Efficacy of customized smartphone based sleep hygiene therapy on insomnia among senior citizens during the COVID-19 lockdown, Tamil Nadu, India

Quantitative research approach with one group pretest - posttest research design was used to examine the “Efficacy of customized smartphone based sleep hygiene therapy on insomnia among senior citizens during the COVID-19 lockdown, Tamil Nadu, India”. Objectives were 1) To assess the existing level of insomnia and 2) To determine the efficacy of customized smartphone based sleep hygiene therapy for insomnia. The study was conducted among senior citizens who had access to android mobile phones and who responded to the e-survey. Web-based link was created on Google Forms and shared through WhatsApp application. The therapy was administered in real time using videogenic therapy sessions that were administered via web calls. During phase I of data collection, convenient sampling technique was used to select eligible participants. In phase II of data collection, purposive sampling technique was used to include participants with insomnia. Self-structured demographic questionnaire, the insomnia severity index and sleep diary were used. The intervention involved sleep restriction, bed time restriction, relaxation therapy and stimulus control therapy. In line with the sleep diary assessment the required virtual intervention was provided solitarily or in combination. The prevalence of insomnia was 64.2%. The customized smartphone based sleep hygiene therapy on insomnia was effective (p=0.000) among senior citizens during COVID-19 lockdown.