This study has already been completed. The results are currently being processed and written up. Many adults with autism suffer from sleep problems, especially insomnia. Sleep problems can have many negative effects on a person's life and well-being. We worked with a group of adults with autism to adapt an existing guided online self-help program for insomnia (i-Sleep) to the needs of people with autism and insomnia.
What is the background of the study?
The program is based on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. It focuses on understanding and addressing problematic thoughts and behaviors that contribute to emotional problems and insomnia. The program lasts a total of about 5-6 weeks and takes place entirely online. Topics covered include changing behaviors that hinder sleep (sleep hygiene), relaxation, and dealing with fretting and negative thoughts about sleep. You will also change your sleep patterns with stimulus control and sleep restriction. Stimulus control aims to link your bedroom primarily to sleep. Sleep restriction focuses on limiting your total time in bed to the sleep time you need (spending less time in bed, and limiting naps). This means that you are going to increase your sleep pressure so that you need much more sleep when you go to bed. This makes you more likely to spend less time awake in bed. The effectiveness of i-Sleep Autism has not been tested before, but there have been previous studies of the original i-Sleep treatment in other groups. Those studies showed that i-Sleep can effectively improve insomnia. These studies also showed that the program can have positive effects on mental health.
How does the study proceed?
How long will the study take?
How long your participation lasts depends on which group you are assigned to (see step 2). For group 1, participation lasts 6 months, of which the first 6 weeks are more intensive. After 6 months, only 1 questionnaire follows. For group 2, participation takes 3 months, of which the last 6 weeks are more intensive.
How does the study proceed?
Step 1: Pre-selection First, we do a pre-selection to see who is suitable to participate in this study.
Step 2: The programmes For this study, we randomly make 2 groups:
- - Group 1. People in this group will be given direct access to the online i-Sleep Autism programme. This is a self-help programme based on cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. There is guidance from a coach and a sleep diary. The programme includes assignments in the online portal. There are 5 sessions in total. As it involves one session per week, the programme lasts about 5 weeks.
- - Group 2. People in this group first receive online psychoeducation (education) for insomnia and sleep hygiene in autism. After 6 weeks, this group also gets access to the i-Sleep Autism programme. Then, too, they receive a coach (see above) and this group uses an online sleep diary.
Lottery determines which group someone is placed in. The chance of someone ending up in group 1 or 2 is 50/50. Grouping is done by a computer software, this is not influenced by the researchers.
Step 3: Surveys and measurements For the study, participants complete a questionnaire 3-4 times over a 6-week or 6-month period. Completing the questionnaire each time takes between 5 and 15 minutes.
Participation
Adults at the NAR received an email invitation for this study. It was entirely up to you whether you wanted to participate.
Lectures on this research
- Webinar Autisme en Slaap, met Stress Autism Mate en GGZ Centraal Emerhese, 14 oktober 2024
