Improving sleep for better brain health in older surgical patients
Official title: A Pilot Study of Digital Sleep Optimization for Brain Health Outcomes in Older Surgical Patients (SLEEP-BOOST)
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10890421 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help older adults who have trouble sleeping before surgery by using a special app and watch to provide support and tips for better sleep, with the hope that getting more rest will help them recover faster and lower their chances of memory problems later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $134,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AG087439-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890421 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are older adults scheduled for surgery who experience insomnia symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have insomnia or are not undergoing surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on helping older patients who are undergoing surgery and suffer from insomnia. It aims to test a digital program that provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) to improve their sleep quality before surgery. By using an app and a watch to monitor sleep patterns, patients will receive guidance from trained professionals to help manage their insomnia. The goal is to see if better sleep can lead to improved recovery and reduce the risk of developing neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better sleep management for older surgical patients, enhancing their recovery and reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that digital CBT-I can effectively improve sleep and reduce anxiety, indicating a promising approach for this population.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Lei — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Gao, Lei
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.