Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Internet-Based Self-Help Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI): A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to develop an Internet-based self-help therapy program for insomnia in Chinese language, and to conduct a randomized waiting-list controlled trial on the efficacy of Internet-based self-help therapy for insomnia.

This study is a randomized controlled trial in patients with insomnia. Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to self-help treatment with telephone consultation (SHTC), self-help treatment without telephone consultation (SH), or waiting-list control. The subjects will receive self-help treatment once per week for 6 consecutive weeks. In addition to self-help treatment, the subjects in SHTC group will receive telephone consultation once per week for 6 consecutive weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hong Kong residents aged ≥18 years
• Predominant complaint of difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or early morning awakening or nonrestorative sleep with associated distress or impairment in social, occupational and other important areas of functioning for at least 3 nights per week for at least 3 months based on self- administered questionnaire
• Able to read Chinese and type Chinese or English
• Have Internet access (PC/ mobile phone), and with an email address
• Willing to give informed consent and comply with the trial protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have suicidal ideas based on self-report