Sleep Learning Education and Empowerment for Older Korean Immigrants

Poor sleep is common among Asian Americans. Untreated sleep problems increase the risk of chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and mortality. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) is considered the first-line treatment for chronic sleep problems and has demonstrated significant improvement in sleep health among older adults. However, existing CBTI is built upon Western culture, making it challenging to apply for Asian immigrants who maintain close ties to their native cultures that shape and influence their sleep habits. Addressing the lack of availability of a culturally adapted sleep intervention program is the first step to filling the gap in sleep health disparity among Asian immigrants.

This study aims to pilot test the feasibility and the preliminary efficacy of a culturally adapted sleep intervention program among older Korean immigrants with poor sleep, one of the fastest-growing immigrant groups in the United States with limited access to mainstream sleep therapies.