Added Value of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia in Persons With Knee Osteoarthritis (PREMEO)

Towards PREcision MEdicine for Osteoarthritis: Added Value of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the leading and fastest increasing cause of disability in older adults. It is a serious health issue related with a high health care utilisation. The first-line KOA management is nonsurgical care, with education and exercise therapy as key elements. Nevertheless, treatment effects of exercise therapy and behavioral pain management on improvements in pain, function and quality of life are small to moderate at best. This shows that there is an urgent need for better KOA care. The innovative solution may lie in thinking beyond joints, by targeting KOA subgroups through comorbidity-specific interventions, which fits well in the global move towards precision medicine. With a prevalence rate up to 50%, the presence of insomnia symptoms is a highly prevalent KOA comorbidity, contributing to symptom severity. If left untreated, it represents a barrier for effective conservative management. Since insomnia is nowadays hardly addressed in the often joint-targeted KOA care, the scientific objectives of the study are to assess 1) if cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) integrated in best-evidence usual care, consisting of education and exercise therapy, (CBTi-UC) is more effective than best-evidence usual care alone (UC), i.e. education and exercise therapy, at 6 months follow-up in improving clinical outcomes and 2) if CBTi-UC is more cost-effective than UC in KOA patients with comorbid insomnia.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Osteoarthritis, Knee; Insomnia
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) integrated in best-evidence usual care (CBTi-UC); Behavioral: Best-evidence usual care (UC) plus information sessions

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 128
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Belgium
  • Leuven
    • Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, 3000
      • Department Rehabilitation Science

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 45 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

45 years old or older

Being a fluent Dutch speaker

Commits to study requirements

Knee Osteoarthritis classified using the American college of Rheumatology criteria (Knee pain + 3/6 for diagnosis):

• age>50
• morning stiffness <30 minutes
• crepitus
• bony tenderness
• bony enlargement
• no palpable warmth

Insomnia diagnosis using the DSM-5 criteria:

• No shiftwork
• No severe untreated sleep disorders
• For at least >3 days / week for >3 months: >30 minutes sleep latency and/or >30 minutes awake after sleep onset and/or early-morning awakening with inability to return to sleep AND associated daytime symptoms

Knee pain nominated by the patient as 3 or higher on a visual analogue scale on most days of the last 3 months

Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Treatment with supervised exercise therapy or joint infiltrations (e.g., corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid) or CBT-I in the preceding six months

Change in any psychiatric or psychological treatment the last 3m or planned during the study period

Concurrent intense psychological treatment (weekly basis)

BMI >30

Mini-Mental state examination score of 23 or lower

Being on the waiting list for a knee replacement or having received knee replacement on symptomatic side

Any contra-indication for exercise therapy

Existing diagnose that has impact on sleep and patients are therefore unlikely to respond to CBT-I: any rheumatological condition (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Sjogren's syndrome); any neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease), dementia or receiving cholinesterase inhibitors; cancer diagnosis in the past year and receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the past year; Long-COVID or inpatient treatment for congestive heart failure within the prior six months.

Having severe underlying sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea over AHI >15, periodic leg movement disorder, restless leg syndrome, sleep-wake cycle disturbance, rapid eye movement behavior disorder)

Being pregnant or given birth in the preceding year

Having an external/ physical factor that limits the opportunity to sleep (E.g. newborn)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) integrated in best-evidence usual care (CBTi-UC); 18 individual sessions provided by physiotherapists, over 14 weeks.	Behavioral: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) integrated in best-evidence usual care (CBTi-UC); In the first two weeks, the participants will receive three sessions of education and advice based on current best-practice guidelines. In the following three weeks, the participants will be provided with once weekly exercise therapy and once weekly CBT-I. This is then spread out more over the next five weeks in which participants will receive once weekly sessions of either CBT-I or exercise therapy in alternating order. In the last four weeks of the intervention period, the participants will receive once weekly exercise therapy.
Active Comparator: Best-evidence usual care (UC) plus information sessions; 18 individual sessions provided by physiotherapists, over 14 weeks.	Behavioral: Best-evidence usual care (UC) plus information sessions; In the first two weeks, the participants will receive three sessions of education and advice based on current best-practice guidelines. In the following three weeks, the participants will be provided with once weekly exercise therapy and once weekly general information sessions (general education sessions in line with recommendations from best-practice guidelines and recent evidence). This is then spread out more over the next five weeks in which participants will receive once weekly sessions of either CBT-I or exercise therapy in alternating order. In the last four weeks of the intervention period, the participants will receive once weekly exercise therapy.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Pain subscale Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score	The pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) will be used as primary outcome to assess change in pain. The KOOS shows adequate content validity, internal consistency, reliability, content validity and responsiveness for age and condition relevant subscales. The pain scale consists of 9 items. A Likert scale is used and all items have five possible answer options scored from 0 (No Problems) to 4 (Extreme Problems). The total score ranges from 0 to 36.	6 months after the end of therapy

