Delivering a sleep intervention across a youth mental health service using non-expert practitioners: A service evaluation

Rollinson, Rebecca, Cole, Amber, Gee, Brioney, Tofan, Ioana, Graham, Adam, Hatton, Jude, Lyons, Jonathan, Reeve, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9374-0950, Wilson, Jonathan, Beardsworth, Kevin and Clarke, Tim (2024) Delivering a sleep intervention across a youth mental health service using non-expert practitioners: A service evaluation. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 18 (11). pp. 950-959. ISSN 1751-7885

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Abstract

Aims: Poor sleep is highly prevalent in young people and increases risk of mental health difficulties, yet access to sleep interventions remains limited. This paper evaluates the use of a sleep intervention delivered by non-expert practitioners in a secondary care youth mental health service. Method: Assistant psychologists were trained to deliver a six-session 1:1 cognitive-behavioural sleep intervention adapted for use with young people with mental health difficulties. A within-subject design assessed clinical outcomes relating to sleep (Insomnia Severity Index), psychological distress and personal goals (Goal Based Outcome Measures) at four time points. Results: High referral, intervention take-up (82.82%) and completion (70%) rates were reported, together with high baseline levels of insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index mean 20.47, SD 3.68) and poor sleep efficiency (56.36%, SD 17.23). Fifty-six young people (average age 19.2 years, SD 3.25) were included in the outcome analysis. Statistically and clinically significant improvements were seen across all outcome measures, with 68% no longer meeting clinical threshold (ISI ≥15) for insomnia at endpoint. Conclusions: This study demonstrates exceptionally high levels of clinical need and engagement with a sleep intervention adapted specifically for young people with mental health difficulties. Whilst limited by the uncontrolled design, large improvements in insomnia and psychological distress support its effectiveness and utility in clinical settings. More robust implementation and evaluation is warranted in broader youth mental health services to promote earlier access.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Data availability statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.
Uncontrolled Keywords: adolescents,cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt),insomnia,sleep,treatment,youth mental health,phychiatric mental health,psychiatry and mental health,biological psychiatry,sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2900/2921
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 13 Aug 2024 13:30
Last Modified: 13 Nov 2024 00:52
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/96229
DOI: 10.1111/eip.13534

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