Music for sleep after stroke (MUSAS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mindful music-listening as a tool to improve sleep post-stroke: A single case experimental design study
IRAS ID
312921
Contact name
Jonathan Evans
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
Sleep difficulties are common post-stroke with approximately one in three meeting the diagnostic criteria for insomnia. Insomnia is characterised by a difficulty in initiating/maintaining sleep, and/or early-morning awakening on at least three nights per week for at least 3 months with impact on daytime functioning. Despite sleep difficulties being common post-stroke, non-medication interventions improving sleep are lacking. A small number of studies have investigated music listening as a way to improve sleep in the general population suggesting that music listening may have a positive impact on sleep. Similarly, evidence suggests that mindfulness-based interventions (non-judgmental awareness of the present) may improve sleep quality. We propose that combining elements of mindfulness with music listening may aid relaxation and enhance focus on the present, away from thoughts and worries.
This study will assess whether mindful music-listening intervention can reduce insomnia symptoms and improve mood and fatigue post-stroke.
Six adults with insomnia who have had a stroke at least three months ago will be recruited from stroke services within Greater Glasgow and Clyde. They will be randomly allocated to continue with their normal sleep routine (baseline phase) for 7, 11 or 15 days. This will be followed by a five-week mindful music-listening intervention incorporating sleep hygiene (intervention phase). Changes in sleep, mood and fatigue will be measured using questionnaires. An actiwatch measuring times awake and asleep (sleep-wake cycle) will also worn for the duration of the study. The questionnaire will be administered on starting the study, end of intervention and three weeks after the end of intervention. The data will be analysed through visual inspection and statistical methods to determine whether any changes observed are likely to be due to the intervention.
If the mindful music-listening intervention is shown to reduce insomnia symptoms, this would offer a low-cost non-pharmacological intervention for addressing sleep difficulties post-stoke.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0033
Date of REC Opinion
15 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion