A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Digital Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Improving Insomnia Symptoms

Insomnia has widespread negative implications for health and well-being. Online delivery of mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia (MBTI) has not previously been evaluated. This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a digital MBTI program for improving insomnia symptoms. It was hypothesized that a 6-week digital MBTI program would reduce insomnia symptoms and pre-sleep arousal and improve mood, compared to a waitlist control condition.

Twenty-seven participants (M = 29.44, SD = 11.97 years) experiencing insomnia symptoms (insomnia severity index [ISI] ≥ 8) were randomized to either a 6-week intervention or waitlist condition. Participants completed the ISI, pre-sleep arousal scale (PSAS), and the positive and negative affect schedule at baseline, mid-, and post-study. Feasibility was assessed across four domains (acceptability, implementation, practicality, and preliminary efficacy) using self-reports, attrition, program completions, and module completions.

Feasibility data for the intervention indicated that there was 22% attrition, and 79% of the modules were completed. There were significantly greater reductions in the severity of insomnia symptoms (p < .001) and both cognitive (p = .03) and somatic (p = .02) subscales of the PSAS, at post-intervention compared to the waitlist group. There were no significant group differences in mood.

This study provides preliminary evidence of the feasibility and efficacy of a digital MBTI, which may assist in the broader dissemination of insomnia treatment.

Trial Registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12620000398909