Study announced for digital therapeutic that improves sleep in stroke patients

Digital therapeutics company Big Health has announced a partnership with the University of Oxford for a new study evaluating Sleepio, an online program designed to improve sleep and mental health for stroke patients.

Preliminary data suggest more than 48% of patients who used the digital therapeutic experienced clinical improvements in sleep throughout post-stroke rehabilitation, as well as a decrease in depression and anxiety after 8 weeks.

Sleep disruption is common among stroke patients, and according to a 2019 study, nearly half of stroke survivors experience insomnia.

“We are proud to collaborate with Big Health on this innovative study, which shows Sleepio, an online cognitive behavioral therapy program, is effective at improving sleep condition and mood in chronic stroke survivors,” Melanie K. Fleming, PhD, a postdoctoral research fellow in neurosciences at the University of Oxford, said in a released statement.

Sleepio is a digital sleep-improvement program that automates evidence-based, non-drug therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, allowing patients to access treatment for insomnia without the need for a physician.

“Cognitive behavioral therapy is a recommended treatment for sleep problems and, based on preliminary outcomes, should be considered as part of the multidisciplinary care pathway after stroke,” Fleming, who also is lead author of the study, said. “This study indicates the ability for digital therapeutics to effectively expand access to cognitive behavioral therapy and improve health outcomes for people with comorbid health conditions.”

An analysis of secondary measures and follow-up assessments will be conducted and published for full clinical publication.

References:

Khot SP, et al. Stroke. 2019;doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023553.