Investigating non-inferiority of internet-delivered versus face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I): a randomised controlled trial (iSleep well)

F. Benz, L. Grolig, S. Hannibal, C. Buntrock, P. Cuijpers, K. Domschke, D. D. Ebert, J. Ell, M. Janneck, C. Jenkner, A. F. Johann, A. Josef, M. Kaufmann, A. Koß, T. Mallwitz, H. Mergan, C. M. Morin, D. Riemann, H. Riper, S. R. SchmidF. Smit, L. Spille, L. Steinmetz, E. J.W. Van Someren, K. Spiegelhalder, D. Lehr

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Background: Insomnia is a highly prevalent disorder associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as first-line treatment by clinical guidelines but is accessible to only a minority of patients suffering from insomnia. Internet-delivered CBT-I (iCBT-I) could contribute to the widespread dissemination of this first-line treatment. As there is insufficient evidence regarding non-inferiority, this study directly aims to compare therapist-guided internet-delivered versus face-to-face CBT-I in terms of insomnia severity post-treatment. Furthermore, a health-economic evaluation will be conducted, and potential benefits and disadvantages of therapist-guided iCBT-I will be examined. Methods: This study protocol describes a randomised controlled two-arm parallel-group non-inferiority trial comparing therapist-guided iCBT-I with face-to-face CBT-I in routine clinical care. A total of 422 patients with insomnia disorder will be randomised and treated at 16 study centres throughout Germany. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 10 weeks after randomisation (post), and 6 months after randomisation (follow-up). The primary outcome is insomnia severity measured using the Insomnia Severity Index. Secondary outcomes include depression-related symptoms, quality of life, fatigue, physical activity, daylight exposure, adverse events related to treatment, and a health-economic evaluation. Finally, potential moderator variables and several descriptive and exploratory outcomes will be assessed (e.g. benefits and disadvantages of internet-delivered treatment). Discussion: The widespread implementation of CBT-I is a significant healthcare challenge. The non-inferiority of therapist-guided iCBT-I versus face-to-face CBT-I will be investigated in an adequately powered sample in routine clinical care, with the same therapeutic content and same level of therapist qualifications provided with both interventions. If this trial demonstrates the non-inferiority of therapist-guided iCBT-I, healthcare providers may be more confident recommending this treatment to their patients, contributing to the wider dissemination of CBT-I. Trial registration: Trial registration number in the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00028153 (https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00028153). Registered on 16th May 2023.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number371
    Pages (from-to)1-17
    Number of pages17
    JournalTrials
    Volume25
    Early online date10 Jun 2024
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2024

    Keywords

    • CBT-I
    • Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia
    • Digital
    • Face-to-face
    • Guided internet intervention
    • Insomnia
    • Internet-delivered
    • Non-inferiority trial
    • Randomised controlled trial

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