About the SLEEP BETTER Program

What is the SLEEP BETTER Program?

The SLEEP BETTER Program is a technology-based sleep self-management intervention designed specifically for adults who have experienced subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and their caregivers. This 4-week, web-based program provides evidence-based education, skills, and strategies to improve sleep quality and overall health.

Why Was This Program Created?

Research shows that sleep disturbances are common among SAH survivors and their caregivers, affecting up to 76% of this population. Poor sleep can negatively impact recovery, cognitive function, quality of life, and caregiving capacity. Despite these challenges, there has been a lack of accessible, evidence-based interventions specifically tailored to this population's needs.

The SLEEP BETTER Program was developed to fill this critical gap, providing a structured, accessible way for SAH survivors and caregivers to improve their sleep health through self-management strategies.

What Makes SLEEP BETTER Unique?

• Population-Specific: Designed specifically for SAH survivors and their caregivers, addressing their unique challenges and needs
• Evidence-Based: Built on over 5 years of systematic research with the SAH population
• Dual-Population Design: First program to address both survivors AND caregivers
• Flexible Participation: Can be completed individually or as a dyad (survivor and caregiver together)
• Progressive Structure: Builds from education to confidence to skills to sustainability
• Self-Paced: Complete lessons on your own schedule within each week
• Accessible: Web-based format accessible from any device with internet
• Interactive: Includes video/audio content and quizzes to reinforce learning

The Research Behind SLEEP BETTER

The SLEEP BETTER Program is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Grant R56HL16781 and is based on systematic research conducted from 2019-2025:

• 2020: Research showed that higher self-efficacy predicts better sleep quality in SAH survivors
• 2020-2021: Qualitative studies with 30 SAH survivors identified common sleep problems, self-management strategies, and barriers
• 2025: Studies revealed that gender, inflammation, and cognition affect sleep trajectories in SAH survivors

These findings directly informed the development of the SLEEP BETTER Program, ensuring it addresses real needs identified by the SAH community.

Program Goals

The SLEEP BETTER Program aims to:

• Provide comprehensive education about sleep and its role in recovery
• Increase participants' confidence and self-efficacy in managing sleep
• Teach practical, evidence-based skills and techniques for improving sleep
• Support long-term sustainability of sleep management practices
• Connect participants with social support resources
• Improve overall sleep quality, health outcomes, and quality of life

Theoretical Foundation

The program is grounded in several evidence-based theoretical frameworks:

• Self-Efficacy Theory: Building confidence in one's ability to manage sleep
• Self-Management Theory: Empowering individuals to take active roles in their health
• Cognitive-Behavioral Principles: Addressing thoughts, behaviors, and environmental factors affecting sleep
• Social Support Theory: Leveraging relationships and community resources for sustained success

Research Team

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Eeeseung Byun, PhD, RN

Associate Professor
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics
University of Washington School of Nursing
Harborview Medical Center Endowed Professorship in Critical Care

Contact:
Phone: 267-968-7012
Email: ebyun@uw.edu

Dr. Byun is a leading researcher in sleep health, caregiver burden, and symptom management in neurological populations. Her research focuses on understanding and improving sleep disturbances in vulnerable populations, with particular emphasis on subarachnoid hemorrhage survivors and their caregivers.

Co-Investigators:
Hilaire Thompson, PhD, RN, CNRN, ACNP-BC, FAAN
William Lober, MD, MS
Teresa Ward, PhD, RN, FAAN
Michael Levitt, MD
Kathryn Lee, PhD, RN, CBSM, FAAN

Funding

This program is supported by:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
• Grant Number: R56HL16781
• Project Title: "Technology-based Sleep Self-Management Intervention for Adults with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage"

Program Version

Current Version: 1.0 (Updated July 2, 2025)