| NCT ID | NCT07181577 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Aarhus University Hospital |
| Condition | Sleep Problems |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 672 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-10-15 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-12-15 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.
What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 672 participants in total. It began in 2025-10-15 with a primary completion date of 2026-12-15.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Purpose The primary aim of this research project is to evaluate whether a special blanket is an effective intervention for improving sleep among young people aged 16-24 with sleep disturbances. Sleep problems are increasingly common among Danish youth, with approximately one in five reporting significant sleep difficulties in the past 14 days. This trend has been rising steadily since 2010 and is mirrored internationally. Sleep disturbances are linked to a wide range of physical and mental health problems, including stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as negative effects on academic performance and social relationships. Early intervention is crucial to prevent chronic insomnia and poor mental health outcomes in adulthood. Current treatments include specialized psychological therapies and medication. However, psychological therapies require extensive time and commitment, and medication carries risks of side effects, tolerance, and dependency, making non-pharmacological, safe, and accessible alternatives necessary. The special blanket is believed to promote relaxation through stimulation of the tactile and proprioceptive systems. Although promising in clinical and pedagogical contexts for certain populations (e.g., children with developmental disorders and adults with neurological conditions), there is limited scientific evidence regarding its efficacy and underlying mechanisms, particularly among youth with sleep disturbances. Methods and Study Design This project is a Phase 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the effect of 4 weeks of using a special blanket on sleep problems among young people aged 16-24, as well as the impact on participants' mental and physical health. Additionally, the study investigates possible stress-related mechanisms involved in the use of the special blanket. Following the 4-week intervention, an open-label extension phase of 8 weeks (Phase 2) will explore continued use and acceptability of the blanket. Eligible participants, screened for sleep problems, will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group 1: receives a special blanket (Blanket A) for home use over 4 weeks. Group 2: receives another special blanket (Blanket B) for 4 weeks. Group 3 (observation group): no blanket provided but followed for 4 weeks to monitor changes in sleep problems. The 4-week intervention phase (Phase 1) includes baseline (T1, week 0), mid-intervention (T2, week 2), and post-intervention (T3, week 4) online assessments. Sleep disturbances, physical and mental health, and stress-related mechanisms will be measured using validated questionnaires administered through REDCap. The first 40 participants in Groups 1 and 2 will additionally provide saliva samples and wear a circadian rhythm monitor (activity watch). In Phase 2, participants in Groups 1 and 2 may continue using the blanket or revert to their usual bedding. At the end of Phase 2 (T4, week 12), follow-up questionnaires will assess sleep and user experience, including satisfaction, perceived benefits, barriers, and drawbacks of the blanket. Group 3 will then be offered a special blanket for an 8-week trial. Participants The investigators aim to recruit 672 young people aged 16-24 with sleep problems. Inclusion criteria are age 16-24 years and sleep problems measured by Insomnia Severity Index (score \>10). Exclusion criteria are any underlying somatic, psychological, or neurological condition significantly affecting sleep quality; use of medications affecting sleep; pregnancy; shift work or night work; previous use of special blankets for sleep improvement and insufficient Danish language skills (questionnaires in Danish). Significance and Relevance The investigators anticipate that the findings will contribute to the current understanding of the non-pharmacological management of sleep problems, related mental and physical health outcomes, and underlying stress-related mechanisms of special blanket interventions. The results will be relevant to health professionals working with sleep problems, but also to adolescents and younger adults with sleep problems and their parents. New clinical guidelines on sleep problems in children and adolescents recommend non-pharmacological treatments as the first choice, specifically mentioning the potential efficacy of special blankets. The proposed project will help inform further development of such guidelines and related clinical practice. If special blankets are found to be effective in reducing insomnia, they could serve as an inexpensive, easily disseminated, and administered treatment with no known side effects, with the potential to greatly reduce the personal, as well as societal costs of insomnia.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be between 16 and 24 years old * Participants must have a score on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) above 10. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of neurological disorders known to influence or be related to poor sleep including affective disorders and diagnosed medical sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, narcolepsy) * Circulatory or respiratory disease * Pregnancy, shift or night work * Prior use of special blanket (within the past five years) * Insufficient Danish proficiency.
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07181577 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 16 Years or older, up to 24 Years, studying Sleep Problems. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07181577 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07181577 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at ali@psy.au.dk for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07181577 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Aarhus, Denmark.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07181577 clinical trial?
NCT07181577 is sponsored by Aarhus University Hospital. The trial plans to enroll 672 participants.