Getting good sleep before surgery is really important for healing well afterward. Researchers are testing whether a special sleep improvement program can help patients sleep better before their operations. The study will work with 154 people who are scheduled for surgery and have trouble sleeping. Some will get the regular pre-surgery preparation plus a new sleep program, while others get just the regular preparation. Scientists will measure how much the sleep program helps by checking sleep quality before surgery and six weeks after. This is the first time researchers are seriously studying whether helping people sleep better before surgery can improve their recovery.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does a personalized sleep improvement program help people sleep better before surgery compared to standard pre-surgery preparation alone?
  • Who participated: 154 English-speaking patients from a hospital’s pre-surgery program who have sleep problems and are scheduled for surgery within 4-12 weeks
  • Key finding: This study is still in progress, but it will measure whether adding sleep coaching and behavioral techniques to standard pre-surgery care improves sleep quality in the week before surgery
  • What it means for you: If the program works, it could mean that people having surgery might be offered sleep help as part of their pre-surgery preparation, which could lead to better healing and fewer complications after surgery

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: one group receives standard pre-surgery preparation (exercise, nutrition advice, and mental health support) plus a new sleep improvement program, while the other group gets only the standard preparation. Neither the patients nor the researchers measuring results knew which group each person was in, which helps prevent bias. The study checks on patients at three time points: when they start, one week before surgery, and six weeks after surgery.

This research design is important because it allows scientists to see whether the sleep program actually causes better sleep, rather than just noticing that people who sleep better happen to do better after surgery. By randomly assigning people to groups, the researchers can be more confident that any differences are due to the sleep program and not other factors.

This is a well-designed study because it uses random assignment, has someone checking results who doesn’t know which group people are in, and measures sleep quality using a standard tool that doctors use worldwide. The study excludes people with existing sleep disorders, shift workers, and those with certain other conditions, which makes the results clearer but means the findings may not apply to everyone.

What the Results Show

This study is a protocol paper, meaning it describes the plan for the research rather than showing actual results. The researchers will measure the main outcome using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which is a standard 19-question survey that doctors use to evaluate how well people sleep. They will compare sleep quality between the two groups one week before surgery, while accounting for how well people slept at the beginning of the study. The sleep program includes three main parts: a personalized sleep assessment, brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (which teaches practical techniques to improve sleep), and sleep hygiene education (tips for better sleep habits). The study will also track sleep quality six weeks after surgery to see if better pre-surgery sleep helps with recovery.

While the main focus is on sleep quality before surgery, the researchers will likely look at other important outcomes such as how well people recover after surgery, how much pain they have, how quickly they return to normal activities, and whether they have fewer complications. These secondary outcomes could show whether better sleep before surgery actually leads to better healing and recovery.

This is the first study to specifically test whether improving sleep before surgery helps with surgical outcomes. Previous research shows that good sleep is important for healing and that pre-surgery preparation programs (using exercise, nutrition, and mental health support) do help people recover better. This study builds on that knowledge by adding sleep improvement to the mix.

The study only includes English-speaking patients, so results may not apply to people who speak other languages. It excludes people with existing sleep disorders, shift workers, and those with certain other conditions, so the findings may not apply to these groups. The study is being done at one hospital system, so results might be different in other places. Additionally, this is just the study plan—we don’t yet know if the sleep program actually works.

The Bottom Line

This study hasn’t produced results yet, so we can’t make firm recommendations. However, the research plan is solid and based on good evidence that sleep matters for surgery recovery. Once results are available, doctors may recommend sleep improvement programs as part of standard pre-surgery preparation. In the meantime, getting good sleep before surgery is always a good idea.

Anyone scheduled for surgery should care about this research, especially people who have trouble sleeping. Doctors and hospitals preparing patients for surgery should pay attention to see if this program becomes available. People with existing sleep disorders, shift workers, and those with cognitive disabilities were excluded from this study, so results may not apply to them in the same way.

The study measures sleep quality in the week before surgery and recovery six weeks after surgery. If the sleep program works, benefits might appear within weeks of starting the program, but the full impact on healing may take several weeks to see.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track sleep quality using a simple daily log: record bedtime, wake time, number of times waking up, and rate sleep quality 1-10. Compare weekly averages to see if sleep improves over time.
  • If you’re facing surgery, use the app to set sleep goals like going to bed 30 minutes earlier, keeping your bedroom cool and dark, or avoiding screens one hour before bed. Log your progress daily to stay motivated.
  • Create a baseline sleep score in the app before starting any sleep improvements, then track weekly to see progress. Set reminders for sleep hygiene habits (like consistent bedtime) and review your sleep trends monthly to identify what helps most.

This article describes a research study protocol that is still in progress and has not yet produced final results. The findings discussed are based on the study plan, not actual outcomes. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your doctor. If you are scheduled for surgery and have sleep problems, talk with your healthcare provider about what pre-surgery preparation options are available to you. Always consult with your medical team before making changes to your sleep habits or starting new treatments, especially if you have an existing sleep disorder or are taking medications.