Exploring digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in an early intervention in psychosis service – a study protocol for an initial feasibility study with process evaluation

AimEarly psychosis may be a critical time at which clinical trajectories are still evolving, and sleep interventions hold promise to improve outcomes at this stage. Although cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for insomnia shows promise in psychosis, there has been limited evaluation of delivery within current care. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of providing fully-automated digital CBT for insomnia within an early intervention in psychosis service.Methods/designWe will conduct a single-arm feasibility trial within an early psychosis intervention service, and individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis and with evidence of insomnia can be enrolled. Additional service user inclusion criteria include capacity to consent and access to a suitable technological device to access digital CBT. Participants will be offered access to a fully-automated digital CBT (Sleepio) program delivered using web and/or mobile app. The study comprises pre- and post- intervention questionnaire assessments and interviews with service users and staff to provide initial outcome signals.AnalysesQuantitative questionnaire data will be analysed descriptively, alongside rates of eligibility, consent, uptake and completion. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis. Results will be used to develop a logic model describing feasibility and implementation. Recruitment for this study began in May 2021.ConclusionsFrom this study we hope to better understand how to deliver digital CBT for insomnia within an early intervention in psychosis service. This study will help inform further research, including how best to support staff in using Sleepio, and inform the design of subsequent trials in this area.