Does an app based short intervention improve quality of sleep?

ISRCTN ISRCTN53553517
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN53553517
Secondary identifying numbers 1
Submission date
05/04/2019
Registration date
08/04/2019
Last edited
24/03/2023
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Two out of three adults in Germany have trouble sleeping at least occasionally, among employees the numbers rise up to 80%. Poor sleep quality can result in daytime fatigue and reduce performance, and is also associated with irritability and depressed mood. Only a few people with poor sleep quality seek professional help. Therefore, researchers have developed an app-based training to help people implement behaviour changes and improve sleep quality. The aim of this study is to find out whether this training helps improve sleep.

Who can participate?
German-speaking adults

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to either receive access to the app-based training immediately or to wait for 6 months. The training is self-paced, but the recommended duration is 8 weeks (1 chapter per week). There are three assessments (start of the study, 8 weeks, 26 weeks).

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may improve their sleep quality. For some participants, thinking about their thoughts and feelings may be upsetting.

Where is the study run from?
Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (Germany)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2019 to October 2020

Who is funding the study?
There is no external funding for the study

Who is the main contact?
Bianka Vollert
bianka.vollert@tu-dresden.de
(updated 03/07/2019, previously: Dr Ina Beintner
ina.beintner@tu-dresden.de)

Study website

Contact information

Ms Bianka Vollert
Public

Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Chemnitzer Straße 46
Dresden
01187
Germany

Phone +49 (0)351 463 38570
Email bianka.vollert@tu-dresden.de

Study information

Study designSingle-center unblinded randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Internet/virtual
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in English
Scientific titleRefresh - Does an app based short intervention improve quality of sleep? A randomised controlled feasibility study
Study acronymREFRESH
Study objectivesThe current study seeks to examine the acceptability and efficacy of an app-based short intervention (Refresh) to improve sleep quality compared to a waitlist control group in the general population. The hypothesis is that Refresh will be efficacious, with significant improvements of sleep quality within the intervention group and differences at post intervention and follow-up between the intervention group and the waitlist control group.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 29/03/2019, Ethikkommission (IRB) an der TU Dresden (Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Tel: +49 (0)351 458 2992; Email: ethikkommission@mailbox.tu-dresden.de), ref: EK 111032019
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPoor sleep quality
InterventionMethod of randomisation: stratified block randomization (strata: gender, sleep quality (RIS total score <12 vs >=12), use of sleep medication).

1. Refresh: an app-based short intervention to improve sleep quality
2. Waitlist control

The intervention is self-paced, but the recommended duration is 8 weeks (1 chapter per week). There are three assessments (baseline, post-intervention (+8 weeks), follow-up (+26 weeks).
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureSleep quality is measured using the Regensburg Insomnia Scale (RIS) Total Score at baseline and post-Intervention (8 weeks)
Secondary outcome measures1. Sleep quality is measured using the Regensburg Insomnia Scale Total Score at baseline and follow-up (26 weeks)
2. Depression symptoms are measured using the depression scale from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 ) Total Score at baseline, post intervention (8 weeks) and follow-up (26 weeks)
3. Acceptance of the training is measured using the Working Alliance Scale adapted for Online Interventions at Post Intervention (8 weeks) and usage of the intervention (during intervention period)
Overall study start date01/03/2019
Completion date31/10/2020

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants586
Total final enrolment371
Key inclusion criteria1. Over 18 years of age
2. Fluent in German
3. Access to the Internet during the intervention period
Key exclusion criteria1. Current treatment for depression
2. History of psychotic or bipolar disorder
3. Suicidal ideation
Date of first enrolment15/04/2019
Date of final enrolment31/03/2020

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Luxembourg
  • Switzerland

Study participating centre

Technische Universität Dresden, Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Chemnitzer Straße 46
Dresden
01187
Germany

Sponsor information

Technical University Dresden (Technische Universität Dresden)
University/education

Institut für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie
Chemnitzer Str. 46
Dresden
01187
Germany

Phone +49(0)351-463-0
Email bianka.vollert@tu-dresden.de
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/042aqky30

Funders

Funder type

Other

Investigator initiated and funded

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/03/2021
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication of results in a high-impact peer reviewed journal. No additional documents will be publicly available.
IPD sharing planAfter the main results of the study have been published, anonymised participant level data can be shared for individual patient data meta-analyses upon request to Dr Ina Beintner (Ina.Beintner@tu-dresden.de), stating the purpose and methods of the planned project. ICMJE authorship recommendations apply. Participants give consent that their anonymised data can be used in research cooperation projects.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article outcome measure results 21/03/2023 24/03/2023 Yes No

Editorial Notes

24/03/2023: Publication reference added.
20/08/2020: Internal review.
03/04/2020: The total final enrolment was added.
01/04/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment end date has been changed from 31/12/2019 to 31/03/2020.
2. The overall trial end date has been changed from 30/06/2020 to 31/10/2020.
3. The plain English summary has been updated to reflect the changes above.
08/10/2019: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall end date was changed from 31/03/2020 to 30/06/2020.
2. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/09/2019 to 31/12/2019.
03/07/2019: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The public contact was changed from Dr. Ina Beintner <Ina.Beintner@tu-dresden.de> to Bianka Vollert <bianka.vollert@tu-dresden.de>.
2. The sponsor email address was changed from Dr. Ina Beintner <Ina.Beintner@tu-dresden.de> to Bianka Vollert <bianka.vollert@tu-dresden.de>.
3. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
08/04/2019: Trial's existence confirmed by ethics committee.