Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:This study evaluates whether the Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention for Youth (TranS-C) improves objective sleep and rest-activity rhythms in a sample of youth with an evening circadian preference (ECP). METHODS:Youth with an ECP aged 10-18 years were randomized to receive 6 sessions of TranS-C (n = 60) or Psychoeducation (PE; n = 58). For one week prior to beginning treatment and within 2 weeks of completing treatment, participants wore an actiwatch to assess objective sleep and rest-activity rhythms. RESULTS:Among TranS-C participants, there were significant pre-post improvements in weeknight total sleep time (TST), weekend TST, and weeknight-weekend discrepancy in TST and sleep offset time. These changes were not significant in PE. There was no significant treatment by time interactions for the sleep or rest-activity outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:For youth with an ECP, TranS-C improves select objective sleep but not rest-activity outcomes, though compared to PE, these benefits did not reach statistical significance.

STUDY OBJECTIVES:The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between light and sleep, in adolescents with an evening circadian preference. METHODS:For a period of seven days, ninety-nine adolescents wore a wrist actigraph to assess light exposure and objective sleep and completed a sleep diary to assess subjective sleep. RESULTS:Lower average light intensity across the preceding 24 h was associated with a later sleep onset (p < 0.01) and a later next-day sleep offset (p < 0.05). A later time of last exposure to more than 10 lux was associated with a later sleep onset (p < 0.001) and a shorter objective total sleep time (p < 0.001), as well as a later bedtime (p < 0.001) and a shorter subjective total sleep time (p < 0.001). Furthermore, exploratory analyses found that lower average early morning light exposure (between 4 and 9 AM) was associated with later sleep onset (p < 0.05), a later next-day sleep offset (p < 0.05), and a later next-day waketime (p < 0.01), lower average afternoon light exposure (between 2 and 7 PM) was associated with a later next-day sleep offset (p < 0.05), and lower average evening light exposure (between 7 PM and 12 AM) was associated with longer subjective total sleep time (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION:This study highlights the importance of light exposure, particularly the timing of light exposure, for establishing healthy patterns of sleep among adolescents with a propensity for a delayed bedtime and waketime. These findings provide additional evidence for targeting light exposure when designing interventions to improve adolescent sleep.

There are mixed findings when examining if technology use is harmful for adolescent sleep and health. This study builds on these mixed findings by examining the association between technology use with sleep and health in a high-risk group of adolescents. Adolescents with an evening circadian preference (N = 176; 58% female, mean age = 14.77, age range = 10-18) completed measures over one week. Sleep was measured via actigraphy. Technology use and health were measured using ecological momentary assessment. Technology use was associated with an increase in sleep onset latency; with better emotional, social, cognitive, and physical health; and with worse behavioral health. This study offers support for technology use having some benefits and expands research on technology use to adolescents with an evening circadian preference.

