Restoring effective sleep tranquility (REST): A feasibility and pilot study

Aaron M Eakman; Arlene A Schmid; Kimberly L Henry; Natalie R Rolle; Catherine Schelly; Christine E Pott; Joshua E Burns

doi:10.1177/0308022617691538

Restoring effective sleep tranquility (REST): A feasibility and pilot study

Br J Occup Ther. 2017 Jun;80(6):350-360. doi: 10.1177/0308022617691538. Epub 2017 Apr 5.

Authors

Aaron M Eakman¹, Arlene A Schmid², Kimberly L Henry³, Natalie R Rolle⁴, Catherine Schelly⁵, Christine E Pott⁶, Joshua E Burns⁷

Affiliations

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
² Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
³ Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Natural Sciences, Colorado State University & The Colorado School of Public Health, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
⁴ Occupational Therapist and Student Veteran Coordinator, Center for Community Partnerships, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
⁵ Assistant Professor and Director, Center for Community Partnerships, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
⁶ Graduate Student, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
⁷ Student Veteran Coordinator, Center for Community Partnerships, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this pilot study was to establish the feasibility of completing a future controlled trial of a multi-component cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia program for military veterans with sleep disturbance.

Method: This was a single-arm feasibility and pilot study. Participants were United States post-9/11 veterans with service-connected injuries, university students, and had self-reported sleep disturbances. Restoring Effective Sleep Tranquility was a multi-component cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia intervention consisting of seven sessions of group therapy and eight 1:1 sessions delivered by occupational therapists. Feasibility and pilot indicators were process, resources, management, and scientific, including pre-post-assessments of sleep difficulties, dysfunctional sleep beliefs, participation, and pain interference.

Findings: Indicators were supportive of feasibility, including reduced sleep difficulties (for example Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Measure [t = 3.29, p = .02]), reduced nightmares: t = 2.79, p = .03; fewer dysfunctional sleep beliefs: t = 3.63, p = .01, and greater ability to participate in social roles: t = -2.86, p = .03, along with trends towards improved satisfaction with participation and reduced pain interference.

Conclusion: The Restoring Effective Sleep Tranquility program may reduce sleep difficulties and improve participation in US veterans with service-connected injuries, and evidence indicates a controlled trial would be feasible to deliver.

Keywords: Sleep; cognitive behavioral therapy; group; meditation; occupational therapy; self-management; veteran.