A new approach to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in patients with chronic spinal pain

Time to Step Up to Stepped Care: A Novel Strategy for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Chronic Spinal Pain - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Vrije Universiteit Brussel · NCT06771856

This study is testing a new way of providing cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia to see if it helps people with chronic spinal pain sleep better.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment129 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorVrije Universiteit Brussel Academic / other
Locations1 site (Brussels)
Trial IDNCT06771856 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates a stepped care approach to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating insomnia in individuals suffering from chronic spinal pain. Chronic spinal pain is a prevalent condition that significantly impacts quality of life and is often exacerbated by insomnia. The study aims to determine whether this novel approach can improve access to effective CBT for insomnia, which is currently limited. Participants will receive either standard care CBT or the stepped care CBT intervention, allowing for a comparison of outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 with moderate insomnia and chronic spinal pain lasting at least three months.

Not a fit: Patients with severe underlying sleep disorders, significant psychological conditions, or those who are pregnant may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide effective treatment for insomnia in patients with chronic spinal pain, potentially alleviating both conditions.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach is innovative, previous studies have shown that addressing insomnia can positively impact chronic pain management, suggesting potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Insomniacs (18-65y/o), with an Insomnia Severity Index score ≥15 (i.e., at least moderate insomnia) suffering from CSP, defined as non-specific spinal pain of at least 3 month's duration, currently seeking care for CSP, with a pain severity of ≥3/10 on the Brief Pain Inventory are recruited. In the absence of other intrin-sic sleep disorders and shift work, insomnia is defined as \>30 minutes sleep latency and/or minutes awake after sleep onset for \>3 days/week for \>3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

Having severe underlying sleep pathology, being pregnant or given birth in the preceding year, suffering from a chronic condition which is currently causing other pain complaints, or suffering from severe psychological or psychiatric dis-eases, dementia or cognitive impairment. Eligible participants are asked not to start new treatments or medication, and continuing the usual non-physical thera-py care (6 weeks prior to and during study participation to obtain a steady state). A sleep-related anamnesis and a polysomnography assessment are performed to determine and exclude severe underlying comorbid sleep disorders.

Where this trial is running

Brussels

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic Spinal Paininsomniastepped carecognitive behavioral therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.