The Sleep-MOMagement project: effectiveness of person-centred digital behavioural interventions for postpartum maternal sleep improvement in sleep-disturbed first-time mothers.

Two in five postpartum women (i.e., 41%) experience chronic insomnia complaints at 2 years
postpartum. These complaints are associated with reduced physical activity, increased pain, and
worsened mood. To further our understanding of effective interventions for disturbed sleep and its
negative consequences in new mothers, this study aims to investigate the clinical and costeffectiveness of two sleep MOMagement approaches compared to standard care. Additionally, the
study will explore predictors and moderators of treatment response. The first approach entails
cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) adapted for the postpartum population. The second
approach focuses on daytime activities and involves behavioral aerobic exercise therapy (BAET). The
hypothesized effects of both interventions include greater improvements in insomnia severity
(primary outcome), physical activity, symptoms of depression and anxiety, quality of life, and pain
(secondary outcomes) compared to usual care. Additionally, it is hypothesized that both sleep
MOMagement approaches are cost-effective in comparison to usual care. Understanding the effect of
sleep MOMagement, together with the predictors and moderators of treatment response, is a
research priority. It enables tailored treatments to address the unique needs of each woman,
ultimately promoting personalized postpartum care and positively impacting the long-term health of
new mothers.