The Sleep Institute of the Department of Psychology at the University of Hong Kong is looking for volunteers aged 12-19 for a series of studies on treatment plans for insomnia and anxiety in adolescents. Participants who complete the study will get paid HK$600, and get follow-up evaluation and appropriate treatment for their sleep and anxiety problems.
Teens in this age group who have been experiencing frequent worry and nervousness over the past six months, or who have been suffering from insomnia three nights a week during the past three months are ideal candidates for this research. The Sleep Institute describes insomnia as “difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently in the middle of the night, or waking up too early and unable to fall asleep again”.
Candidates for the studies must first complete a 10-minute survey in which they need to answer questions about when they go to bed at night, when they wake up, how long it takes them to fall asleep, whether they have difficulty going back to sleep in the middle of the night if they wake up, among others.
The studies, which will begin in July, will be overseen by Dr Shirley X Li, associate professor at the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Psychology. Selected participants must undergo cognitive ability and eye movement tests, and be part of an eight-session insomnia/anxiety cognitive behaviour therapy group.
Earlier this month, the university’s Sleep, Self-Adjustment and Health Research Laboratory invited volunteers aged 25-45 to participate in a study on sleep deprivation, and those who are selected will get paid $1,200.
Header image credits: WICHAYADA SUWANNACHUN via Canva
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