Learn more about Mizzou Sleep Research Lab’s projects below.

COVID-19 Announcement: Due to COVID-19, a number of precautions are in place to protect the health and safety for all individuals involved in research at MU. Our research studies involve minimal in-person contact. All in-person activities on the MU campus must follow Show Me Renewal Guidelines.

Current Adult-Focused Research - Actively Recruiting

Sleep and Pain Interventions in Women with Fibromyalgia (SPIN-II)

Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier): NCT03744156
Funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (R01NR017168, PI Christina McCrae)

Insomnia affects 67-88% of chronic pain patients. SPIN II is a randomized controlled clinical trial that will compare the effects of two cognitive behavioral sleep treatments in women with fibromyalgia and insomnia. This trial will yield important information about the roles of sleep, arousal, and brain structure and function in the development and maintenance of chronic pain in women with fibromyalgia.

We are currently recruiting women with fibromyalgia and insomnia. Participants will undergo eight treatment sessions with a sleep therapist who will work with them on an individual basis. All study visits will take place at the Mizzou Sleep Research Lab. Parking and study compensation will be provided.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Female aged 18+
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Frequent aches and pains

Contact for more information

spin@missouri.edu
573-884-7428

Sleep and Pain Interventions in Men with Chronic Widespread Pain (SPIN-CWP)

Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier): NCT02688569
Funded by the University of Missouri (PI Christina McCrae)

SPIN-CWP is a clinical trial that examines the effects of a cognitive behavioral sleep treatment for males who experience chronic widespread pain (CWP) and insomnia and the link between chronic pain and sleep disturbances. The results of the present study will provide unique insights into sleep and CWP and will advance knowledge in the fields of both sleep and pain. Although the results of this study will be specific to CWP patients, they will have broader implications for other medical populations likely to suffer from chronic pain and insomnia (i.e., cancer patients, older adults).

Participants will receive four treatment sessions with a sleep therapist. All study visits will take place at the Mizzou Sleep Research Lab with parking and compensation provided.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Male aged 18+
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Frequent widespread aches and pains

Contact for more information

spin@missouri.edu
573-884-7428

Web-based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia in Dementia Caregivers (NiteCAPP)

Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier): NCT04632628
Funded by the University of Missouri (PI Christina McCrae)

NiteCAPP is a clinical trial that examines the effectiveness of an online cognitive behavioral sleep treatment tailored for rural dementia caregivers and their care recipients. Given rural caregivers’ limited schedule and access to healthcare, web-based sleep interventions allow for flexible at-home scheduling and treatment. This project will give us a better understanding of the roles of sleep and cognitive function in dementia and caregiver populations. The results of this study will provide insight into the development and maintain of insomnia in rural dementia caregivers. This study will also yield broader implications about other caregiver populations who suffer from chronic insomnia.

Caregivers and care recipients will receive four online treatment sessions with a sleep therapist who will work with them on an individual basis. Compensation will be provided for participation in this study.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 18+ years of age
  • Provide at-home care for persons with dementia
  • Difficulty sleeping

For more information

thenitecapp@health.missouri.edu
573-884-7428

Sleep Intervention for Chronic Insomnia Using Virtual Reality Pilot Study (iVR)

Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier): NCT04253691
Funded by the University of Missouri & Healium (PI Christina McCrae)

iVR is a pilot clinical trial that examines virtual reality as an insomnia treatment. This study will give us a better understanding of how behavioral techniques (like relaxation) affects sleep, mood, and cognitive function in adults with insomnia.

Participants will undergo four weeks of relaxation techniques via Healium Oculus Go headsets (virtual reality). Compensation will be provided for participation in this study.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 18+ years of age
  • Difficulty sleeping

Contact for more information

spin@missouri.edu
573-884-7428

Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color Sleep Perceptions and Access to Care (BIPOC SPACE)

Funded by the University of Missouri, Department of Psychiatry Research Scholars Fund (PI Jasmine Berry)

BIPOC SPACE is an online focus group study to learn more about individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and Person of Color’s (BIPOC) sleep perceptions, beliefs about sleep, current barriers to treatment, sleep experiences, and suggestions for improving accessibility to and acceptability of sleep treatment. This study will help us create a safe, inclusive space for BIPOC individuals in sleep-related behavioral treatments.

This study involves filling out a 10-minute questionnaire, then participating in a 1-hour focus group via the Zoom platform where you give your opinions about sleep treatment. Compensation will be provided for participation in this study.

Contact for more information

Jasmine Berry, jbtqf@mail.Missouri.edu

Completed Adult-Focused Research

Sleep and Pain Interventions in Fibromyalgia (SPIN)

Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02001077)
Funded by the National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01AR055160 & R01AR055160-S1, PI Christina McCrae)

This randomized controlled clinical trial examined the effects of non-drug Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments for insomnia (CBT-I) and for pain (CBT-P) in fibromyalgia patients. We enrolled 113 adults with fibromyalgia and chronic insomnia. Participants were randomly assigned to CBT-I, CBT-P, or waitlist control. Each of the treatments involved 8 weekly sessions. Those randomized to the waitlist were offered a combined (both CBT-I and CBT-P) treatment at the end of the study.

Both Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia (CBT-I) and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Pain (CBT-P) are evidence-based treatments. That means research has shown that they can help people improve their sleep and pain. The mission of the SPIN study was to understand the scientific basis of how these therapies work on pain and sleep problems.

Research Evaluating Sleep and Thinking in Older Adults with Insomnia (REST)

Funded by the National Institute on Aging (AG024459-01, PI Christina McCrae)

Insomnia affects up to 35% of individuals aged 65 and older. Although older adults with insomnia (OAWI) frequently complain of impaired cognitive functioning, objective evidence of such impairment has been sparse. Correlational studies have found evidence of deficits in cognitive performance in OAWI. Unfortunately, because the typical correlational design utilizes ‘one shot’ assessments, such studies provide only a ‘snapshot’ of the sleep/cognition relationship. This approach could be improved as both sleep and cognitive performance may exhibit considerable day-to-day variability, particularly in older adults. Using repeated daily assessments, these fluctuations in sleep and cognition (intraindividual variability or IIV) can be captured and modeled. SPIN participants completed daily sleep dairies and brief daily cognitive diaries throughout the course of a brief (four-session) behavioral treatment program for insomnia. We believe studying OAWI intensively over the course of treatment will provide insights into the day-to-day fluctuations in sleep and cognition within individuals (i.e., IIV) and will permit a detailed examination of the extent to which IIV in cognitive performance is related to fluctuations in sleep.

Active Adult Mentoring Program (AAMP)

Funded by the University of Florida Aging Network Research Enhancement Fund (PI, Christina McCrae)

*Note funding was obtained on behalf of the entire AAMP team. Peter Giacobbi, PhD, Michael Marsiske, PhD., Beverly Roberts, PhD, Matthew Buman, M., Adrienne Aiken Morgan, MS, and Joseph Dzierzewski, MS, and all collaborators participated equally in the development of the funding application.

This trial tested a 16-week multi-component exercise promotion intervention for older adults.

Research Evaluation Brief Behavioral Sleep Treatments for Rural Elderly (RESTore)

Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Office of Rural Health Policy/Missouri (DO4RHOO242, PI Christina McCrae)

This study examined the effectiveness of a four-week brief behavioral intervention for insomnia in older adults with insomnia living in an 11-county area of northeast Missouri. This study was a collaborative effort with ElderLynk, a federal/state sponsored Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) program, providing mental health services to the elderly in northeast Missouri.