SBIR-STTR Award

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of using a high technology behavioral training program to improve sleep of older adults who do not only have insomnia, but also often have co-morbid chronic conditions that may contribute to and confound the treatment of their sleep complaint. The basis for this new technology is the use of a low cost 3-D sound-enhanced system developed to train Air Force pilots and shift workers to sleep better. The aim is to transfer this technological approach to the geriatric arena and modify its use for geriatric insomnia patients. This will be done by objectively and subjectively comparing a modified Natural Sleep training system to both an established classroom behavioral treatment protocol and a waiting list control.

This study will test the efficacy of a technology-enhanced home behavioral treatment (THBT) or older adults with insomnia and comorbid chronic illness. The SBIR 1 study found that THBT yielded short-term reductions in insomnia compared to no treatment. These benefits were comparable to those obtained from a classroom treatment at much less cost. The goal of the proposed study will be extend these findings using a more precise methodology, measurement of longer-term benefits, and comparison to an alternative self-help treatment. Subjects will include 80 older adults with one of two common chronic diseases with high rates of comorbid insomnia: osteoarthritis and coronary artery disease. They will receive one of the two treatments: THBT with video instruction on cognitive-behavioral (CB) techniques and 3-D audio relaxation training; or bibliotherapy treatment using a previously tested CB self-help book. Outcomes will be assessed at post-treatment and 1 year follow-up using objective and self-report measures of sleep. Quality of life, functional status and health care utilization benefits will be assessed. This study complements an R01 proposal by the co-investigators which includes a classroom CB treatment and a placebo treatment, thus allowing for outcome comparisons across a continuum of behavioral treatment modalities. An easy-to-use home treatment package would have strong potential as a first-line treatment for geriatric insomnia. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: Not available

Public Health Relevance:
This Public Health Relevance is not available.

Thesaurus Terms:
Audiotape, Behavior Therapy, Geriatric Medicine, Home Health Care, Human Therapy Evaluation, Sleep Disorder, Technology /Technique Development, Videotape /Videodisc Chronic Disease /Disorder, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Comorbidity, Relaxation, Sleep, Sound, Training Clinical Research, Human Old Age (65+), Human Subject, Polysomnography