Testing an Online Program for Managing Insomnia in Inflammatory Arthritis

Scientific Study Title:

TailoRing an Internet Delivered Cognitive Behavioral ThEraPy for Insomnia in Persons with InflammatOry Rheumatic DiseaSEs: Acceptability and Feasibility – Phase Two (REPOSE)

Start Date:

2024

End Date:

2025

Why Do This Research?

Sleep difficulties, including trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, and/or waking up early without being able to fall back asleep (all types of insomnia), are reported in up to 70% of persons living with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, a rate that is three to four times higher than in the general population. Our research team has adapted an online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program to meet the needs of individuals with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The original CBT program was shown to be effective. A major benefit of an online, self-paced CBT program is its flexible and accessible nature.

What Will Be Done?

Participants with inflammatory arthritis will participate in a randomized controlled trial testing the cognitive behavioural therapy program. The information provided by participants will help us adapt and improve the program even more to meet the needs of persons living with arthritis who suffer from insomnia.

Participants will take three surveys on their demographic information, sleep, health, mental health and satisfaction with the program. Each survey will take around 30-40 minutes: one at study entry and two after the cognitive behavioural therapy (one of which is to be completed right after completing the cognitive behavioural therapy and the other, one month later).

The eight-week, online cognitive behavioural therapy program offers psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural strategies to help participants manage their symptoms of insomnia and their mental health.

Participants will receive a $10 gift card after completing each survey (meaning participants will receive $30 in total by the end).

You are welcome to contact us to join the study if you have an inflammatory rheumatic condition, including but not limited to:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Other spondyloarthropathies
• Lupus
• Other inflammatory rheumatic conditions

We are recruiting participants for our study on inflammatory rheumatic conditions and sleep. If osteoarthritis is the only type of arthritis you have, you won’t be able to join the study. If you have osteoarthritis and a type of inflammatory arthritis, you are eligible for the study (as long as you also meet the following criteria):

• Are between 18 – 80 years of age.
• Are a Canadian citizen.
• Are experiencing trouble sleeping and suspect you might have insomnia (we will assess this portion of the eligibility criteria over a short phone call).

Who Is Involved?

Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in behavioural medicine, insomnia, rheumatology, e-health, biostatistics, and patient advisers.

Research Team

Principal Investigators:

Deborah Da Costa, PhD, Research Scientist, Psychology, Arthritis Research Canada (McGill University)

Co Investigators:

Phase one & two:

Paul Fortin, MD, MPH, FRCPC, Senior Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (Université Laval)

Diane Lacaille, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Phase two:

Josee Savard, (Université Laval)

Elham Rahme, (McGill University)

Collaborators:

Patricia Patrick, Vancouver Coastal Health

Arthritis Research Canada Patient Advisory Board Patient Partners:

Eileen Davidson, Shanon McQuitty

Research Staff:

Rebecca Wickett, Nicole Anderson, Emilie McGuire

Funding Agency:

Canadian Initiative for Outcomes in Arthritis Care (CIORA) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)