Brief Sleep Intervention for Bipolar Disorder

March 5, 2019 updated by: Louisa Grandin Sylvia, Massachusetts General Hospital

Brief Sleep Intervention for Suicide in Bipolar Disorder

Individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) experience extreme mood swings, or episodes of depression and (hypo)mania. These episodes are associated with poor functioning, worse course of illness, and high rates of suicidality. It is estimated that between 25 to 65% of individuals with BD attempt suicide and 4 to 19% of individuals with BD eventually die by suicide. Sleep disturbance has been identified as a primary prodromal as well as causal symptom of mood episodes and recently, has been found to be associated with higher rates of suicidal ideation and behavior. Given the role that sleep may have in mood stability and suicidality in BD, it seems imperative to further understand the association of sleep and suicide and how sleep interventions may be useful to reduce suicidality in BD. Thus, the primary aim of this study is to use an innovative home sleep monitoring device, or the Embla, to examine the association of sleep and suicidality in adult outpatients with BD. The Embla is unique in that it is a non-invasive device that can characterize sleep profiles by measuring the degree of sleep fragmentation and percentage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The study duration is five to six weeks such that patients wear the Embla device for Week 1, participate in a brief sleep intervention for suicide during Weeks 2 and 3, and 4, and then wear the Embla device for one more week (Week 5). This intervention consists of three, 60-min sessions and utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies (e.g., psychoeducation, cognitive re-structuring, problem solving, behavioral activation) to improve sleep disturbance. The investigators expect that individuals at study entry with more sleep disturbance (as measured by the Embla) will report more suicidal ideation and behaviors. The investigators also hypothesize that from pre- to post-intervention, individuals will report less sleep disturbance as well as suicidal ideation and behaviors. Data from this research has immediate and practical implications for providers and their patients as it the first examination of sleep phenotypes and suicide in a high risk population as well as to explore the association of improvements in sleep with suicidality.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of depression as well as episodes of mania (abnormally high mood). Individuals with bipolar disorder experience high rates of suicidal ideation and behavior, with risk of death due to suicide estimated to be 20 times greater than the general population. Moreover, some research suggests that among individuals treated for bipolar disorder, approximately 40% will report a past suicide attempt. Other studies suggest that between 25 and 65% of patients with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide and that between 4 and 19% of these individuals will be successful. Among the DSM-IV-TR Axis I disorders, suicide appears to be the highest in bipolar disorder. Individuals with bipolar disorder have a greater likelihood of both current and past suicidal ideation if they have an anxiety disorder, have an earlier age of onset, or a more severe course of illness. Nevertheless, there is a continued need for information on the epidemiology and risk factors for suicidal ideation and behavior in this population.

Several studies have shown that sleep difficulties (i.e., insomnia, hypersomnia, poor sleep quality, and nightmares) are significantly associated with suicidal ideation, even after controlling for depression. These disturbances are well documented during episodes of depression and mania, but sleep disturbances have also been shown to persist during periods of relative mood stability. A common symptom in bipolar patients experiencing manic episodes is a reduced need for sleep, and several studies using polysomnography have identified decreased REM sleep latency in manic episodes. Utilizing self-report measures, studies of bipolar patients in depressive episodes have identified variable rates of hypersomnia and insomnia as common factors. However, research conducted using laboratory-based polysomnography during depressive episodes have reported disparate findings.

This proposal involves a test of a novel measure of sleep architecture in patients with bipolar disorder, using a newly available home sleep monitoring device called Embla (www.embla.com). This device sticks to the skin on the chest with standard EKG-adhesive stickers and captures electrocardiogram (EKG) during sleep. The Embla device also measures movement, snoring, body position, and light levels. The on-board storage allows 2-3 weeks of nightly recording. By using an unobtrusive and potentially informative measure of sleep architecture, this protocol will allow longitudinal, objective information about sleep disturbance to be compared with corresponding mood states in patients with bipolar disorder.

Overall, this protocol is investigating the relationship between suicidality and sleep disturbance as well as assessing whether a brief CBT intervention for sleep disturbance is associated with reduced suicidal ideation and/or behavior. Since research suggests that CBT is an effective adjunct treatment for reducing suicidality in this population, and that treatment for insomnia can improve sleep in individuals with bipolar disorder, the present research has important implications for the prevention and intervention of suicide in this vulnerable population. To the investigators knowledge, no investigations have looked at the effectiveness of CBT on both sleep and suicidality in bipolar disorder. Furthermore, while past research has relied almost exclusively on subjective reports of sleep, this study captures both subjective and objective measures of sleep.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
60

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
        • Massachusetts General Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years to 61 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18-65.
  • Have a primary diagnosis of bipolar I or bipolar II disorder
  • Have a reported sleep disturbance
  • Have reported suicide ideation (thoughts)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any known or active sleep disorder (such as sleep apnea)
  • Any history of significant cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, hepatic, or renal disease
  • Any history of malignancy, chemotherapy, or radiation
  • Any skin condition that would prevent wearing the device
  • Pregnancy
  • Current or suspected sleep apnea
  • Current use of certain medications including beta blockers
  • Known diagnosis of atrial fibrillation
  • Acute major depressive or manic episode

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Brief Sleep Intervention
Every participant in the study will complete a 3-session sleep intervention with a clinician to improve sleep problems such as insomnia or hypersomnia.
Behavioral: Brief Sleep Intervention
Participants will meet with a therapist for three sessions to try to improve sleep problems (hypersomnia or insomnia, depending on the problems the participant has).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
High Frequency Coupling (HFC)
Time Frame: 6 weeks

High Frequency Coupling (HFC) is a measure of the portion of unstable versus stable sleep, and this is measured by the Embla device.

HFC has been validated in a variety of circumstances, and correlates with cardiovascular and mental health outcomes(Thomas, 2006).
6 weeks
Modified Scale of Suicidal Ideation (MSSI)
Time Frame: 5 weeks
The MSSI is a 19-item clinical research instrument designed to quantify and assess suicidal intention.
5 weeks
The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS)
Time Frame: 5 weeks
The CSSRS records suicidal behavior on the basis of attempts, non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, interrupted attempts, aborted attempts, and preparatory acts or behaviors.
5 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
Time Frame: 5 weeks
The MADRS is a 10-item clinician-rated scale to measure the overall severity of depressive symptoms.
5 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Percentage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
Time Frame: 5 weeks
5 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time Frame: 5 weeks
9-item self-rated questionnaire that measures sleep quality and sleep disturbance over the past month
5 weeks
Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)
Time Frame: 5 weeks
The YMRS aims to quantify the degree of mania in patients who already have a diagnosis of BD and is the most widely studied instrument for mania
5 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Massachusetts General Hospital

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Louisa G Sylvia, Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 1, 2013

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 15, 2018

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 15, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 7, 2013

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 8, 2013

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 9, 2013

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 6, 2019

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 5, 2019

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • SRG-0-071-11

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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