Cardiac disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Because the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) significantly reduces cardiac mortality, approximately 200,000 ICDs are implanted each year. Sleep disturbance represents a significant comorbidity for ~57 percent of ICD patients, potentially contributing to a variety of negative consequences (decreased quality of life, accidents) in this already vulnerable patient population. Unfortunately, information regarding the specific types of sleep disturbance experienced is not available. Such information is important, because different sleep disorders require very different treatment approaches.
Specific Aim 1 addresses this issue by using a [3 stage] process to differentially diagnose sleep disorders in ICD patients: 1-clinical interview;2-polysomnography;3-sleep diaries. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia are likely to be the two most common sleep disorders in ICD patients. Effective treatment exists for OSA. However, the best treatment approach for insomnia in these patients is unclear. Sleep medications provide effective short-term relief, but may not the best approach for chronic insomnia in ICD patients. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) represents an attractive treatment alternative, because it is effective, carries little risk of unwanted effects, and is preferred to sleep medication by the majority of patients. Unfortunately, no definitive conclusions can be drawn about CBTi's effectiveness in ICD patients, because these patients are typically excluded from behavioral intervention protocols.
Specific Aims 2 and 3 involve a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate the effects on sleep (Aim 2) and other daytime outcomes (Aim 3) of a brief cognitive-behavioral intervention against a waitlist control in ICD patients with insomnia. A brief, multiple-component CBTi protocol will be developed that includes established behavioral approaches to treating insomnia plus several novel components to target the negative cognitions and anxieties associated with cardiac disease and ICD implantation. ICD patients with insomnia will be randomly assigned to either treatment or a waitlist control. Treatment will be individually administered during 2 `in-person'sessions &2 `telephone'sessions. Sleep and other outcomes (psychological functioning, daytime functioning, [quality of life, cardiac functioning (arrhythmic burden)], and ICD adjustment will be evaluated at baseline, post treatment, &3 month follow-up. Sleep disturbance in the context of cardiac disease and ICD implantation represents a major health threat for many Americans. This research addresses the public health need for information on the types of sleep disorders experienced by ICD patients and for the development of behavioral interventions that target insomnia in this vulnerable population. The information to be gained has broad implications not only for other patient populations likely to suffer from insomnia (i.e., chronic pain), but also for those suffering from other behavioral/heath concerns (i.e., weight management, depression).

Public Health Relevance

Sleep disturbance in the context of cardiac disease and ICD implantation represents a major health threat for many Americans. This research addresses the public health need for information on the types of sleep disorders experienced by ICD patients and for the development of behavioral interventions that target insomnia in this vulnerable population. The information to be gained has broad implications not only for other patient populations likely to suffer from insomnia (i.e., chronic pain), but also for those suffering from other behavioral/heath concerns (i.e., weight management, depression).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
3R21HL087831-01A2S1
Application #
7839764
Study Section
Psychosocial Risk and Disease Prevention Study Section (PRDP)
Program Officer
Twery, Michael
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2011-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$139,721
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Florida
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
969663814
City
Gainesville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32611
McCrae, Christina S; Roth, Alicia J; Ford, Jessica et al. (2016) Sleep, Psychosocial Functioning, and Device-Specific Adjustment in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs). Behav Sleep Med 14:49-66
McCrae, Christina S; Bramoweth, Adam D; Williams, Jacob et al. (2014) Impact of brief cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia on health care utilization and costs. J Clin Sleep Med 10:127-35
Dautovich, Natalie D; Kay, Daniel B; Perlis, Michael L et al. (2012) Day-to-day variability in nap duration predicts medical morbidity in older adults. Health Psychol 31:671-6