NCT07420205 · San Diego State University
Sleep Health in U.S. Marines
What this study is about
The goal of this study is to test a sleep health program designed specifically for U.S. Marine Corps personnel. Researchers want to determine if this program helps Marines improve the participants sleep quality and overall mental health. The study will evaluate whether the program improves sleep quality and duration and reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicide ideation.
View original scientific description
The goal of this study is to test a sleep health program designed specifically for U.S. Marine Corps personnel. Researchers want to determine if this program helps Marines improve the participants sleep quality and overall mental health. The study will evaluate whether the program improves sleep quality and duration and reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicide ideation. There are three distinct sleep health programs that will be evaluated; participants will be randomly assigned to one of five groups to receive different combinations of the sleep health programs. To measure results, researchers will use participant surveys for all enrolled participants and wearable sleep-tracking devices for a sub-set of participants. The study team expects that Marines who receive the most comprehensive version of the program will show the greatest improvements in sleep and psychological well-being.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Sleep Leadership
This classroom-style educational training was designed by Adler and colleagues (2021) specifically for Army leaders, based on research showing that perceptions of their leader's sleep-related behaviors can impact unit member's sleep (Gunia et al., 2015). The one-hour training includes a combination of PowerPoint slides, video clips, and handouts with content targeting five leader behaviors denoted using the acronym "SLEEP": Set conditions for adequate sleep through work stress mitigation and environmental conditions; Lead by example; Educate Soldiers about caffeine, alcohol, and substances; Encourage awareness and responsibility among Soldiers; Prioritize sleep and recovery during and after missions.
BEHAVIORAL
Circadian, Light, and Sleep Skills in Shipboard Military (CLASS-MC) Personnel Program
CLASS-MC is a sleep and circadian health-focused educational program originally designed for shipboard Sailors (Schmied et al., 2022) adapted in the current study for Marines. CLASS-MC includes a 30-minute presentation that is delivered in-person. The curriculum includes information on the purpose and benefits of sleep, basic information about circadian health, and detailed and feasible strategies for how to maximize sleep and circadian health in operational conditions.
BEHAVIORAL
Insomnia Coach
This intervention is a mobile app developed by researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA; Kuhn et al., 2022). Insomnia Coach is based on principles of CBT-I, and includes various content modules, such as a daily sleep diary, psychoeducation, and personalized feedback recommendations provided by a feature called "Sleep Coach" (Kuhn et al., 2022).
Primary outcome measures
Depression symptoms
Time frame: Change from baseline to 6-, 12-, and 24-weeks post-baseline
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 will provide a measure of depressive symptoms. Item scores will be summed to estimate severity of symptoms (range: 0-27).
Sleep Quality
Time frame: Change from baseline to 6-, 12-, and 24-weeks post-baseline
The abbreviated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index will provide a measure of subjective sleep quality. Items are summed to indicate degree of sleep quality (range: 0-15) with greater scores indicating poorer quality.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Able to read and write in English
- Currently serving as an active duty member of the U.S. Marine Corp
- Currently assigned to duty at the approved study site
Exclusion criteria
- Planned deployment or training operation lasting 30 days or longer and /or planned change of duty station within the study period (i.e., 24 weeks postrecruitment)
- Under 18 years of age
- Unable to read and write in English
Where
- San Diego, California
Collaborators
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Apr 16, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations