Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program
The Johns Hopkins Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program's mission is to advance the science and treatment of sleep disorders and their consequences, using behavioral and psychological approaches.
-
Research
In conjunction with the Behavioral Medicine division, we are conducting research to advance the scientific understanding of sleep and sleep disorders, in particular the relationship between insomnia and chronic pain. Learn about eligibility and how you can participate.
-
Clinical Care at Johns Hopkins
The Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center provides adult outpatient services to help patients improve their sleep and live healthier, happier lives. Learn more about our clinic and how we help people.
What is Insominia?
Insomnia is a problem either falling asleep or staying asleep that causes personal distress or interferes with your daytime functioning in some way. There are two main types of insomnia: "primary" and "secondary".
Primary insomnia is having difficulties with sleep which are not caused by a medical or psychiatric disorder. Although primary insomnia often begins with stress or physical injury, it continues long after the factors that first started it have been resolved.
Secondary insomnia is caused by a medical or psychiatric disorder. Examples of such conditions are an overactive thyroid, major depression, a medication side effect, and another sleep disorder (e.g. sleep apnea).
What is Sleep Loss?
While insomnia is an involuntary inability to sleep, many people suffer from sleep loss by deliberately restricting their sleep either for work-related reasons or other purposes. Individuals vary on the amount of sleep needed to feel refreshed and function at their best. Studies show that when you get less sleep than you need, this negatively affects you physically and mentally. The effect can be cumulative. This is sometimes referred to as "sleep debt".
It is believed that millions of Americans do not get adequate amounts of sleep on a regular basis. Although everyone has a different need for sleep, most people seem to require more than 6.5 hours per night. Restricting sleep time may negatively affect a variety of important cognitive and physiologic functions. Sleep restriction can also lead to daytime sleepiness, which can increase the rates of accidental injuries and automobile crashes.
Volunteers NeededParticipate in Research
The Johns Hopkins Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program, in conjunction with the Behavioral Medicine division and the Center for Mind Body Research, has ongoing studies of insomnia, chronic jaw pain/TMJD, knee osteoarthritis, and healthy, good sleepers. View the flyers below to learn more and call to start the enrollment process.
-
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ/TMD) Research. Researchers at Johns Hopkins are looking for female volunteers with TMJ/TMD pain to participate in a research study funded by the National Institutes of Health to investigate how sleep and unhelpful thoughts about TMD impact pain sensitivity and symptoms related to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). You may be eligible if you: Are a female between 18-65 years of age, have had jaw muscle pain for 3 months or more, have sleep difficulties. Study Includes: A dental evaluation for TMJ/TMD, completing interviews and questionnaires, 2 ambulatory sleep studies that you can do in your own home, completing sensory testing procedures, 8 total study visits over 3 months and 1 telephone follow-up 3 months after completing the study. Earn up to $650.00. Please contact: Tafadzwa Amani at 410.550.8099. Click here for PDF flyer.
PI: Jennifer Haythornthwaite, Ph.D. (IRB Protocol: NA_00070364) -
Are you a good sleeper? VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Sleep and Sensory Testing Research Study. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine are looking for male and female volunteers to participate in a research study examining the effects of sleep on sensory abilities. To participate in this research study, you must be: Healthy and between the ages of 18-48. Research study includes: Initial phone screening, In-person medical screening, 1-week diary of sleep patterns at home, and some required overnight hospital stays. Compensation up to $1,250.00. For information, please call 410.550.7906. Click here for PDF Flyer.
PI: Michael T. Smith, Protocol: NA_00071465 -
Healthy Volunteers are needed for a research study conducted at Johns Hopkins to study knee pain and sensory testing. To participate, you must be 45 years or older, have osteoarthritis of the knee with knee pain and have no other major health conditions. Parking, and tests are provided at no cost. Compensation is provided. Call 410.550.9056. Principal Investigator: Claudia Campbell (IRB Protocol # NA_00041113) Click here for PDF flyer.