Health Technology/clinical-trials

Phase III SLEEPFIT Trial: Exercise vs CBT-I vs Combined Therapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain with Sleep Disorders — Australian Multi-Site Study

247 Health News Editorial

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16 Apr 2026

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4 min read

·clinical-trials

The SLEEPFIT trial compares exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, and combined approaches in 384 Australian patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and sleep disorders. This University of Sydney-led study uses telehealth delivery to evaluate optimal non-pharmacological treatments for this challenging dual presentation.

Originally reported by ClinicalTrials.gov

References

  1. 1.Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Chronic musculoskeletal conditions. AIHW. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions
  2. 2.Buysse, D. J. (2014). Sleep health: can we define it? Does it matter? Sleep, 37(1), 9-17. https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.3298
  3. 3.Eccleston, C., Fisher, E., Craig, L., Duggan, G. B., Rosser, B. A., & Keogh, E. (2014). Psychological therapies (Internet-delivered) for the management of chronic pain in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014(2), CD010152. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010152.pub2
  4. 4.Finan, P. H., Goodin, B. R., & Smith, M. T. (2013). The association of sleep and pain: an update and a path forward. Journal of Pain, 14(12), 1539-1552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2013.08.007
  5. 5.Foster, N. E., Anema, J. R., Cherkin, D., Chou, R., Cohen, S. P., Gross, D. P., Ferreira, P. H., Fritz, J. M., Koes, B. W., Peul, W., Turner, J. A., & Maher, C. G. (2018). Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. Lancet, 391(10137), 2368-2383. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30489-6
  6. 6.Mathias, J. L., Cant, M. L., & Burke, A. L. (2018). Sleep disturbances and sleep disorders in adults living with chronic pain: a meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine, 52, 198-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2018.05.023
  7. 7.Qaseem, A., Wilt, T. J., McLean, R. M., Forciea, M. A., Denberg, T. D., Barry, M. J., Boyd, C., Chow, R. D., Fitterman, N., Harris, R. P., Humphrey, L. L., Vijan, S., & Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. (2017). Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 166(7), 514-530. https://doi.org/10.7326/M16-2367
  8. 8.Riemann, D., Baglioni, C., Bassetti, C., Bjorvatn, B., Dolenc Groselj, L., Ellis, J. G., Espie, C. A., Garcia-Borreguero, D., Gjerstad, M., Gonçalves, M., Hertenstein, E., Jansson-Fröjmark, M., Jennum, P. J., Leger, D., Nissen, C., Parrino, L., Paunio, T., Pevernagie, D., Verbraecken, J., ... Spiegelhalder, K. (2017). European guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia. Journal of Sleep Research, 26(6), 675-700. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.12594
  9. 9.Schulz, K. F., Altman, D. G., & Moher, D. (2010). CONSORT 2010 statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. BMJ, 340, c332. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c332
  10. 10.University of Sydney. (2024). Comparative effectiveness of exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, and their combination for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain and poor sleep: SLEEPFIT trial. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT07532070. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07532070
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247 Health News Editorial

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