JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Medical students are frequently affected by poor sleep quality. Since poor sleep quality has negative physiological and psychological consequences such as on executive function, there is an opportunity to improve sleep quality and executive functions using non-pharmacological intervention such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Objective:

The aim of this study therefore is to determine if improving sleep quality could improve executive functions in medical students with poor sleep quality by comparing cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) with sleep hygiene education (SHE) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods:

A parallel group, RCT with a target sample of 110 medical students recruited from government-based medical universities in Malaysia. Eligible participants will be randomized to internet group CBT-I or internet group SHE in a 1:1 ratio. Assessments will be performed at baseline, post-intervention, 1 month, 3-months, and 6-months. The primary outcome is between-group differences in sleep quality and executive function post-baseline. The secondary outcomes include pre-sleep worry, attitude about sleep, sleep hygiene and sleep parameters.

Results:

This study received approval from the Research Ethics Committee (JKEUPM) in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Permission to conduct the study has also been obtained from the National Medical Research Register (RSCHID-23-05419- Q7U).

Conclusions:

This study is the first attempt to design a CBT intervention to ameliorate insomnia and its related negative effects among medical students. This research is also the first large-scale exploring the relationship between health status and CBT-mediated sleep improvement among medical students.