OBJECTIVE:Perform a secondary analysis examining the efficacy of the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TranS-C) for depression symptom responses, and explore changes in potential target mechanisms. DESIGN/METHODS:Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial with convenience age subsamples (younger (20-49 year; n = 52) versus and older (50-71 years; n = 35)). SETTING/METHODS:Community mental health clinics. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS:Eighty-seven adults with serious mental illness. INTERVENTION/METHODS:TranS-C versus treatment as usual (TAU). MEASUREMENTS/METHODS:Outcomes were depression symptoms (Quick Inventory of Depression Symptoms), insomnia symptoms (Insomnia Severity Index), and objective sleep-wake rhythm measures (interdaily stability and relative amplitude). RESULTS: = 10.3, p = 0.001). There was a medium effect of TranS-C versus TAU on depression symptoms 6-months postintervention (Cohen's d = -0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.81, 0.01). In both age groups, there were large treatment effects on insomnia symptoms post-treatment (Cohen's d >0.90). In the older subsample, there were additionally medium treatment effects on post-treatment interdaily stability (Cohen's d = 0.60, 95% CI: -0.11, 1.61). Post-treatment reductions in insomnia symptoms correlated with depression symptom reduction 6-months later in the younger subsample (Spearman rho = 0.59, n = 20, p = 0.008). In older adults, postintervention increases in interdaily stability correlated with depression symptom reductions 6-months later (Spearman rho = -0.52, n = 15, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Confirmatory trials are needed, given the low age-specific sample sizes here, to determine if TranS -C's produces durable depression responses by increasing sleep-wake rhythm stability in older adults and improving insomnia symptoms in younger adults. BRIEF ARTICLE SUMMARY/UNASSIGNED:The authors evaluated preliminary efficacy of a behavioral intervention that targets sleep/sleep-wake rhythms, the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TranS-C), for depression symptoms in people with serious mental illness. TranS-C was associated with higher depression response rates than treatment as usual 6-months postintervention. The degree of depression symptom response 6-months later was related to the degree of treatment phase improvements in interdaily stability (in older adults) and reduction in insomnia severity (in younger adults). A pragmatic nonpharmacologic intervention, the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction, has preliminary efficacy for improving sleep-wake factors and depression symptoms.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:Mental health care clinicians' training in treating sleep problems was investigated. We examined clinicians' (1) prior training in providing treatment for sleep problems, (2) interest in receiving training in treatment for sleep problems, and (3) perceptions of the importance of treating sleep problems and interest in incorporating sleep treatments into their practices. METHODS:An online survey was completed by 137 clinicians. RESULTS:The majority of clinicians (61.31%) reported receiving prior training in treating sleep problems, most commonly in the form of a workshop and after receiving a graduate degree. Most clinicians reported interest in receiving further training in treating sleep problems. Clinicians reported that the majority (66.67%) of their clients experience sleep problems, yet reported that they address sleep with fewer than half of clients. Addressing sleep in treatment was rated as "somewhat" to "very" important and most clinicians indicated further interest in receiving training in treating sleep. CONCLUSIONS:Mental health care clinicians receive limited training in treating sleep problems. As clinicians are interested in gaining further training to address sleep concerns within their clinical practice, training programs and continuing education programs should consider increasing the amount of programming in sleep treatment and assessment.

The present study tested outcomes of the Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention (TranS-C) among midlife and older adults with serious mental illness (SMI). Further, we tested predictors-credibility, expectancy, usefulness, and utilization-that may affect TranS-C outcomes. Midlife and older participants from a community setting (>49 years, 62.3% female, 37.7% African American or Black) with sleep and circadian problems and SMI were randomized to receive TranS-C plus usual care (TranS-C+UC, n = 27) or usual care followed by delayed treatment with TranS-C (UC-DT, n = 26). Immediate and delayed TranS-C data were combined to increase power (combined n = 52). Outcomes were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up. Credibility and expectancy were assessed during the second session. Usefulness and utilization of TranS-C skills were assessed at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up. TranS-C+UC, relative to UC-DT, was associated with improvements in depression symptoms, sleep disturbance, overall sleep health, and select sleep/wake outcomes, though not all improvements were sustained at 6-month follow-up. Lower usefulness of TranS-C skills predicted more severe sleep disturbance at posttreatment and daytime sleep-related impairment at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up. Lower utilization predicted more severe psychiatric symptoms at posttreatment, sleep disturbance at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up, and overall impairment and daytime sleep-related impairment at 6-month follow-up. Higher credibility and expectancy predicted greater usefulness of TranS-C skills at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up and greater utilization at 6-month follow-up. Together, findings highlight benefits of TranS-C for midlife and older adults with SMI. However, boosting credibility, expectancy, utilization, and usefulness may meaningfully improve TranS-C outcomes.

