Evaluating a mobile application based intervention for insomnia in college students: a preliminary study

Objective: This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a self-guided, mobile application for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I Coach) in a sample of college students. Participants: Data was collected from 55 students, who mostly identified as women (82%) and white (84%) and reported at least moderate insomnia symptoms based on the Insomnia Severity Index. Methods: Participants were randomized to either an intervention condition (i.e., 4 wk of CBT-I Coach) or a wait-list condition and completed self-report measures biweekly across the 8-week study period. Results: Nearly 70% of participants found the app moderately to extremely effective. The intervention group experienced a larger reduction in insomnia symptoms from baseline to post-treatment compared to the control group (g = 0.88). Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence that utilizing a self-guided mobile intervention for insomnia among college students is feasible and components of the app were perceived to be moderately to highly effective.