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Pain subscale Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score	The pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) will be used as primary outcome to assess change in pain. The KOOS shows adequate content validity, internal consistency, reliability, content validity and responsiveness for age and condition relevant subscales. The pain scale consists of 9 items. A Likert scale is used and all items have five possible answer options scored from 0 (No Problems) to 4 (Extreme Problems). The total score ranges from 0 to 36.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in impact of pain on functioning	The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) evaluates the impact of pain on functioning. The BPI measures how much pain interferes with seven daily activities, including general activity, walking, work, mood, enjoyment of life, relations with others, and sleep on an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (ranging from 0-10).	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in self-reported central sensitization symptoms	The Central Sensitization Inventory investigates self-reported central sensitization symptoms. Score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more self-reported symptoms of central sensitization.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in sleep quality	The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index investigates self-reported perceived sleep quality. Score ranges from 0 to 21, 0 indicating no difficulty and 21 indicating severe sleep difficulties.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep	The Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep questionnaire investigates self-reported dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep. Score ranges from 0 to 10. Scores above 4 indicate unrealistic expectations for sleep or unrealistic thoughts about sleep.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in sleep propensity	The Epworth Sleepiness Scale investigates self-reported sleep propensity. Score ranges from 0 to 24, with 0 indicating normal daytime sleepiness and 24 indicating severe excessive daytime sleepiness.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in pain-related fear of movement	The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia - 17 item version investigates pain-related fear of movement and (re)injury. Each item is scored on a 4-point Likert Scale, ranging from one ("strongly disagree") to four ("strongly agree"). The total score ranges between 17 and 68, with higher values reflecting greater fear of movement	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in physical function	Change in physical function is assessed with the function in daily living subscale of the Knee injury. and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Global assessment	The patient global assessment is a recommended question in clinical trials of rehabilitation interventions for OA and it measures the improvement or deterioration of their condition since baseline, and therefore since the intervention has started. It will be assessed by patients on a 7-point Likert scale (very much improved, much improved, slightly improved, not changed, slightly worsened, much worsened, and vastly worsened).	After 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in physical activity and sleep behaviour	Using Fitbit Sense, physical activity measures such as the number of steps as well as sleep parameters will be retrieved with custom-made algorithms to quantify daily movement/sleep behaviours	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in physical activity and sleep behaviour during intervention	Using Fitbit Sense, physical activity measures such as the number of steps as well as sleep parameters will be retrieved with custom-made algorithms to quantify daily movement/sleep behaviours	after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14
Change in pain intensity	The Numeric Rating Scale for pain assesses the intensity of pain. It is an 11-point scale that requires the patient to select a number ranging from zero ("no pain") to ten ("worst possible pain"). The average and worst pain intensity in last week is questioned.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in pain intensity during intervention	The Numeric Rating Scale for pain assesses the intensity of pain. It is an 11-point scale that requires the patient to select a number ranging from zero ("no pain") to ten ("worst possible pain"). The average and worst pain intensity in last week is questioned.	Bafter intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14
Change in insomnia Severity	The Insomnia Severity Index investigates self-reported insomnia severity. Score ranges from 0 to 28, with 0 indicating no clinically significant insomnia and 28 indicating severe clinical insomnia.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in insomnia Severity during intervention	The Insomnia Severity Index investigates self-reported insomnia severity. Score ranges from 0 to 28, with 0 indicating no clinically significant insomnia and 28 indicating severe clinical insomnia.	after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14
Change in fatigue severity	The Brugmann Fatigue Scale investigates self-reported fatigue severity. Score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating higher subjective levels of fatigue.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in fatigue severity during intervention	The Brugmann Fatigue Scale investigates self-reported fatigue severity. Score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating higher subjective levels of fatigue.	after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14
