A new digital health program for insomnia, specifically designed for older adults, was recently developed at the University of Virginia. Study: Self-guided, online treatment helps older adults combat insomnia, published by WTop News earlier this year, explains the treatment and its outcomes. 

Lee Ritterband, PhD., the director of UVA’s Health Center for Behavioral Health and Technology, created the SHUTi OASIS intervention to help adults over the age of 55 who have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.

SHUTi OASIS is a web page that users can access on their phone or on a computer that includes text, pictures, and videos. The participants click, drag, and drop items on the screen which helps users manage intrusive thoughts that may arise from a racing mind or anxiety. It also includes guidelines that participants are encouraged to follow, such as not going to bed if you don’t feel sleepy. 

The study stated that SHUTi OASIS showed significantly positive results on participants’ ability to sleep and insomnia remission. 

Read the full article from WTop News here, to learn more about this intervention.