Aerobic Exercise Versus Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Effects of Aerobic Exercise Versus Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in University Students With Insomnia Complaints

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of aerobic exercise versus digital CBT-I in university students with insomnia complaints. This is a clinical trial. Participants will be randomized into two groups: aerobic exercise (n=25) and digital CBT-I (n=25). The severity of insomnia, sleep quality, pre-sleep cognitive and somatic arousal, and participants' complaints of depression, anxiety, and stress will be assessed using self-administered questionnaires. Based on previous studies describing the effects of physical exercise on chronic insomnia, the hypothesis of this study is that aerobic exercise promotes similar results compared to digital CBT-I in insomnia severity and sleep quality, in addition to improving the complaints of depression, anxiety and stress of the participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ages ≥ 18 years old
• insomnia severity index score >8
• be physically inactive according to the IPAQ questionnaire

Exclusion criteria:

• non-adherence to intervention protocols
• absence or incomplete answers in the questionnaires/evaluation methods of the study
• shift workers