Our main goal is to find new methods of assessing sleep-wake patterns and develop new interventions for individuals with sleep-wake disruptions across all societal levels.

-Håvard Kallestad, Group Leader

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Trondheim Sleep Group/SCN CAG is located at St. Olavs University Hospital in Østmarka. Our research encompasses a wide range of areas, including large randomized controlled trials (RCT) on digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (dCBTI), also in relation to mental and neurological disorders. We explore chronotherapy, employ technologies such as actigraphy and radar to objectively measure and analyze sleep, as well as study the use of explainable AI (XAI) and health economics in sleep research. The overarching aim of our projects is to generate knowledge and methods that can directly be translated to and implemented in the clinic.

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Trondheim Sleep Group - A part of SCN CAG

A Clinical Academic Group (CAG) is characterized by a close collaboration between researchers and clinicians funded by Samarbeidsorganet, a regional collaborative body for education, research and innovation in Central Norway. The main focus of Trondheim Sleep Group is to conduct clinical trials on interventions that improve sleep and circadian rhythmicity in the general population and clinical populations in the region.

Sleep-wake disorders (SWD) are disturbances of sleep quality or the timing of the sleep period and pose a significant health and societal challenge. In the general population, 15 % have SWD, while in mental, neurological and alcohol abuse disorders treated on an outpatient basis, the prevalence is around 50 %. In acutely admitted patients with mental illness, the incidence is even higher. In acutely ill populations, SWD increases the risk of suicide, violence and prolonged hospitalization.

The CAG shall strengthen collaboration and translation of research between the university and health services in the region and establish new studies on a wide range of topics related to SWD. Included projects target sleep, anxiety, suicide prevention, addiction, computer science and animal models. The work packages include activities such as digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in different patient groups, socio-economic benefits and personalized approaches. Studies will be conducted on improving the mental health status of depressed outpatients and acutely admitted psychiatric patients. The CAG will also test SWD as a therapeutic target in suicide prevention and evaluation of suicide risk. Another sub-project is measurement of movement patterns to assess SWD in hospitalized patients in psychiatry, forensic medicine and addiction, and models to test whether movement analyses can predict aggressive behavior invulnerable patient groups. The CAG will also develop an animal model to test the effects of manipulating photosensitivity.

Key partners: St. Olav's Hospital, the MH, IE and SU faculties at NTNU, the hospitals in Levanger and Molde and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Other collaborators: University of Virginia (US), Newcastle University (UK), Vital Things AS, Lade Treatment Center, MS Association, User Group for Substance Abuse and Addiction at St. Olav's Hospital, ANANKE, NTNU TTO, Sykehusbygg HF, and Haukeland University Hospital.

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Integration with St. Olavs hospital

Trondheim Sleep Group is integrated with the inpatient Acute Clinic, outpatient Sleep Clinic, and the Bipolar Clinic at St. Olavs hospital. Here we have identified a need to provide evidence-based treatments for patients with insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders across a wide range of clinical diagnoses. Based on our clinical experience and existing research, we continuously develop research projects with the aim to better understand and treat insomnia, circadian rhythms, and mental disorders.

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Research Group homepage at NTNU

Sleep and Chronobiology Research Group (SACR) - Department of Mental Health - NTNU