WHAT IS SLEEPWELL?
Sleepwell is a research and knowledge mobilization program with two main objectives:
Sleepwell Research
Transforming how
insomnia is treated
- To achieve better insomnia treatment outcomes with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi). See the research on CBTi.
- To reduce sleeping pill use and related harms. See the research on sleeping pill dangers.
To help achieve these objectives, the Sleepwell Team conducts research and shares information with the public, healthcare professionals, policy makers, and other researchers.
FEATURED RESEARCH
The YAWNS NB randomized clinical trial
For the YAWNS NB (Your Answers When Needing Sleep in New Brunswick) randomized clinical trial, we prepared an education package about sleeping pills and CBTi. It included two booklets, How to Stop Sleeping Pills and How to Get Your Sleep Back. It was mailed directly to people with long-term use of sleeping pills. In the study, we compared the Sleepwell package with another direct to-patient mailed package called the EMPOWER package. It also included two booklets and had been previously shown to reduce sleeping pill use. A third group in the study received no information package. This was the treatment-as-usual (TAU) group. Participants in all three groups were encouraged to see their health care providers as they would normally.
Research Questions
Will people receiving the Sleepwell package respond to its contents by: 1) reducing and stopping sleeping pills; 2) using the sleep enhancing techniques of CBTi; and 3) improving their sleep and having less daytime sleepiness?
Findings
The YAWNS NB study results were published in JAMA Psychiatry in September 2024. There were 565 people in the study with an average age of 72 and 11 years of taking sleeping pills. Mailing Sleepwell’s booklets directly to older adults led to more participants reducing or stopping their sleeping pill use over 6 months. Sleepwell also showed greater use of CBTi techniques, better sleep, and reduced daytime sleepiness.
WHAT DO FAMILY DOCTORS THINK ABOUT THE SLEEPWELL INTERVENTION?
Our survey of family doctors showed a strong preference for Sleepwell as a direct-to-patient intervention. Sleepwell was identified as an “ethical, credible, and valuable tool.” Read the full publication here.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS?
For people with insomnia
Sleepwell’s booklets can help people with insomnia to safely reduce their reliance on sleeping pills. For those with insomnia not currently taking sleeping pills, the booklets offer specific recommendations for improving sleep with CBTi.
For clinicians
Sleepwell booklets help clinicians talk with their patients about reducing reliance on sleeping pills, facilitate their transition to CBTi, and support them starting a CBTi program.
For public health
Our research has identified Sleepwell as a low-effort, efficient, and scalable direct-to-patient intervention, making it well-suited for sleep health promotion campaigns.
HOW CAN I ORDER THE BOOKLETS?
Sleepwell’s booklets are available for small and large orders through our Resource Centre.
IN WHAT LANGUAGES ARE THE BOOKLETS AVAILABLE?
Sleepwell’s booklets are available in English and French. If you are interested in translating the booklets into another language, you can get in touch with us by submitting a digital copy request here.