# Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

> **NIH VA I01** · VETERANS AFFAIRS MED CTR SAN FRANCISCO · 2024 · —

## Abstract

We propose a randomized, controlled trial of a video- and telephone-based, brief insomnia treatment in
Veterans who meet criteria for Insomnia Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to accomplish the
goal of improving psychosocial functioning. The primary outcome for the trial will be psychosocial functioning,
with insomnia severity serving as the secondary outcome. Additional goals include assessing durability of
treatment gains and evaluating whether suicidal ideation decreases after insomnia treatment.
 Eighty Veterans with Insomnia Disorder and PTSD will be randomly assigned to either Brief Behavioral
Treatment for Insomnia (BBTI; one 60-minute and one 30-minute video encounter, and two 20-minute phone-
based encounters) or a Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training control group (manualized relaxation training
delivered by two video and two phone sessions, matched to the BBTI condition for therapist time). Prior to
randomization, participants will complete clinician-administered, mental health diagnostic interviews at baseline
(and post-treatment). Self-report measures of psychosocial functioning, insomnia severity, and other mental
health symptoms will be completed at baseline (pre-treatment), mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6-month
follow-up (BBTI treatment group only). Sleep parameters will be completed with a self-report sleep diary. One
week of sleep parameters data will be collected at baseline and continuously to the post-treatment
appointment (and at 6-month follow-up for the BBTI treatment group only).
 We also will explore whether participation in BBTI helps to decrease suicidal ideation, which often
occurs in Veterans with PTSD and insomnia. Information on suicidal ideation will be collected through the
Depressive Symptom Index: Suicidality Subscale (DSI-SS) and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
(C-SSRS), the latter which is used clinically in the VA to assess suicide risk. We will allow Veterans with
current suicidal ideation into the study but will exclude Veterans with current suicidal intent or a plan. Veterans
who have suicidal ideation, but no intent or plan will be assessed at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-
treatment and will be clinically monitored if any risk issues should emerge during treatment. This trial will
provide useful information regarding rehabilitative outcomes, and it will yield specific information that will allow
us to better understand whether a brief behavioral insomnia treatment can assist with suicidal ideation, a highly
concerning issue among Veterans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10814221
- **Project number:** 5I01RX004243-02
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS AFFAIRS MED CTR SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Shira Maguen
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2027-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10814221

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10814221, Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (5I01RX004243-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10814221. Licensed CC0.

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