Combined Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia for Adolescents at High Risk for Suicide

Sponsor
Stanford University (Other)
Overall Status
Not yet recruiting
CT.gov ID
NCT05842863
Collaborator
(none)
44
1
2
30
1.5

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The proposed research addresses the urgent need to reduce suicide rates among teens. This will be the first study that we know of to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of augmenting a suicide-focused treatment (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, [DBT]) with an evidence-based treatment protocol for insomnia (a digital version of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia [CBT-I]). The goal of this clinical trial is to learn providing insomnia treatment in conjunction with suicide-focused treatment leads to greater reductions in suicidality and self-harm than suicide-focused treatment alone.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive 6 months of DBT plus CBT-I or to DBT alone and will complete research assessments measuring suicidal ideation, self-harm behavior and insomnia symptoms every four weeks over the course of the study, as well as one post-treatment follow-up assessment. Participants will also wear a device on their wrist (like a Fitbit or wristwatch) for 10 days following each assessment to collect data about their sleep.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
  • Behavioral: Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
N/A

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Anticipated Enrollment :
44 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Parallel Assignment
Masking:
Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose:
Treatment
Official Title:
Combined Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia for Adolescents at High Risk for Suicide: A Pilot RCT
Anticipated Study Start Date :
Dec 1, 2023
Anticipated Primary Completion Date :
May 31, 2026
Anticipated Study Completion Date :
May 31, 2026

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: Dialectical Behavior Therapy + Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Behavioral: Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT is a treatment program that helps teens reduce suicidal and self-harm behaviors by teaching them coping skills for managing negative emotions. DBT includes weekly individual therapy, weekly multifamily skills group, and 24/7 telephone-based skills coaching from the therapist.

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
CBTI is a type of counseling that helps people improve sleep by changing their sleep behaviors and thinking about sleep. In CBTI, people learn about sleep regulation, factors that influence quantity and quality of sleep, and specific techniques to optimize sleep. In this study, CBTI will be delivered using a self-guided online program called Firefly.

Active Comparator: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Only

Behavioral: Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT is a treatment program that helps teens reduce suicidal and self-harm behaviors by teaching them coping skills for managing negative emotions. DBT includes weekly individual therapy, weekly multifamily skills group, and 24/7 telephone-based skills coaching from the therapist.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

  1. Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire Junior [Baseline and change from baseline at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 36 weeks after the start of the DBT program.]

    15-item self-report measure of suicidal ideation.

  2. Insomnia Severity Index [Baseline and change from baseline at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 36 weeks after the start of the DBT program.]

    7-item self-report measure of insomnia symptom severity.

  3. Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Interview and Count [Baseline and change from baseline at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 36 weeks after the start of the DBT program.]

    Structured clinical interview that measures number, dates, method, intent and lethality of suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury episodes.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:
12 Years to 18 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Yes
Inclusion Criteria:
  1. 12-18 years of age and not yet graduated from high school.

  2. Insomnia symptoms, defined as a total score of ≥ 9 on the Insomnia Severity Index .

  3. High suicide risk, defined as: >1 lifetime suicide attempt, b) > 3 lifetime SH episodes (with at least 1 in the 12 weeks before baseline screening) and c) elevated SI (≥31 on the SIQ-Jr.).

  4. If taking medication for psychiatric disorders or sleep, must be on a stable dose (>2 months).

  5. Youth and parent both speak English.

  6. At least one family member or responsible adult agrees to participate in assessments and in the DBT multi-family skills group.

  7. Youth lives at home.

Exclusion Criteria:
  1. Significant current mania or psychosis; life threatening anorexia, or other diagnosis of a severe mental or physical condition requiring treatment specific to that disorder and/or that interferes with participation in assessments or treatment.

  2. A history of being diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

  3. Has a comorbid untreated sleep apnea or a severe circadian sleep-wake disorder with a habitual bedtime after 3 AM or habitual rise time after 11 AM.

  4. Insomnia symptoms are significantly impacted by substance use or withdrawal of psychoactive medications.

  5. Has conditions that require caution when implementing CBTI, such as bipolar and seizure disorders.

  6. Court-ordered to treatment.

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Site City State Country Postal Code
1 Michele Berk Stanford California United States 94305

Sponsors and Collaborators

  • Stanford University

Investigators

None specified.

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

None provided.
Responsible Party:
Michele Berk, Assistant Professor, Stanford University
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT05842863
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • 69003
First Posted:
May 6, 2023
Last Update Posted:
May 6, 2023
Last Verified:
May 1, 2023
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
No
Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Study Results

No Results Posted as of May 6, 2023