STUDY OBJECTIVES:This study sought to examine the relationship between internet use, sleep, and internalizing disorder symptoms in adolescents with an evening circadian preference. METHODS:One hundred seventy-two adolescents aged 10-18 years with an evening circadian preference completed a week of sleep diaries and questionnaires about internet use and internalizing disorder symptoms. RESULTS:Adolescents reported internet use for 3.81 hours on weekdays and 5.44 hours on weekends, with > 90% having access to both a computer with internet and a personal cell phone. A majority of adolescents used the internet from 4-8 pm (71%) and from 9-11 pm (62%). Common online activities included listening to music (77%), watching videos (64%), communicating with others (64%), and doing homework (58%). Late-night internet use (9-11 pm) was associated with more internalizing disorder symptoms. Middle-of-the-night internet use (midnight-5 am) was associated with a later bedtime, shorter total sleep time, and more internalizing disorder symptoms. Adolescents used the internet to fulfill social needs, to avoid or combat boredom, or for maladaptive activities. Using the internet for social interaction or avoidance/boredom was associated with higher internalizing disorder symptoms. Using the internet for maladaptive reasons was associated with more late-night and middle-of-the-night use. CONCLUSIONS:Adolescent internet use late at night and in the middle of the night is common. Internet use may be motivated by desires for social connection, by boredom/avoidance, or for maladaptive behaviors. Because middle-of-the-night internet use was associated with higher internalizing disorder symptoms and worse sleep, it presents as a potential target for intervention. CITATION:2021;17(10):2019-2027.

OBJECTIVE:Comorbidity and subdiagnostic symptoms are understudied for sleep and circadian problems. We evaluated 1) impairment associated with (a) number of sleep and circadian problems and (b) diagnostic threshold (full diagnosis vs. subdiagnostic symptoms), and 2) Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention (TranS-C) outcomes for participants with specific sleep and circadian problems. METHOD/METHODS:Community participants (N = 121) with serious mental illness and sleep and circadian problem(s) were randomized to receive TranS-C plus usual care (TranS-C + UC) or usual care plus delayed TranS-C (UC-DT). Overall impairment, psychiatric symptoms, and sleep and circadian dysfunction were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: = 0.06-0.15). Diagnostic threshold was not associated with baseline functioning (ps > 0.05). TranS-C + UC versus UC-DT was associated with psychosocial and sleep and circadian improvements for specific sleep and circadian problems (insomnia, hypersomnia, parasomnias, periodic limb movement/restless leg syndrome, circadian rhythm disorders), though improvements varied by problem. TranS-C + UC outcomes were not moderated by number of sleep and circadian problems (ps > 0.05). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Higher numbers of sleep and circadian problems, not diagnostic threshold, were associated with greater impairment. Transdiagnostic utility of TranS-C + UC was supported.

OBJECTIVE:To determine if the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TranS-C) improves functional impairment, psychiatric symptoms, and sleep and circadian functioning. METHOD/METHODS:Adults diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and sleep and circadian dysfunction (N = 121) were randomly allocated to TranS-C plus usual care (TranS-C + UC; n = 61; 8 individual weekly sessions) or 6 months of Usual Care followed by Delayed Treatment with TranS-C (UC-DT; n = 60). Schizophrenia (45%) and anxiety disorders (47%) were common. Blind assessments were conducted pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6 months later (6FU). The latter two were the post-randomization points of interest. The location was Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services (ACBHCS), a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in California. RESULTS:For the primary outcomes, relative to UC-DT, TranS-C + UC was associated with reduction in functional impairment (b = -3.18, p = 0.025, d = -0.58), general psychiatric symptoms (b = -5.88, p = 0.001, d = -0.64), sleep disturbance (b = -5.55, p < .0001, d = -0.96), and sleep-related impairment (b = -9.14, p < .0001, d = -0.81) from pre-treatment to post-treatment. These effects were maintained to 6-month follow-up (6FU; d = -0.42 to -0.82), except functional impairment (d = -0.37). For the secondary outcomes, relative to UC-DT, TranS-C + UC was associated with improvement in sleep efficiency and on the Sleep Health Composite score from pre-treatment to 6FU. TranS-C + UC was also associated with reduced total wake time and wake time variability from pre-treatment to post-treatment, as well as reduced hallucinations and delusions, bedtime variability, and actigraphy measured waking activity count variability from pre-treatment to 6FU. CONCLUSIONS:A novel transdiagnostic treatment, delivered within a CMHC setting, improves selected measures of functioning, symptoms of comorbid disorders, and sleep and circadian outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).