title: Log in and breathe out: internet-based recovery training for sleepless employees with work-related strain - results of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the efficacy of a guided internet-based recovery training for employees who suffer from both work-related strain and sleep problems (GET.ON Recovery). The recovery training consisted of six lessons, employing well-established methods from cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) such as sleep restriction, stimulus control, and hygiene interventions as well as techniques targeted at reducing rumination and promoting recreational activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a two-arm RCT (N=128), the effects of GET.ON Recovery were compared to a waitlist-control condition (WLC) on the basis of intention-to-treat analyses. German teachers with clinical insomnia complaints (Insomnia Severity Index ≥15) and work-related rumination (Irritation Scale, cognitive irritation subscale ≥15) were included. The primary outcome measure was insomnia severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that, compared to the WLC, insomnia severity of the intervention group decreased significantly stronger (F=74.11, P<0.001) with a d=1.45 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06-1.84] The number needed to treat (NNT) was <2 for reliable change and NNT <4 for reduction in expert-rated diagnosis of primary insomnia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The training significantly reduces sleep problems and fosters mental detachment from work and recreational behavior among adult stressed employees at post-test and 6-months follow up. Given the low threshold access this training could reach out to a large group of stressed employees when results are replicated in other studies.
authors.affiliation: Innovation Incubator, Division of Health Training Online, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Rotenbleicher Weg 67, 21335 Lueneburg, Germany. thiart@inkubator.leuphana.de.
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thiart
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lehr
authors.forename: David Daniel
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berking
authors.forename: Heleen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riper
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*