A single-case multiple baseline design for treating insomnia in eating disorders: The TIRED study

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the novel use of an empirically supported treatment for sleep problems for people with residual insomnia disorder following ED treatment.

Method Participants (N = 6) will complete a single-case multiple baseline study using Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia (Buysse et al., Archives of Internal Medicine, 171, 2011, 887–895; Troxel et al., Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 10, 2012, 266–279). Participants will complete pre- and post-treatment evaluations of insomnia severity, sleep efficiency, daytime fatigue, ED symptoms, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Throughout treatment, participants will complete daily diaries of sleep indices (sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency).

Results The primary outcome will be treatment effects on insomnia severity, measured by the Insomnia Severity Index. Secondary outcomes include sleep efficiency and daytime fatigue. Exploratory outcomes include ED-related impairment and symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms. We will provide subject-level graphs of sleep indices and ED symptoms throughout treatment. Additionally, treatment effects will be examined at one- and three-month follow-up.

Discussion Although insomnia treatments have been evaluated in other psychiatric disorders, there has yet to be a study examining behavioral interventions for insomnia in EDs. Results of this study will inform the development and application of interventions for residual insomnia symptoms in this population.