Internet-guided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Military Service Members With History of TBI

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Trial

Official title: A Randomized, Controlled, Blinded Study of Internet-guided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Military Service Members With History of Traumatic Brain Injury

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

This study aims to validate an established internet-guided cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as an alternative program to traditional in-person therapy that may increase treatment availability and utilization within the military health system. The version of the internet-guided CBT-I program being studied has been customized specifically for military service members.

The study will assess if the customized internet-guided CBT-I program will positively improve clinical measures of insomnia and quality of life outcomes in active or retired service members with primary insomnia and associated mild traumatic brain injury.

Clinical Trial Description

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major health problem in United States military service members. Mild traumatic brain injury, also called "concussion", accounts for approximately 90% of the overall cases of TBI. Mild TBI (mTBI) is associated with various debilitating symptoms, such as headache, mood disorders, and sleep alterations. A high percentage of service members and veterans with suspected or confirmed mTBI are also diagnosed with insomnia or other sleep disorders.

In-person cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been documented as an effective therapy for treating insomnia. However, implementation within the Military Healthcare System (MHS) has been lacking due to lack of appropriately trained practitioners. Additionally, patients may overlook in-person therapy due to significant time commitment.

This study is a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial to assess internet-guided CBT-I in military service members with insomnia and mTBI. The primary outcome measure for efficacy is the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) with secondary cross-validation using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Approximately 200 participants will be randomized to treatment or control groups. Participants receiving active CBT-I will follow a 9-week internet-guided program requiring daily follow-up through an online portal that may be accessed via computer or phone. Participants in the control group will also receive access to an online portal for 9 weeks.

Primary analysis is percent improvement in severity symptoms assessed pre- and post-treatment. Secondary analysis is percent retained improvement in severity of symptoms assessed post-treatment and long-term follow-up at 6 months.

Secondary outcome measures will capture a variety of known and suspected insomnia precursors, predictors, or correlates and functional outcomes. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Brain Concussion
• Brain Injuries
• Brain Injuries, Traumatic
• Insomnia Chronic
• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

• NCT number: NCT04377009
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: July 7, 2020
• Completion date: April 30, 2023