Open AccessA pilot study of a brief intervention program (RECHARGE) to reduce sleep-wake and circadian rhythm disturbances in youth being treated for depression
Author(s) -
Ashlee B. Grierson,
Jan Scott,
Joanne S. Carpenter,
Django White,
Sharon L. Naismith,
Elizabeth Scott,
Ian B. Hickie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of neuroscience and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-4870
DOI - 10.31829/2578-4870/ijnr2017-1(1)-102
Subject(s) - actigraphy , circadian rhythm , depression (economics) , psychology , sleep (system call) , medicine , neuroscience , computer science , economics , macroeconomics , operating system
Aim: Sleep-wake and circadian rhythm disturbances are linked to the emergence and persistence of depression in youth. However, few youth-specific interventions have been developed to address this in clinical settings. We aimed to test the efficacy of a novel program targeted at sleep-wake and circadian rhythm problems in youth with depression. Methods: Adolescents and young adults with depression and sleep-wake disturbances were invited to join the 8-week RECHARGE program. Outcomes of interest were pre- to postintervention changes in self-reported sleep-wake patterns and circadian preference, actigraphy recordings of circadian sleep rhythms, and depressive symptoms. Results: 10 individuals completed the RECHARGE program showed modest improvements in self-reported sleep-wake patterns and circadian rhythmicity as measured by actigraphy; however these did not explain a significant portion of the variance in post-intervention depression scores. Conclusions: Modest trends for some sleep-wake and circadian parameters indicate that future investigation of a modified RECHARGE program is merited.