RCT of Brief CBT-I in Primary Care Veterans With Suicidal Thoughts

December 21, 2023 updated by: VA Office of Research and Development

Improving Sleep as a Strategy to Reduce Suicide Risk Among At-Risk Veterans: A Real World Clinical Trial

There is a strong association between insomnia and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Insomnia also frequently co-occurs with other common conditions associated with suicide such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. This project focuses on improving sleep as a novel suicide prevention strategy that can be delivered to a broad range of Veterans. The study will examine how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, an efficacious treatment for insomnia, may reduce suicidal thoughts in Veterans who also suffer from co-occurring conditions when delivered by integrated primary care clinicians.

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

Anticipated Benefit to VA Healthcare The proposed study will establish the feasibility and effectiveness of treating insomnia in the primary care environment as a suicide prevention strategy. By treating insomnia, a common problem that is both a risk factor for suicide and highly prevalent in common conditions associated with suicide such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the investigators expect to reduce the severity of suicidal ideation (SI) among Veterans experiencing SI, insomnia and a co-occurring condition.

Project Background Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., is a major concern of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and occurs at elevated rates among Veterans. Veterans with common chronic conditions such as PTSD and depression are at increased risk for suicide. Although evidence-based treatments exist for these conditions, a significant number of Veterans do not engage in or complete such treatments leaving them at higher risk for suicide.

This application builds upon VA funded pilot work that demonstrated the feasibility of delivering a brief version of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) within primary care to Veterans experiencing SI. The pilot data suggest that the investigators' brief, primary-care based insomnia treatment was delivered with high fidelity, acceptable to Veterans and associated with significant reductions in insomnia and depression symptoms, and reduced SI intensity. The next stage of this program of research is to establish the feasibility of delivering the brief, primary care based, insomnia intervention utilizing primary care-mental health integration (PC-MHI) clinicians (as opposed to research staff) and to establish the effectiveness of the intervention on reducing the severity of factors that contribute to suicide risk and to improve other clinical markers in a definitive trial.

Project Objectives The ultimate goal of the broader program of research is to reduce suicide among Veterans by intervening upon sleep disturbance as a modifiable risk factor for suicide. In this application the investigators focus on insomnia, which is the most common sleep disorder among Veterans and is robustly associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

The primary objective of this proposed clinical trial is to test whether (and how) using brief behavioral insomnia treatment can not only improve sleep, but reduce other risk factors for suicide including the severity of depression, PTSD and suicidal ideation among Veterans at risk for suicide. Secondary objectives are to: (1) gather initial data on barriers and facilitators to implementation to aid future implementation efforts in VA primary care and (2) determine if the intervention improves attitudes towards psychotherapy treatments that address the co-morbid conditions.

Project Methods In order to achieve these objectives the investigators will conduct a real-world, randomized clinical trial among 240 Veterans experiencing either co-occurring depression or PTSD recruited from primary clinics at three VA sites. These Veterans, who will also endorse SI and insomnia, will be randomized to receive either a brief course of CBT-I or a sleep hygiene intervention of similar length. Assessments of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, insomnia, depression, and PTSD will be conducted at baseline, post-treatment, and every 6 weeks thereafter until 6 months post-treatment. Mixed effects modeling and structured equation modeling will be applied to determine how improvements in sleep and other symptoms (e.g. depression, PTSD) contribute to reductions in SI severity. In addition, the investigators will collect, code and analyze participant and provider feedback to assess barriers and facilitators of implementation in real-world clinical practice.

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 (Actual)

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.
283

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 Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New York
      • Buffalo, New York, United States, 14215-1129
        • VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY
      • Canandaigua, New York, United States, 14424-1159
        • VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System, Canandaigua, NY
      • Syracuse, New York, United States, 13210-2716
        • Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY

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

18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • English speaking
  • Veteran seeking or receiving services at the Canandaigua, Buffalo or Syracuse VA Medical Centers
  • Demonstrate understanding of informed consent
  • Endorse current death/suicidal ideation on item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9
  • An Insomnia Severity Index score > 10 with trouble sleeping 3 months and at least 1 insomnia-related daytime consequence

  • Either:

    • [a] a current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Depression not otherwise specified or PTSD
    • [b] a score of > 16 on the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression (PHQ-9) or a score > 46 on the PTSD Symptom Checklist
  • If using psychotropic medications the dosage must be stable

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, Bipolar I or II disorder, or current psychiatric conditions such as psychosis, mania, dementia or cognitive impairment
  • A suicide attempt within the last 6 months or [report of SI with active plan or intent in the past month]
  • Currently engaged in inpatient or partial hospitalization programs
  • Recent substance dependence disorder with < 6 months abstinence
  • Narcolepsy
  • Circadian rhythm disorders
  • Restless legs syndrome
  • Untreated sleep apnea based upon chart review

  • A sleep disorders screening questionnaire and the STOP-BANG sleep apnea questionnaire

    • Sleep medications are not exclusionary, but participants using them must still meet insomnia criteria

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: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

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: CBT-I
Four individual sessions that will last approximately 15-30 minutes each across a 6-week time period, with the option to deliver sessions over the telephone as necessary.
Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
The intervention will consist of a standard, structured, multi-component intervention for insomnia that includes sleep education, sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, stimulus control, and cognitive therapy.
Active Comparator: Sleep Hygiene
Four individual sessions that will last 15-30 minutes each across a 6-week time period, with the option to deliver sessions over the telephone as necessary.
Behavioral: Sleep Hygiene
The intervention will include basic psychoeducation about sleep, discussion of sleep hygiene factors that disrupt and improve sleep, setting sleep hygiene goals, and developing action steps to achieve those goals.

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
Insomnia Severity Index Change
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and 6 Month follow-up (Week 30)
The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is a 7-item self-report measure of insomnia symptoms. Each item is rated on a 0-4-point scale with a total score range of 0-28 where higher scores indicate greater severity.
Baseline (Week 0) and 6 Month follow-up (Week 30)

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
PTSD Symptom Checklist-DSM 5 Change
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and 6 Month follow-up (Week 30)
The PTSD Symptom Checklist-DSM 5 version is a 20-item self-report measure of PTSD symptoms. Each item is rated on a 0-4 point scale with a total score range of 0-80 where higher scores indicate greater severity.
Baseline (Week 0) and 6 Month follow-up (Week 30)
Patient Health Questionnaire-Depression Change
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and 6 Month follow-up (Week 30)
The Patient Health Questionnaire-Depression is a 9-item self-report measure of depression symptoms. Each item is rated on a 0-3 point scale with a total score range of 0-27 where higher scores indicate greater severity.
Baseline (Week 0) and 6 Month follow-up (Week 30)
Scale for Suicidal Ideation Change
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and 6 Month follow-up (Week 30)
The Scale for Suicidal Ideation is a clinician administered scale with 19-items related to suicidal ideation. Each item is rated on a 0-2 point scale with a total score range of 0-38 where higher scores indicate greater severity.
Baseline (Week 0) and 6 Month follow-up (Week 30)

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.
VA Office of Research and Development

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: Wilfred R. Pigeon, PhD, VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System, Canandaigua, NY

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.
February 18, 2019

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.
December 31, 2022

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.
June 30, 2023

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).
July 19, 2018

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.
July 26, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

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.
July 27, 2018

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.
June 17, 2024

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.
December 21, 2023

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.
December 1, 2023

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.
  • IIR 16-055
  • I01HX002183-01A2 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

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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