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Efficacy of sleep extension therapy using a remote support system in university students with increased social jetlag: a parallel, single-blind, randomized controlled trial

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A Correction to this article was published on 12 July 2023

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Abstract

Purpose

The efficacy of sleep extension therapy using a remote support system (SET-R) was investigated in university students with increased social jetlag (SJL).

Methods

For this two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial, we recruited Japanese university students with SJL ≥ 60 min. The SET-R provided an individualized sleep schedule for gradual sleep extension using email and sleep hygiene education, stimulus control therapy, and progressive muscle relaxation as web content. The control group was sent an email that encouraged them to record their sleep. The duration of the intervention program was two weeks. The primary outcome was the mean change in SJL two weeks later, assessed using the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ). The other outcomes included Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and sleep quiz. A follow-up survey was conducted 6 months after the intervention.

Results

Of 54 students, 26 were assigned to an intervention group and 28 to a control group. The difference in the mean change in SJL between the two groups (n = 26, n = 27) at two weeks was statistically significant (27.7 min, P = 0.048). The scores for the ESS, PHQ-9, and sleep quiz were improved in the intervention group relative to the control group. At the 6-month follow-up point, the difference in the mean change in SJL between the two groups (n = 22, n = 27) was not statistically significant, but scores for the PHQ-9, and sleep quiz remained significant.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the efficacy of the SET-R among university students with increased SJL.

Trial Registration

The study was registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000042634, 2021/02/01).

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Change history

Abbreviations

SJL:

Social jetlag

BMI:

Body mass index

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

SET-R:

Sleep extension therapy using a remote support system

SKUSH:

Student of Kyoto University Sleep Health

MCTQ:

Munich ChronoType Questionnaire

PSQI:

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

ESS:

Epworth Sleepiness Scale

ISI:

Insomnia Severity Index

PHQ-9:

Patient Health Questionnaire-9

PMR:

Progressive muscle relaxation

MSF:

Mid-sleep on free days

MSW:

Midpoint of sleep-in workdays

TIB:

Time in bed

TST:

Total sleep time

SOL:

Sleep onset latency

SD:

Standard deviation

GLM:

Generalized linear models

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the individuals that participated in this study. We would like to thank Douglas Scientific Editing Services for English-language editing.

Funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 20K07967, and 22H03412.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agency for Student Support and Disability Resources, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

    Ryuji Furihata

  2. Department of Preventive Services, Kyoto University School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

    Tomonari Shimamoto, Yuto Makino, Shunsuke Kimata, Yukiko Tateyama & Taku Iwami

  3. Agency for Health, Safety and Environment, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Satoe Okabayashi

  4. Department of Food Science, Otsuma Women’s University, Tokyo, Japan

    Kosuke Kiyohara

Authors
  1. Ryuji Furihata
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  2. Tomonari Shimamoto
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  3. Yuto Makino
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  4. Shunsuke Kimata
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  5. Yukiko Tateyama
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Contributions

All authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript. RF, TS, YM, SK, YT, SO, KK, and TI contributed to the study design, data collection, data interpretation, and preparation of the manuscript. KK independently performed the allocation. RF performed the statistical data analyses.

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Correspondence to Ryuji Furihata.

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Furihata, R., Shimamoto, T., Makino, Y. et al. Efficacy of sleep extension therapy using a remote support system in university students with increased social jetlag: a parallel, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Sleep Biol. Rhythms 21, 359–368 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41105-023-00453-5

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