An innovative new program offers online treatment for people with insomnia, and is currently being trialled nationwide.

The program - Sleep-e - is a collaborative project involving Australia universities and instutions overseas.

Sleeping problems are common, with one in three adults experiencing difficulties falling or staying asleep.

Insomnia is diagnosed when these sleeping difficulties occur several times a week for three months or more. Three per cent of the Australian population have a clinical diagnosis of insomnia.

“Insomnia affects the mental and physical health of sufferers, causing distress, difficulties doing daily activities and an increased risk of accidents,” Dr Jo-Anne Abbott from Swinburne University’s National eTherapy Centre (NeTC) said.

There is an effective long-term treatment for insomnia known as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) but less than 15 per cent of adults with insomnia receive CBT.

“CBT is difficult to teach in short medical consultations and there is a shortage of specialists for GPs to refer patients to for treatment,” Dr Abbott said.

Sleep-e is a seven week program that provides CBT for insomnia via the internet.

The program encourages good sleep hygiene habits, changes unhelpful sleeping patterns and reduces the worry that can contribute to insomnia.

A related project has led to the launch of a free mobile app to help people relax and improve their sleep.

“It seems counterintuitive to use a phone to help you get to sleep, but the app was designed to be used throughout the day,” said Alex Lopez, a Swinburne research fellow.

The app offers relaxation exercises to help sleep by reducing physical tension and worry and provides notifications to help keep track of progress.

Both the treatment program and the app are in the trail phase, but more information and opportunities for involvement are available here.