Trial Protocol Tests Group Sleep Program for University Students

A new study protocol outlines a pragmatic, two-arm randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, group-based sleep program for university students suffering from insomnia symptoms. The research, led by Eivind Andersen and colleagues including Fredrik Lie Haugen, Heidi Lindsverk, Oda Eline Aasland, Anne Sæther, and Bjørn Bjorvatn, aims to address the high prevalence of poor sleep among students, which is linked to impaired mental and physical health, reduced cognitive functioning, and lower academic performance. The trial is positioned as a pragmatic evaluation of an intervention tailored specifically to the higher education context, seeking to create sustainable changes in sleep habits that extend beyond the immediate program period.

The study design involves recruiting a total of 118 full-time students aged 18 to 30 who meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia disorder. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or a wait-list control group. The intervention consists of 12 weekly 90-minute group sessions followed by nine monthly follow-up meetings. These sessions are facilitated by trained coaches and integrate core elements of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) with motivational and coping strategies. The delivery format is interactive and peer-supported, distinguishing it from traditional individual CBT-I approaches which, while widely recognised as effective, often lack scalability and feasibility in non-clinical settings.

The primary outcome of the trial is the change in insomnia severity, measured using the Bergen Insomnia Scale. In addition to this primary metric, the researchers will assess a comprehensive range of secondary outcomes. These include both subjective and objective sleep measures, mental health indicators, cognitive performance, academic attainment, health behaviours, physical fitness, and biological markers. Assessments are scheduled to be conducted at three distinct time points: baseline, post-program at 12 weeks, and at a 12-month follow-up. This longitudinal approach allows the team to evaluate not only the immediate impact of the intervention but also its durability over time.

Embedded within the trial is a mixed methods process evaluation designed to assess fidelity, acceptability, mechanisms of impact, and contextual influences. This component is crucial for understanding how the program functions in a real-world university setting and identifying factors that may influence its success. By developing a group-based approach that helps students develop self-endorsed routines and competencies, the study aims to provide a scalable model that can be delivered within the university environment.

The trial is expected to be among the first pragmatic evaluations of a structured, group-based sleep intervention tailored to university students with insomnia. Key strengths cited in the protocol include the randomised controlled design, the comprehensive outcome assessment, the 12-month follow-up period, and the embedded process evaluation. If the program proves effective, it could offer a feasible, scalable, and cost-effective model to improve sleep, health, and academic performance in young adults in higher education. The study addresses the need for pragmatic approaches that are tailored to help students develop sustainable changes, creating a potential pathway for broader implementation in educational institutions.

While the protocol outlines the planned methods and expected benefits, it does not yet provide efficacy results, as the trial is in the planning phase. The researchers emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up and feasibility in non-clinical settings, which are often lacking in existing interventions.

Subject of Research: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a group-based sleep program for university students

Article Title: Effects of a sleep program on sleep, performance and health in university students: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Article References: Andersen, E., Lie Haugen, F., Lindsverk, H., Aasland, O. E., Sæther, A., & Bjorvatn, B. (2026). Effects of a sleep program on sleep, performance and health in university students: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. PLOS One, 21(10), e0361815. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361815

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0361815

Keywords: sleep program, university students, insomnia, randomised controlled trial, CBT-I, academic performance, sleep hygiene, mental health, cognitive functioning, pragmatic trial, Effects, sleep