y1 - 2013/6/11

N2 - Background: Insomnia and work-related stress often co-occur. Both are associated with personal distress and diminished general functioning, as well as substantial socio-economic costs due to, for example, reduced productivity at the work place and absenteeism. Insomnia complaints by people experiencing work-related stress are correlated with a deficient cognitive detachment from work. Diffuse boundaries between work and private life can additionally complicate the use of recreational activities that facilitate cognitive detachment.Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective but rarely implemented. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia could potentially reduce this deficit given its demonstrated effectiveness. Less is known, however, about the efficacy of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in populations affected by high work stress. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a newly developed, guided online training which is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia and tailored to teachers affected by occupational stress.Methods/Design: In a two-arm randomized controlled trial (N = 128), the effects of a guided online sleep training will be compared to a waitlist-control condition. German teachers with significant clinical insomnia complaints (Insomnia Severity Index ≥15) and work-related rumination (Irritation Scale, subscale Cognitive Irritation ≥15) will be included in the study. The primary outcome measure will be insomnia severity. Additionally, an economic evaluation from a societal perspective will be conducted. Data from the intention-to-treat sample will be analyzed two and six months after randomization.Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate an online sleep training tailored to a specific population with work stress, that is, teachers. If this type of intervention is effective, it could reduce the paucity of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and augment the support for teachers in coping with their insomnia problems.Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS): DRKS00004700.

AB - Background: Insomnia and work-related stress often co-occur. Both are associated with personal distress and diminished general functioning, as well as substantial socio-economic costs due to, for example, reduced productivity at the work place and absenteeism. Insomnia complaints by people experiencing work-related stress are correlated with a deficient cognitive detachment from work. Diffuse boundaries between work and private life can additionally complicate the use of recreational activities that facilitate cognitive detachment.Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective but rarely implemented. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia could potentially reduce this deficit given its demonstrated effectiveness. Less is known, however, about the efficacy of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in populations affected by high work stress. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a newly developed, guided online training which is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia and tailored to teachers affected by occupational stress.Methods/Design: In a two-arm randomized controlled trial (N = 128), the effects of a guided online sleep training will be compared to a waitlist-control condition. German teachers with significant clinical insomnia complaints (Insomnia Severity Index ≥15) and work-related rumination (Irritation Scale, subscale Cognitive Irritation ≥15) will be included in the study. The primary outcome measure will be insomnia severity. Additionally, an economic evaluation from a societal perspective will be conducted. Data from the intention-to-treat sample will be analyzed two and six months after randomization.Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate an online sleep training tailored to a specific population with work stress, that is, teachers. If this type of intervention is effective, it could reduce the paucity of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and augment the support for teachers in coping with their insomnia problems.Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS): DRKS00004700.

KW - Psychology

KW - Health sciences

KW - CBT-I

KW - Cost-effectiveness

KW - Insomnia

KW - Internet

KW - Occupational health

KW - Stress

KW - Teachers

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878715905&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/9a383dbe-5b6f-396d-b254-310e70934ec1/

U2 - 10.1186/1745-6215-14-169

DO - 10.1186/1745-6215-14-169

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 23759035

VL - 14

JO - Trials

JF - Trials

SN - 1745-6215

IS - 1

M1 - 169

ER -