MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (Aug. 17, 2007) — The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center at Hennepin County Medical Center are seeking healthy adults who suffer from insomnia to participate in a study that will compare mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) and prescription medication treatments.
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the MBSR or pharmacotherapy groups. Participants selected for MBSR will engage in an eight-week program where they will learn mindfulness meditation and simple yoga exercises such as stretching. Group meditation classes will meet with an instructor once per week for 2.5 hours. Participants are also asked to practice techniques at home, guided by recordings and assignments.
Participants selected for the pharmacotherapy group will be prescribed Lunesta® or a similar prescription sleep medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Association. Participants will be asked to take their medication nightly and will receive weekly phone calls from a study nurse coordinator to monitor their progress.
All participants will complete surveys throughout the five-month study, wear an Actiwatch sleep monitor (similar to a wristwatch), and fill out a sleep diary for two weeks to measure changes in sleep patterns.
Adults between the ages of 18 and 65 who have experienced difficulty falling or staying asleep for at least the last six months may be eligible for the study. Participants must be able to speak and read English, be willing to discontinue all other sleep aids during the study, be able to attend weekly classes in the Twin Cities/Metro area, and be willing to be randomly assigned to either treatment option. People who work nights or swing-shifts as well as women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not eligible for the study.
To enroll in the study or to receive more information, please contact Val Russas, R.N., study coordinator, at 612-624-6115 or at russa001@umn.edu. Enrollment ends Sept. 18th.
The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota’s six health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes. Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC prepares the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures, and strengthen the health economy.
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