Open AccessSleepUp, a Digital Therapeutics Platform for Insomnia
Author(s) -
Gabriel Natan Pires,
Ksdy Maiara Moura Sousa,
Thábita Maganete,
Paula Villena Redondo,
Renata Redondo Bonaldi
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.5327/1516-3180.296
Subject(s) - sleep hygiene , insomnia , cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia , psychoeducation , medicine , clinical psychology , cognitive behavioral therapy , psychology , cognition , physical therapy , psychiatry , sleep quality , intervention (counseling)
Background: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is the gold-standard treatment for chronic insomnia. Although effective, CBTi is not easily accessible due to a shortage of specialized professionals and high treatment costs. Online CBTi (CBTi-O) has been proposed as a more accessible and affordable treatment option. CBTi and CBTi-O are equally effective, and some apps have already been approved by regulatory agencies in USA (Somryst™) and UK (Sleepio™). Objetives: SleepUp is a digital therapeutics solution for insomnia, intended to provide evidence-based treatment in an easily accessible format. Methods: The treatment program is based on CBTi-O, composed by seven therapeutic modules (sleep hygiene, relaxation and meditation, psychoeducation, stimulus control, cognitive restructuring, sleep restriction and paradoxical intention). Users are monitored with a sleep log and validated questionnaires assessing insomnia symptoms, sleepiness, sleep quality and sleep hygiene. Additional therapy modules are included, encompassing mindfulness and other meditation techniques. For refractory cases or for those with comorbidities, remote appointments with medical doctors and psychologists specialized in sleep medicine are available. Results: SleepUp is an early-stage startup and its solutions for sleep and insomnia are being constantly developed and improved. The app is already available in Brazil and USA, both for Android™ and IOS™ devices. Preliminary results demonstrate that the treatment is effective, reducing insomnia symptoms in 28%, (n=1700), improving sleep hygiene scores in 32% (n=100) and increasing sleep efficiency in 16% (n=2500). Conclusion: SleepUp aims at providing a more accessible alternative to the treatment of insomnia, based on CBTI-O, an effective and safe therapeutic approach.