Improving sleep and mental health in pregnant individuals

Efficacy of Digital Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia for the Prevention of Perinatal Depression

Not applicable Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT05596318

This study is testing two online sleep programs to see which one helps pregnant people with insomnia feel better and reduces the risk of depression during and after pregnancy.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment498 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT05596318 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of two digital sleep programs, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and sleep hygiene education (SHE), in pregnant individuals experiencing insomnia. Participants, who are between 14 to 28 weeks gestation, will be randomly assigned to one of the two programs, each consisting of six weekly online sessions. The study will assess the impact of these interventions on preventing perinatal depression and explore how improvements in insomnia symptoms may influence depressive outcomes. Participants will complete surveys and interviews throughout the study period, which extends until one year postpartum.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are pregnant individuals between 14 to 28 weeks gestation who are experiencing elevated insomnia symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients with current major depression or those taking antidepressant medication may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide effective non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep and mental health in pregnant individuals, potentially reducing the incidence of perinatal depression.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with digital CBT-I for insomnia, suggesting that this approach may be effective in similar populations.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant 14-28 weeks gestation
* 18 years or older
* Daily access to a web-enabled computer, smart phone, or tablet
* Current elevated insomnia symptom severity and insomnia disorder
* English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current major depression
* Taking or planning to take antidepressant medication (ADM)
* Other diagnosed or suspected sleep disorder
* Other psychiatric or medical issues (e.g., bipolar disorder, active suicidality, bed rest)
* Night shift worker

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

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 InsomniaDepression
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.