Impact of a Sleep Course on Sleep, Mood and Anxiety Symptoms in College Students: A Pilot Study

Objective: To examine the impact of a sleep course on sleep-related behaviors, mood, and anxiety in college students. Participants: Participants were 145 students enrolled in either the sleep course (n = 70) or a psychology course (n = 75); data were collected in September 2014, November 2014, and February 2015. Methods: Sleep characteristics and symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using validated questionnaires and sleep logs. Linear, logistic and proportional odds regression models were used to test course effects. Results: In November, sleep course students reported significant differences in sleep hygiene (SHI; p < 0.001), perceived sleep latency (PSQI; p < 0.05), and circadian sleep phase (MEQ; p < 0.05), compared to controls. In February, the sleep course students maintained most of the aforementioned gains and reported fewer symptoms of depression (CES-D; p = 0.05) and anxiety (BAI; p < 0.05). Conclusions: These positive preliminary results indicate that focused education has the potential to improve sleep among college students.