# An Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Sleep Disturbance in Multiple Sclerosis

> **NIH NIH K23** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $117,871

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The goal of this K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award is for the PI (Abbey J.
Hughes, PhD) to develop a program of research aimed at providing innovative, effective, and accessible
interventions for treating sleep disturbance in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Sleep disturbance is a
significant health problem affecting an astounding 54 to 67% of people with MS. Sleep disturbance is one of
the primary contributors to fatigue, neuropsychological dysfunction, pain, depression, and diminished quality of
life in MS. Although research supports cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the gold-standard
treatment for sleep disturbance, CBT-I has yet to be adapted and tested in MS. Thus, the objective of this five-
year research project is to develop and evaluate the preliminary effects of an innovative, internet-delivered
cognitive behavioral intervention for sleep disturbance in MS (iSliMS). The specific aims of the proposed
project are to: 1) determine the preliminary effects of iSliMS on sleep efficiency, quantity, and quality; 2)
determine iSliMS treatment satisfaction, adherence, and integrity; and 3) determine the preliminary effects of
iSliMS on fatigue, depression, and neuropsychological dysfunction. This project will feature a randomized
controlled trial (RCT) comparing iSliMS versus treatment as usual (n = 90). To ensure the successful
completion of this project, the PI has developed a training plan of mentored research, didactic training, and
professional activities that will allow her to acquire: 1) expertise in RCTs utilizing patient-oriented outcomes; 2)
expertise in the scientific measurement and cognitive behavioral treatment of sleep disturbance in MS and
other neurorehabilitation populations; 3) foundational knowledge and skills in conducting web and mobile-
based telehealth intervention research; and 4) proficiency in scholarly presentation, manuscript publication,
and grantsmanship. The PI will work collaboratively with a team of leading experts in MS rehabilitation
research, behavioral sleep medicine, intervention technology, and grantsmanship. Led by Drs. Dawn Ehde
(Primary) and Aaron Turner (Co-primary), this team will provide mentored training to support the PI throughout
this award period. Given the overwhelming burden of sleep disturbance in MS, and the limited data on CBT-I in
this population, the proposed research has the potential to advance neurorehabilitation research and promote
more effective clinical practice in MS and other neurorehabilitation populations. Importantly, the training and
research experiences afforded through this K23 proposal will provide an ideal pathway for the PI to: 1) extend
her foundational training in clinical health psychology, neuropsychology, and MS rehabilitation research; 2)
accomplish the proposed study of iSliMS to inform a larger definitive trial; and 3) launch an independent clinical
research career focused on developing, cri...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9961391
- **Project number:** 5K23HD086154-05
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Abbey Jean Hughes
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $117,871
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-13 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9961391

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9961391, An Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Sleep Disturbance in Multiple Sclerosis (5K23HD086154-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9961391. Licensed CC0.

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