Change in pain catastrophizing	The Pain Catastrophizing Scale assesses negative thoughts and feelings when experiencing pain. Each item is scored from zero ("not at all") to four ("all the time"). Its total score ranges between 0 and 52, with a higher total score indicating higher levels of pain catastrophizing.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapy and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in pain catastrophizing during intervention	The Pain Catastrophizing Scale assesses negative thoughts and feelings when experiencing pain. Each item is scored from zero ("not at all") to four ("all the time"). Its total score ranges between 0 and 52, with a higher total score indicating higher levels of pain catastrophizing.	after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14
Change in anxiety and Depression	The Hospital Anxiety and Depression rating scale investigates self-reported affective symptoms. Score ranges from 0 to 21, with 0 indicating absence of depression or anxiety and 21 indicating the presence of depression or anxiety.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), 3 months after the end of therapy, 6 months after the end of therapyand 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in anxiety and depression during intervention	The Hospital Anxiety and Depression rating scale investigates self-reported affective symptoms. Score ranges from 0 to 21, with 0 indicating absence of depression or anxiety and 21 indicating the presence of depression or anxiety.	after intervention week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14
Change in Pressure Pain Thresholds	Pressure Pain Thresholds are measured with a digital pressure algometer (Wagner Instruments), both at symptomatic level (knee) and at remote sites (i.e. secondary hyperalgesia).	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in biomarkers for inflammation by blood analysis	A relevant panel of biomarkers for chronic low-grade inflammation, modulation of inflammation and pain will be investigated (ultra-sensitivity ELISA for hsCRP, interleukin (IL)1β, IL1RA, IL6, IL8, IL10, MCP1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α, sTNFR1&2, CXCL-10, CX3CL1). Blood sampling will be performed at the hospital after overnight fasting.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in physical performance	30sec chair stand test to test leg strength and endurance.While monitoring the participant's performance to ensure proper form, the tester silently counts the completion of each correct stand. The score is the total number of stands within 30 seconds	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in health care use	Health care use (including co-interventions) will be recorded using the Medical Consumption Questionnaire, a generic instrument for measuring total, (in-)direct medical consumption. This questionnaire is easy-to-use and generates valid data.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in productivity cost	The Productivity Cost Questionnaire will be used to obtain data regarding productivity losses. This questionnaire is easy-to-use and generate valid data.	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in health-related quality of life	The EQ-5D-5L will be used to assess health-related quality of life and to calculated utility health states for the cost-utility analysis. The EQ-5D-5L essentially consists of 2 pages: the EQ-5D descriptive system and the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). The descriptive system comprises five dimensions, with each dimension consisting of 5 levels: no problems, slight problems, moderate problems, severe problems and extreme problems. The patient is asked to indicate his/her health state by ticking the box next to the most appropriate statement in each of the five dimensions. Higher scores indicate a higher quality of life	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention), and 12 months after the end of therapy
Change in objective sleep assessed with polysomnography (PSG)	Participants will be monitored in the comfort of their own home by ambulatory PSG, one night at echt timepoint. PSG will provide sleep related outcomes (time in bed, total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake duration after sleep onset, early morning awakening, sleep staging N1, N2, N3, REM in durations and % of total sleep time, sleep efficiency, respiratory parameters, myoclonic activity).	Baseline, after 14 weeks (post-intervention)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
• Collaborators: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven; KU Leuven
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jo Nijs, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 25, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 12, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 18, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): May 24, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 3, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 26, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Arthritis; Pain; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; sleep initiation and maintenance problems; Sleep Wake Disorder
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Joint Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Osteoarthritis; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Arthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Dyssomnias; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: FWO TBM T000521N

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