Deep Sleep in Older Adults

Description

Insomnia is highly prevalent in older adults and is associated with impaired daytime functioning and increased risk for cognitive decline. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first-line treatment, yet access, adherence, and scalability remain persistent barriers, particularly for older populations. Digital CBT-I programs address some access challenges but often demonstrate reduced adherence and diminished effectiveness in real-world use.

This study evaluates a fully remote, automated digital CBT-I system that integrates mobile software with Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled environmental cues and artificial intelligence-driven personalization. The intervention is designed to promote adherence to CBT-I principles by passively supporting sleep-wake routines using adaptive sound, light, and behavioral prompts delivered through consumer electronic devices in the participant’s home environment.

The study is a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial conducted entirely remotely in community-dwelling older adults with clinically significant insomnia symptoms. Following screening and baseline assessment, participants are randomly assigned in equal allocation to one of three study arms: (1) an automated CBT-I system enhanced with IoT-based sound and light cues and personalized digital content, (2) an active digital CBT-I comparator, or (3) a sleep hygiene education active comparator condition. All participants receive comparable study devices and interaction time to maintain blinding and control for expectancy effects.

The intervention period lasts six weeks and is preceded by a baseline assessment phase and followed by post-intervention and follow-up assessments. Throughout the study, participants complete standardized self-report measures of insomnia severity and engage in repeated, brief cognitive assessments administered via mobile devices. Objective sleep data are collected using non-invasive, ambulatory sensing technologies that operate passively in the home environment.

The primary objective of the study is to compare changes in insomnia severity across study arms. Secondary objectives include evaluation of sleep characteristics, adherence to behavioral recommendations, and performance on cognitive tasks sensitive to sleep-related changes in older adults. The study is designed to assess feasibility, usability, and preliminary efficacy of an automated, home-based digital CBT-I approach that emphasizes adherence support and sleep quality enhancement.

This trial will contribute evidence on whether an integrated digital and IoT-based behavioral intervention can improve insomnia outcomes and support cognitive functioning in older adults, informing future large-scale trials and potential clinical implementation.