Effects of Aerobic Exercise Versus Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in University Students With Insomnia Complaints

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of aerobic exercise compared to digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in university students who have complaints of insomnia. The study aims to see if aerobic exercise can produce similar improvements as digital CBT-I in reducing insomnia severity and improving sleep quality, as well as reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. This is a clinical trial sponsored by Universidade Federal de Goias with randomized participant groups. Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will engage in aerobic exercise consisting of three outdoor walking sessions per week, each lasting 50 continuous minutes at moderate intensity, for 7 weeks. These sessions will be supervised and recorded by a researcher. The second group will participate in three weekly sessions of digital CBT-I via the Vigilantes do Sono® app, which follows an approved therapeutic protocol. During the study, participants will complete self-administered questionnaires to assess insomnia severity, sleep quality, cognitive and somatic arousal before sleep, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress both at the start and after 7 weeks of intervention. Additional evaluations include physical assessments, sleep diaries, physical activity levels, and sedentary behavior. Researchers will monitor adherence to the interventions and collect data to compare outcomes between the two groups.

Aerobic Exercise Versus Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia