# Using Cognitive-Behavioral Change and Mobile Technology to Improve RN Sleep and Fatigue

> **NIH ALLCDC K01** · UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI · 2024 · $107,941

## Abstract

Project Summary
The U.S. registered nurse (RN) workforce is one of the largest in the Healthcare and Social Assistance Sector,
and at high risk for injuries and errors due to poor sleep and fatigue. Shift work (i.e., nights, evenings, rotating
shifts) can contribute to RNs not obtaining adequate, restful sleep. Work intensity, including heavy physical and
emotional workloads of caring for critically ill patients, can contribute to job stress, resulting in spill-over effects
at home when RNs experience difficulties falling and staying asleep. To address work and home sleep barri-
ers, this project proposes the development and pilot testing of RN-SLEEP, skill-building mobile application
designed to improve sleep. RN-SLEEP will provide a convenient, flexible space for RNs to learn evidence-
based shift work specific strategies, and cognitive-behavioral methods, (e.g., goalsetting, relaxation training) to
enhance sleep. Using NIOSH’s Research 2 Practice (R2P) approach, the study team will collaborate with par-
ticipants (N=18-24) from an RN union to refine RN-SLEEP content, integrating current sleep literature (includ-
ing National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] material) with cognitive-behavioral based
training. RN-SLEEP will be pilot-tested using a two-group pretest-posttest study design, comparing sleep out-
come measures (duration, quality) of RN-SLEEP participant users’ (n=35) with participants from an education
control group (n=35). Data trends on behavior change (beliefs and self-efficacy) and other sleep outcome
measures (timing, regularity, efficiency, daytime sleepiness) will be explored. RN-SLEEP goals align with
Healthy People 2030, NIOSH strategic goal to promote safe and healthy work design and well-being,
through two NIOSH Healthcare and Social Assistance Sector/Healthy Work Design Cross-Sector
(HCSA/HWD) intermediate goals. HWD goal 7.2A is to conduct intervention research addressing fatigue
(poor sleep sequala) due to suboptimal work designs (shift work) in the healthcare industry. HCSA/HWD goal
7.12A prioritizes interventions designed to impact work and non-work contributors to safety and health. This
RN-SLEEP intervention aims to improve sleep through building skills that help RNs overcome obstacles to
sleep from work and home, thus improving health and safety. Immediate outputs include a mobile app, de-
signed and tested in collaboration with RNs, to improve sleep. Study results will be disseminated through our
union collaborators, nursing conferences and journal publications, and our University’s NIOSH sponsored Edu-
cation and Research Center social media outlets. Intermediate outcomes include enhancing RN sleep
through training rarely available in nursing school and traditional health and safety training programs. Improv-
ing sleep can reduce fatigue and may decrease occupational injuries and errors. RN-SLEEP is adaptable,
where future versions could be modified to meet the needs of other HCSA workers (i.e...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10903704
- **Project number:** 5K01OH012549-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
- **Principal Investigator:** Beverly M Hittle
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $107,941
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10903704

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10903704, Using Cognitive-Behavioral Change and Mobile Technology to Improve RN Sleep and Fatigue (5K01OH012549-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10903704. Licensed CC0.

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