Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9305-9049

Defense Date

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Natalie Dautovich

Second Advisor

Dr. Sarah Lageman

Third Advisor

Dr. Bruce Rybarczyk

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Morgan Reid

Fifth Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Wartella

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is commonly associated with sleep disturbances, affecting up to 80 percent of individuals with Parkinson’s. Effective and accessible treatments for sleep problems in Parkinson’s disease remain limited. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is a well-established, non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia but has been minimally studied in Parkinson’s populations. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a group-based CBTi intervention adapted for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Participants engaged in a six-week group intervention that incorporated Parkinson’s-specific adaptations. Preliminary findings indicated that the adapted group CBTi intervention was generally feasible and acceptable and showed trends toward improved sleep and mental health outcomes, while also highlighting areas for refinement, including enhancing accessibility, improving recruitment strategies, and further tailoring intervention components to address Parkinson’s-specific challenges. Findings aim to inform future iterations of the intervention and continue to support the development of accessible behavioral sleep interventions for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

4-23-2026

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