This study will employ a randomized controlled trial design to investigate the effects of a brief behavioral intervention that includes (1) self-recording of a regularity-focused sleep diary, (2) 10 strategies for maintaining sleep regularity, and (3) a sleep education information sheet on the maintenance of sleep regularity in young adults during the Christmas break.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
236
Participants will receive a brief behavioural intervention comprising a regularity-focused sleep diary, 10 tips for maintaining sleep regularity, and a sleep education information sheet. The regularity-focused sleep diary is designed to emphasize in-bed and out-of-bed times, drawing participants' attention to their sleep regularity. Participants will be provided with a yellow marker to highlight their sleep periods. The 10 tips for maintaining sleep regularity include establishing a consistent out-of-bed time, using natural light to regulate the circadian clock, adjusting mealtimes, etc. The sleep education sheet contains information on reducing caffeine intake in the afternoon, limiting screen time before bed, etc.
Participants will receive general health information without specific emphasis on sleep, such as weight control, smoking cessation, etc.
Hong Kong Baptist University
Kowloon City, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
Sleep regularity
Sleep regularity will be measured by the validated Chinese version of sleep regularity questionnaire (SRQ), which shows excellent reliability and validity. SRQ consists of six items focusing on two dimensions, circadian regularity and sleep continuity regularity. Each item is rated on a scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much) in terms of the degree to which they agreed with each statement, with higher scores indicating higher sleep regularity.
Time frame: From baseline assessment to the end of intervention at 3 weeks
Severity of depression
The severity of depression will be measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 item (PHQ-9). It asks participants how often they experienced depressive symptoms over the past 2 weeks. PHQ-9 comprises 5 categories: 0-4 indicates minimal depression, 5-9 mild depression, 10-14 moderate depression, 15-19 moderately severe depression, and ≥20 severe depression.
Time frame: From baseline assessment to the end of intervention at 3 weeks
Severity of anxiety
The severity of anxiety will be measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 item (GAD-7). The cut-off scores of GAD-7 are: 0-4 indicates minimal anxiety, 5-9 mild anxiety, 10-14 moderate anxiety, and ≥15 severe anxiety.
Time frame: From baseline assessment to the end of intervention at 3 weeks
Work and social functioning
Work and social functioning will be assessed using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), a 5-item instrument in which each item is rated on a 9-point Likert scale (0 = not at all, 8 = very severely). The total WSAS score ranges from 0 to 40, with lower scores indicating better functioning.
Time frame: From baseline assessment to the end of intervention at 3 weeks
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