Online course to help adults manage parasomnias

Development and Online Evaluation of an Online Course for Parasomnias

NA · University of Manitoba · NCT07361315

This trial tests whether a four-week online course can help adults with parasomnias reduce how often episodes happen and how distressed they feel.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Manitoba (other)
Locations1 site (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Trial IDNCT07361315 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-blind randomized controlled trial compares a four-week online parasomnia education course to a sleep hygiene education control in 20 adult outpatients referred to a behavioral sleep medicine clinic. Participants complete pre- and post-treatment surveys and sleep diaries to measure changes in parasomnia frequency and distress as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes include work and social adjustment, mood, anxiety, stress, fatigue, sleepiness, insomnia, and perceived cognitive interference. Recruitment is from the clinic waiting list, with eligibility confirmed by clinical interview and screening for exclusionary medications and untreated sleep disorders.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18) referred for a parasomnia who meet diagnostic criteria, have symptoms for at least six months, can read English, have device/internet access, and do not have excluded medications or untreated major sleep or neurological disorders.

Not a fit: People using excluded psychiatric or sedative medications, those with seizures or untreated sleep apnea/narcolepsy/restless legs, children, or those without internet access are unlikely to benefit from this specific intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the course could reduce parasomnia episodes and related distress while improving sleep-related functioning and mood for participants.

How similar studies have performed: Behavioral therapies and education have shown benefits for some parasomnias, but delivering an evidence-based parasomnia course online is relatively novel and not yet well established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* physician referred for parasomnia
* meet criteria for parasomnia on the Structured Clinical Interview for Sleep Disorders (SCISD-R)
* age \>= 18 years
* parasomnia duration \>= 6 months
* English reading, sighted
* access to device.

Exclusion Criteria:

* currently taking one of Lithium, Thioridazine, Chlorpromazine, Perphenazine, Methaqualone, Amitriptyline, Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors, Serotonin and Norepinephrine Re-Uptake inhibitors, or Zopiclone
* seizure or major neurological disorder
* untreated sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or narcolepsy

Where this trial is running

Winnipeg, Manitoba

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Sleep Terror, Sleepwalking, Nightmare Disorder, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, Confusional Arousal, Parasomnia course evaluation, online parasomnia

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.