This randomized control trial (RCT) aims at comparing the efficacy of self-help cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and self-help cognitive behavioural therapy for depression (CBT-D) on comorbid depression and insomnia. It addresses the research gap of treating comorbid depression and insomnia with a transdiagnostic approach (i.e., CBT-I) rather than a disorder-specific approach (i.e., CBT-D). Insomnia is a transdiagnostic process that is common to many psychiatric disorders. It is not only a symptom for depression, but also a factor that contributes to the onset and maintenance of depression. There were limited studies comparing the efficacy of self-help CBT-I to self-help CBT-D among adults with comorbid insomnia and depression (e.g., Blom, 2015). Hence, this study will serve as one of the pioneering attempts to elucidate the role of self-help transdiagnostic insomnia therapy in reducing depressive symptoms. Prior to all study procedures, eligible participants will be required to complete an online informed consent. Around 100 eligible participants aged between 18 and 65 with a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 10 indicating at least moderate level of depressive symptoms and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score ≥ 10 indicating clinical level of insomnia symptoms will be randomly assigned to either Internet-based CBT-I (n = 50) or Internet-based CBT-D (n = 50) in a ratio of 1:1. Eligible participants in the CBT-I group will receive the intervention "iSleepWell" via the a digital mental health platform Next Stop, Wellness! for 6 consecutive weeks, whilst the CBT-D group will receive the intervention 'LIFE FLeX' via the same platform for 6 consecutive weeks. The outcomes of interest include depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms, functional impairment, quality of life, intervention credibility and acceptability at baseline (Week 0), immediate post-treatment (Week 7), and 12 weeks follow-up (Week 19) assessments.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
100
The intervention will cover the following topics: (a) physiological linkage between the brain and stress, (b) sleep hygiene, (c) stimulus control, (d) sleep restriction, (e) cognitive restructuring, and (f) positive psychology. Each weekly session will be divided into 6-8 chapters. Chapters are supported by short videos and interactive games. Homework activities will be assigned after each session.
The intervention will cover the following topics: (a) physiological linkage between the brain and stress, (b) emotion management, (c) cognitive restructuring, (d) behavioral activation, and (e) positive psychology. Each weekly session will be divided into 6-8 chapters. Some chapters are supported by short videos and e-worksheets. Homework activities will be assigned after each session, which include weekly record of emotions or between-session practice.
Change in Patient Health Questionnaire
The PHQ-9 is a 9-item questionnaire used for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, and measuring the severity of depression, which scores each of the nine DSM-IV criteria from "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day).
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Immediate post-treatment (Week 7), and 12 weeks follow-up (Week 19) assessments
Change in Insomnia Severity Index
ISI is a 7-item scale designed to evaluate perceived insomnia severity. Ratings on the 5-point Likert scale are obtained on the perceived severity of sleep-onset, sleep-maintenance, early morning awakening problems, satisfaction with current sleep pattern, interference with daily functioning, noticeably of impairment attributed to the sleep problem, and level of distress caused by the sleep problem.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Immediate post-treatment (Week 7), and 12 weeks follow-up (Week 19) assessments
Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
HADS is a 14-item self-rated questionnaire used for measuring the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms on a 5-point-scale.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Immediate post-treatment (Week 7), and 12 weeks follow-up (Week 19) assessments
Change in The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
The PSQI-19 is a 19-item questionnaire used for measuring and identifying quality of sleep. It provides a measure of global sleep quality, including sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency and sleep disturbances.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Immediate post-treatment (Week 7), and 12 weeks follow-up (Week 19) assessments
Change in Sheehan Disability Scale
SDS is a brief, 5-item self-report tool that assesses functional impairment in work/school, social life, and family life.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Immediate post-treatment (Week 7), and 12 weeks follow-up (Week 19) assessments
Change in Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory
A 20-item self-report instrument designed to measure fatigue. Ratings on a 5-point Likert scale are obtained on the dimensions of general fatigue, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, reduced motivation and reduced activity. Scores on each subscale range from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Immediate post-treatment (Week 7), and 12 weeks follow-up (Week 19) assessments
Change in Short Form (Six-Dimension) Health Survey
SF-6D is a preference-based single index measure of health. A six-digit number represents each SF-6D health state, each digit denotes the level of one of six SF-6D dimensions: physical functioning, role limitation, social functioning, bodily pain, mental health, and vitality. The SF-6D index, scored from 0.0 (worst health state) to 1.0 (best health state)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Immediate post-treatment (Week 7), and 12 weeks follow-up (Week 19) assessments
Change in Credibility-Expectancy Questionnaire
The 6-item CEQ yielded ratings of treatment credibility, acceptability/satisfaction, and expectations for success.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Immediate post-intervention assessments (Week 7)
Change in Treatment Acceptability/Adherence Scale
TAAS is a self-reported, ten-item questionnaire that is rated by a seven-point Likert scale from 1 to 7. It aims at evaluating treatment acceptability and anticipated treatment adherence of clients in the aspects of credibility, expectancy and distress.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Immediate post-intervention assessments (Week 7)
Demographic survey
The self-developed demographic survey will collect information including age, gender, level of education, working industry, relationship status, and location of residence, substance use, body mass index (BMI), rest-activity pattern, and social rhythms etc.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0)
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