CompletedInterventional

Testing a sleep improvement programme for shift workers

This study is developing and testing a new program to help NHS shift workers who have trouble sleeping because of their work. Shift work can upset the body's natural clock, leading to difficulties falling or staying asleep, or feeling very tired – this is known as shift work sleep disorder. The program will offer one-to-one online sessions to help manage these sleep problems. Researchers want to find out if this program is safe, easy to use, and helpful for those taking part. If successful, it could lead to better support for many more shift workers in the future.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

Start

23 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

04 Feb 2026

Shift work sleep disorder

What is this study about?

Working shifts can often make it difficult to get enough good sleep, as your work hours might clash with the times your body expects to be asleep. This can cause problems like not being able to fall asleep, waking up a lot, or feeling incredibly tired during the day. When these sleep issues are clearly caused by shift work, it's called shift work sleep disorder. It can really affect your health and overall happiness.

This study is focused on helping NHS staff who experience these sleep problems because of their shift patterns. Researchers are creating a new support program and want to test it out. They specifically want to see if the program is safe for people to use and if people find it helpful and easy to follow. This type of study, called a 'feasibility study,' is an important first step to see if a larger study should be done in the future.

Ultimately, if this pilot study shows good results, it could mean that the program has the potential to be rolled out more widely. This would offer a valuable new way to help many more shift workers manage their sleep, leading to better health and well-being for those dedicated individuals working in our healthcare system.

Key takeaways

This study aims to improve sleep for NHS shift workers.
It tests a new online one-to-one support program.
Participation involves questionnaires, sleep tracking, and six online sessions.
Potential benefits include better sleep and contributing to important research.
Risks are considered low, with safeguards in place.
The study helps decide if a larger trial should happen next.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part if you are an NHS shift worker aged 18 or over. This means you work shifts that involve working after 6 pm or before 7 am, at least 1 to 3 times a week, and have been doing so for at least three months. Importantly, you should be having significant sleep problems (like trouble falling asleep or feeling very sleepy) that are caused by your shift work, and these problems should be affecting your daily life.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if your sleep problems are mainly due to another health condition or if you are already getting formal psychological treatment for sleep issues. Also, you cannot join if you have certain serious health conditions like untreated sleep apnea, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, or if you have recently had thoughts of harming yourself.

It's also important that you have reliable internet access and can understand English, as the program is delivered online. If you're pregnant or planning pregnancy soon, or if you have major surgery planned, you also won't be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you an NHS shift worker, 18 or older?
Do you have significant sleep problems (like tiredness or trouble sleeping) because of your shift work?
Are these sleep problems affecting your daily life?
Do you have stable internet access?
Are you currently not receiving formal sleep therapy from a specialist?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are interested, the first step is to fill out an online questionnaire. If you seem suitable, you’ll then have a short interview to confirm you meet all the requirements. You'll complete more questionnaires about your sleep, tiredness, and general health, either online or over the phone. For two weeks, you’ll be asked to keep a sleep diary and wear a special watch, like a fitness tracker, which measures your movement to estimate your sleep. You’ll also place a sensor under your mattress for the whole study to track your sleep.

After this, you'll have six one-on-one online sessions, each lasting about an hour, every two weeks. These sessions will be with a trained research nurse or team member. These sessions are designed to help you improve your sleep. At the end of the program, you'll complete the questionnaires again. Some participants and the team members running the sessions will also be asked to share their experiences in an interview, either online or by phone. The total duration of active participation, including assessments and the program, will be around 14 weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part might help you to sleep better, which could improve your overall health and well-being. You'll also be contributing to important research that could help many other shift workers with their sleep problems in the future. The study team has carefully considered what might be difficult or risky about taking part. The program itself is considered low-risk. While there's a small chance you might feel a bit emotional talking about your sleep problems, you can always choose not to answer questions you're uncomfortable with. There's also a slight chance that changing your sleep patterns might make you feel more tired for a short time, but you’ll get advice on how to manage this, including avoiding activities like driving if you feel too sleepy. If you have any concerns about your health during the study, the team will advise you to speak to your GP or seek emergency care if needed. Remember, you are free to leave the study at any time.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Oxford, England
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Oxford, England

Common questions

What is 'shift work sleep disorder'?

It's when your sleep problems, like trouble falling asleep or feeling very tired, are directly caused by your shift work schedule.

What kind of support is offered in the program?

You'll receive six one-on-one online sessions with a trained team member, spaced out every two weeks, focusing on improving your sleep.

Will I have to take any medication?

No, this study tests a behavioural program, which means it helps you with techniques and habits for better sleep, not medication.

How will my sleep be measured?

You'll keep a sleep diary, wear a wrist device like a fitness tracker, and have a sensor under your mattress to track your sleep patterns.

What happens if I feel emotional during the study?

There's a small chance that talking about sleep problems might be upsetting. You will not have to answer any questions you feel uncomfortable with, and you can contact your GP if you have any health concerns.

How to find out more

Thava Priya Sugavanam

priya.sugavanam@ocdem.ox.ac.uk -+44 1865 857264 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.