# SUPPLEMENT- Using design thinking approaches to tailor a dyadic behavioral sleep intervention for persons living with dementia and their caregivers

> **NIH NIH K23** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $53,999

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Sleep disturbance is prevalent in persons living with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease
and related dementias (PLwCI) as well as their caregivers. This prevalence suggests that sleep disturbance is
an interdependent process that synergistically affects both members of the caregiving dyad. Sleep disturbance
is associated with poorer health outcomes, including higher depressive symptoms and lower quality of life.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is effective for improving sleep disturbance in many
populations, and support from a partner during CBTi results in more successful outcomes. The interdependence
of PLwCI-caregiver sleep disturbance suggests the need for a dyadic intervention. However, there are no
structured fully dyadic interventions focused on managing sleep disturbance in PLwCI and their caregivers;
moreover, no dyadic interventions have been developed with input from these stakeholders. Aligned with the
National Institute of Aging’s Behavioral and Social Science and Neuroscience high-priority dementia caregiver
research agenda, the proposed K23 Patient-Oriented Mentored Career Development Award seeks to use design
thinking, human-centered approaches within the CBTi framework to tailor a dyadic intervention for PLwCI and
their caregivers. Twenty PLwCI-caregiver dyads and 10 healthcare providers will be interviewed during the
tailoring phase. We will then conduct a waitlist randomized control trial (N = 40 dyads) to test the acceptability,
feasibility, and preliminary immediate and sustained efficacy (3 months) of the dyadic intervention. The
completion of this mentored research project will enable me to acquire foundational knowledge for conducting
large-scale intervention trials and fulfill the need for effective dyadic interventions to treat sleep disturbance in
PLwCI and caregiver dyads. The interdisciplinary training plan and goals developed for this K23 award will fill a
critical gap in my current skill set. Building on my training as a clinician with expertise in sleep and dementia
caregiving, I will develop proficiency in 1) design thinking approaches, 2) dyadic theories, concepts, and analytic
methods, 3) identification and diagnosis of dementia-related disorders, including a focus on how these disorders
relate to sleep disturbance, and 4) scientific writing, oral presentations, manuscript development, and peer
review. I have assembled an excellent team of mentors (Drs. Hepburn, Barton, Lyons and Lah) and a collaborator
(Dr. Gehrman). The K23 award will provide me with the necessary foundation to build a successful and
independent program of research related to sleep, dementia, and caregiving.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10535237
- **Project number:** 3K23AG070378-01A1S1
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Glenna Shemida Brewster
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $53,999
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10535237

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10535237, SUPPLEMENT- Using design thinking approaches to tailor a dyadic behavioral sleep intervention for persons living with dementia and their caregivers (3K23AG070378-01A1S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10535237. Licensed CC0.

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