Online Sleep Course for Public Safety Personnel
Uptake, Acceptability, and Effectiveness of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Public Safety Personnel With Self-Reported Sleep Difficulties
This online cognitive behavioural therapy sleep course tests whether it helps public safety personnel (e.g., firefighters, paramedics, police, correctional workers) who have insomnia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Regina Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Regina, Saskatchewan) |
| Trial ID | NCT07021183 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study offers an internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (ICBTi) program called the Sleep Course that has been adapted for public safety personnel (PSP). The program is delivered online through PSPNET over a series of modules and can be offered with or without therapist support, requiring participants to have internet access and English literacy. The trial aims to replicate results from an earlier Australian version by measuring changes in sleep symptoms and the acceptability of the course among PSP. Eligibility excludes people with current severe medical or psychiatric disorders that would interfere with treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who are current or former paid or volunteer public safety personnel, live in a Canadian province where PSPNET offers the Sleep Course during the treatment period, have internet access, and can read English and consent to online therapy.
Not a fit: People with current severe psychiatric or medical disorders (e.g., active psychosis, recent hospitalization, active suicidality), those without internet access or English literacy, or those living outside the provinces where PSPNET offers the course are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve sleep quality and daytime functioning for PSP while increasing access to evidence-based insomnia care for shift workers.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research supports ICBTi for insomnia and the Australian version of the Sleep Course reported positive outcomes and acceptability, which this study seeks to replicate for PSP.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Current or former paid or volunteer PSP * Living in a province in Canada where PSPNET offers the Sleep Couse for the treatment period * Willingness to learn information and skills to self-manage sleep difficulties * Have internet access * Consent to Sleep Course, online therapy as provided by PSPNET, and associated research Exclusion Criteria: * Current severe medical or psychiatric disorder (e.g. current and recent mania or psychosis, recent hospitalization for mental health concerns, actively suicidal, medical condition client thinks will interfere with treatment, severe substance use) * Unable to read and understand English. (All content is provided in English and staff is English speaking; pending findings of the research PSPNET will explore translating the course into French)
Where this trial is running
Regina, Saskatchewan
- University of Regina — Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Heather D Hadjistavropoulos, PhD — University of Regina
- Study coordinator: Heather D Hadjistavropoulos, PhD
- Email: heather.hadjistavropoulos@uregina.ca
- Phone: 306-585-5133
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.