Can treating sleep problems improve depression? The RESTED Trial
Depression is very common, but current treatments like antidepressants and talking therapies do not work for everyone. Poor sleep often makes depression worse, and doctors want to know if fixing sleep problems can help lift low mood. The RESTED trial tests a practical approach called 'sleep scheduling therapy'. Adults experiencing both depression and insomnia through participating GP practices can join. Participants are randomly split into two groups. Both groups continue their normal NHS care, but one group also receives six weekly sessions with a nurse to build a personalised sleep schedule. Over six months, participants will wear a wrist tracker, fill in sleep diaries, and complete simple check-in questionnaires. The aim is to see whether targeted sleep support can lead to better, longer-lasting recovery for people living with depression.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Depression affects millions of people across the UK. While standard treatments such as talking therapies and antidepressant tablets help many people, more than one in three do not find enough relief. Sleep problems, such as lying awake for hours or waking up repeatedly through the night, are extremely common in people with depression.
Doctors have long noticed that poor sleep and low mood feed into each other in a vicious cycle. When you do not sleep well, your energy, thinking, and emotional resilience drop, making depression harder to manage. Researchers want to know whether directly fixing sleep problems can break this cycle and help people feel better overall.
The RESTED trial is testing a technique called sleep scheduling therapy. In this study, a trained nurse works closely with participants to look at their sleep patterns and introduce a consistent, tailored sleep routine. By comparing people who receive this extra support with people receiving their usual GP care, the researchers hope to find out if this simple sleep programme should be offered more widely across the NHS.
Key takeaways
- The RESTED study is exploring whether a nurse-guided sleep schedule can help ease depression.
- It is open to adults aged 18 and over who have depression and insomnia and are registered with a taking-part GP surgery.
- Participants are randomly chosen to receive either their usual GP care alone or usual care plus six weekly nurse appointments.
- You will wear a comfortable sleep-tracking wristband and keep sleep diaries at set points over six months.
- You will keep receiving all your normal GP treatments, and you can leave the study at any time.
Who may be eligible?
You may be able to take part if you are 18 or older, registered at a participating GP surgery, and currently experiencing both depression and ongoing trouble falling or staying asleep.
The trial is not suitable for everyone. For safety and clear results, people who work night shifts or rotating shifts, or those who are pregnant, cannot join. The study also excludes people with certain other conditions, including epilepsy, memory problems, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or active drug or alcohol dependence.
If you have recently had hospital care for your mental health, have had active thoughts of self-harm in the past two months, or have already tried this specific sleep therapy with a professional, you will not be eligible. A doctor or study researcher will chat through these points with you to make sure the trial is safe for you.
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.
- I am aged 18 or over.
- My GP surgery is taking part in the RESTED study.
- I am currently experiencing symptoms of depression.
- I regularly struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night.
- I do not work night shifts or rotating shift patterns.
- I am not pregnant and not planning a pregnancy during the trial.
What does participation involve?
If you are interested, you will first complete a 15-minute questionnaire and a short interview to confirm the study is a good match. If you join, you will meet a researcher, answer questions about your health, complete a short computer task looking at words and faces, and wear a lightweight movement-tracking wristband (an acti-watch) for seven days while keeping a sleep diary.
A computer will then randomly place you into one of two groups. Both groups carry on with all their usual GP care. Group 1 receives standard GP care only. Group 2 also attends six weekly sessions with a nurse who will help you build and stick to a new, personalised sleep routine.
The whole study lasts six months. At one, two, and six months, you will fill in follow-up questionnaires. At the two- and six-month marks, you will also wear the wrist tracker for a week, keep a diary, and do a brief computer activity. You can return items using pre-paid envelopes or leave them at your GP practice.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- -Approximate-, England
Common questions
Will I have to stop taking my current depression medication?
No. You will continue to receive your usual treatments and support from your GP, including any prescribed antidepressants.
What is an acti-watch?
It is a comfortable, watch-like device worn on the wrist. It tracks your body movement and light exposure to help the researchers measure your sleep patterns.
Can I choose which group I am in?
No. A computer assigns you to a group by chance. This random process ensures the trial provides fair and reliable results.
Does taking part cost anything?
No. The study is free to take part in, and pre-paid envelopes are provided for returning the watch and diaries.
What happens if I want to leave the study early?
You are free to leave the trial at any time, for any reason. Your regular NHS care and your relationship with your GP will not be affected in any way.
How to find out more
Charles Vicary
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.