# Multicomponent Behavioral Sleep Intervention for Insomnia in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2020 · $153,846

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
It is estimated that 7% to 20% of older adults have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 60% of people with MCI have
some sleep disturbances. Insomnia is the most common sleep disturbance in older adults and is characterized by difficulty
initiating or maintaining sleep, awakening too early, and next day consequences such as difficulty concentrating. The
proposed project seeks to address a major gap in the literature and clinical practice, lack of effective nonpharmacological
treatments for insomnia in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. We propose conducting a randomized pilot study
testing a brief (4 week), tablet-based, personalized, multicomponent behavioral sleep intervention for insomnia (MBSI-I)
that will target known etiological risk factors and perpetuators of insomnia among older adults with mild cognitive
impairment, compared to a sleep education control. Key components of the intervention include stimulating meaningful
activity during the day and promoting relaxation therapy at night. We will determine preliminary immediate (one month)
and sustained efficacy (3 months) of MBSI-I compared to sleep education on sleep related outcomes and health related
quality of life. Additionally, we will explore mechanisms by which MBSI-I affects sleep and health related quality of life
using standardized questionnaires and inflammatory biomarkers. Real-time monitoring of intervention adherence, using
mobile device technology with real time data transmission, represents a fundamental change in the insomnia treatment
paradigm and will be most beneficial given that this group has memory impairments. Upon completion, this proposal will
provide foundational knowledge for large scale intervention trials and address limitations in current insomnia treatments
in patients with mild cognitive impairment. This research closely aligns with the strategic mission of the National Institute
of Nursing Research because it proposes strategies to personalize care and use real time health information to improve
symptoms of insomnia in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and to build evidence toward successful symptom
management in this vulnerable population. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary training plan and goals developed for this
proposal will fill a critical void in my current skillset and provide me the expertise necessary to initiate a successful and
independent program of research related to improve sleep and health-related quality of life in at-risk older adults. By
expanding my knowledge of 1) mobile device technology, 2) measurement of cognitive health related outcomes, 3)
clinical trials of behavioral interventions and translational research, 4) biomarker assessment, and 5) scientific writing,
oral presentations, manuscript development and peer review, I will be able to conduct research to evaluate more effective
nonpharmacological treatments for sleep problems in older adults. To facilitate the achievement of my career
deve...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9923768
- **Project number:** 5K23NR018487-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Miranda Varrasse McPhillips
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $153,846
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9923768

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9923768, Multicomponent Behavioral Sleep Intervention for Insomnia in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (5K23NR018487-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9923768. Licensed CC0.

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