0640 Depression Symptom Outcomes After a Self-Guided Mobile Application CBT-I Intervention Among College Students

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Previous research has shown that approximately 78% of college students who suffer from insomnia also endorsed depressive symptoms. Students with depression were 9.5 times more likely to have insomnia than students who did not have depression. There has also been evidence that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) can reduce depression symptoms. However, the effectiveness of a self-guided mobile version of CBT-I (iCBT-I) in reducing depression among college students has yet to be evaluated. This study aims to assess depression symptoms among students who engaged in a self-guided iCBT-I intervention. Methods The study uses a between- and within-subjects design to assess biweekly changes in depression symptom severity before and after completing a four-week mobile intervention for insomnia (i.e., CBT-I Coach). Participants included 39 University of Arkansas college students with a baseline insomnia severity index score ≥ 15. Participants were randomized into the intervention group or a wait-list control group. Participants in both groups are asked to use the CBT-I Coach app for 4 weeks (control group began intervention after a four-week delay). Every four weeks, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale was administered to assess depressive symptomology. Results Preliminary analyses showed a reduction in CES-D mean scores between baseline (M = 28.3) and week four (M = 25.4) of the intervention group. The intervention group also experienced a depression score rebound at week eight (M = 28.9). The wait-list control group experienced little change in mean CES-D scores from pre-to-post intervention, baseline (M = 23.4), week four (M = 24.2), week eight (M = 23.7). Conclusion These results may lend evidence for the short-term effectiveness of iCBT-I in reducing depression symptoms. This could allow for wider dissemination of this treatment modality across a population who suffer from comorbid insomnia and depression. Support (if any) K23 HL141581