Dr. Megan Crawford

My research focuses on optimising psychological treatments for sleep disorders. In my research, I have focused on optimisation through measuring and improving treatment adherence, improving access to treatments and ensuring that the treatment is generalisable to different groups. My work on treatment adherence started during my PhD at the University of Glasgow under the supervision of Prof Colin Espie, and since then I have developed a theoretical model to explain adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for sleep apnoea. The model focused on the synergy between psychological, biological and social factors. Improving access to treatment is particularly relevant for individuals experiencing insomnia since the treatment of choice (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) is not readily accessible. As a consequence, digital interventions have been developed to improve access. I recently evaluated one of these interventions as a potential treatment for sleep problems in chronic migraineurs. This study also nicely dovetailed into my third research interest which is ensuring that treatment is generalisable to other groups. So far I have evaluated CBT in individuals with migraines and also individuals with sleep apnoea. This research has demonstrated that we can treat insomnia when it co-occurs in the context of other conditions.