Introduction/Rationale: Sleep is a critical occupation impacting daily function, mental health, and overall well-being. The Sleep Well Therapeutic Program, a Swiss-developed health promotion intervention, employs an occupation-based approach to enhance sleep quality in adults at risk of sleep disturbances. This program integrates structured group sessions encompassing sleep education, occupation-based strategies, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and peer support through shared experiences.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the Sleep Well program and assesses its potential for broader implementation through a comprehensive program evaluation.
Methods/Approach: A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted with 18 participants, including individuals with and without psychiatric diagnoses, who completed the program in 2023. Data collection comprised qualitative feedback from individual interviews and focus groups, alongside quantitative measures of sleep quality, well-being, and occupational balance.
Results: The program demonstrated successful implementation with high adherence rates. Participants reported significant value in the occupation-based strategies for sleep improvement, as well as the group format and peer support. Clinically significant improvements in well-being were observed using the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS), with a mean increase of 6 points per session. The most substantial benefits were noted among participants without psychiatric diagnoses. These findings affirm the program's feasibility within the Swiss healthcare context and underscore the efficacy of occupational therapy in preventive sleep interventions.
Conclusion/Significance to the Profession: The Sleep Well program illustrates the significant role of occupational therapy in sleep health promotion and prevention. Integrating occupation-based sleep interventions into preventive care facilitates early intervention strategies that enhance overall well-being and sleep quality. These results support the scalability of the Sleep Well program to broader clinical settings.