Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery

NCT01648062 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IISleepTrial12
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 104
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomised controlled trial assessed the efficacy of four mental imagery techniques for improving sleep and its related behaviour: (1) imagery focused on reducing arousal levels; (2) imagery incorporating implementation intentions (a strategy designed to link specified behaviour with the anticipated context) for sleep-related behaviour; (3) a combination of imagery using arousal reduction and implementation intention strategies; or (4) a condition where participants were asked to imagine their typical post work activities.

Conditions

Sleep Deprivation; Insomnia

Keywords

Sleep; self-regulation; Implementation intentions; intervention; mental simulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Sleep Quality

  Assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; Buysse et al, 1989).The PSQI includes 19 items that assess sleep quality, hours of sleep, sleep onset length, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of medication and daytime. Item ratings are recoded and combined to form seven component scores. These scores are then summed into a global score ranging from 0(no difficulty) to 21(severe difficulties in all areas). Daily sleep quality was assessed with five PSQI items.

  Baseline and at 3 weeks. Data will also be presented for every day for the duration of the 3 week period so change can be reported.

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Negative Sleep Habits

  Baseline and Final follow-up (at 21-days)

• Sleep Efficacy

  Baseline and final follow-up (at 21 days)

• Pre-Sleep Arousal

  Baseline and final follow-up (Day 21)

• Imagery Adherence

  Post-session, Daily, Final follow-up (21 days)

• Action Planning

  Baseline, Final follow-up (Day 21)

Study Arms (4)

Arousal reduction using guided imagery

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery: Participants in the arousal reduction condition were instructed to imagine wearing a backpack loaded with their worries, then putting the heavy backpack down, and then experiencing the relief and freedom from tension.

Behavioral: Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery

Mental simulation of sleep behavior

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery: Participants in this condition received instructions to visualize a specific behavioral plan designed to meet the goal of obtaining quality sleep each night through the practice of certain behaviors. To form the behavioral plan, participants visualised changing into comfortable clothes and taking time to relax prior to going to bed, the time they planned to go to sleep, where they planned to sleep, and the bedtime routine they follow to help them to get to sleep. At bedtime, they were instructed to mentally run through a checklist of these behaviors and then do any behaviors that they had not yet completed.

Behavioral: Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery

Combination

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery: Participants in this condition were asked to practice a combination of the guided imagery (for relaxation) and mental simulation imagery for sleep-related behaviour

Behavioral: Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery

Control

SHAM COMPARATOR

Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery: Participants in this condition were asked to imagine a typical post work activity

Behavioral: Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery

Interventions

Sleep Self-Regulation Using Mental Imagery BEHAVIORAL

Comparison of two forms of mental imagery to instigate behaviors that assist in the sleeping process

Also known as: mental imagery, guided imagery, Implementation intentions, sleep, self-regulation, behavior change

Arousal reduction using guided imagery; Combination; Control; Mental simulation of sleep behavior

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• ability to read and write in English;
• full-time employment;
• work shifts during daytime hours (i.e., participants were excluded if they worked night shifts either through the organization or through a secondary job) in a position that provided daily access to email;
• a score of five or greater on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI) which indicates at least moderate difficulties in two or more areas (e.g., sleep quality and daytime dysfunction);

You may not qualify if:

• An identifiable biological cause of current sleep deprivation (e.g., sleep apnoea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, or pregnancy)
• An identified psychological disorder
• Caring for a child under the age of 5 or have a reason outside of work that caused them to regularly lack sleep.
• Incomplete data (over 50% of daily data missing or missing final follow-up assessment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Auckland, New Zealand: lead

Study Sites (1)

10 Private Businesses in the Region

Auckland, New Zealand

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sleep Deprivation; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Self-Control

Interventions

Imagery, Psychotherapy; Sleep; Professional Autonomy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Social Behavior; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Professional Practice; Organization and Administration; Health Services Administration

Study Officials

• Marisa H Loft, PhD

  Monash University (Sunway Campus, Malaysia)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Linda D Cameron, PhD

  University of California, Merced

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2012
• First Posted: July 24, 2012
• Study Start: October 1, 2008
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2010
• Study Completion: April 1, 2010
• Last Updated: July 24, 2012

Record last verified: 2012-07

Locations

NZ (1)