This collection of sleep disorders thesis topics is designed for MD Psychiatry and DNB Psychiatry candidates who want clinically relevant research questions that can be completed within one thesis period using routine sleep history, psychiatric assessment, caregiver reports, clinical records and investigations already available in the treating centre. The topics cover insomnia disorder, sleep problems associated with psychiatric illness, circadian rhythm and sleep-wake schedule disorders, parasomnias, sleep-related movement complaints, medical comorbidity, pregnancy, older adults and sleep-service utilisation. Each topic can be developed into a focused sleep disorders research topic, a structured psychiatry protocol for sleep disorders or a submission-ready psychiatry synopsis for sleep and circadian research.
Last reviewed and updated: September 2026 · 2026–27 admissions
Insomnia Disorder
Association of duration of insomnia symptoms with occupational absenteeism during the preceding three months among adults meeting International Classification of Diseases Eleventh Revision criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep-onset and sleep-maintenance complaints between men and women with insomnia disorder attending a government teaching hospital psychiatry outpatient department: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of evening smartphone use exceeding two hours with prolonged sleep-onset latency during the preceding month among adults with insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of tea or coffee consumption after six in the evening with difficulty initiating sleep among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of tobacco use within two hours of bedtime with nocturnal awakenings during the preceding month among adults with insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of alcohol use as a sleep aid with next-day daytime impairment among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of daytime functioning between adults with predominantly sleep-onset insomnia and those with predominantly sleep-maintenance insomnia at first psychiatric assessment: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of irregular bedtime across weekdays and weekends with morning tiredness among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of daytime napping exceeding one hour with delayed sleep onset during the preceding month among adults with insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of shift work with sleep-maintenance difficulty among employed adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep complaints between rotating-shift and fixed-day workers diagnosed with insomnia disorder in a teaching hospital psychiatry outpatient department: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of occupational stress reported during clinical interview with frequent nocturnal awakenings among employed adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of marital conflict during the preceding three months with worsening sleep initiation among married adults with insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of recent financial difficulty with reduced total self-reported sleep time among adults newly diagnosed with insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of insomnia presentation between adults living in joint families and those living in nuclear families according to sleep timing and nighttime interruptions: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of household overcrowding with nighttime awakenings among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder and living with family members: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of bedroom television or mobile-phone use with self-reported sleep duration among adults with insomnia disorder during the preceding month: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of habitual bedtime later than midnight with daytime sleepiness among young adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of physical inactivity during the preceding month with difficulty maintaining sleep among adults diagnosed with insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of insomnia-related daytime impairment between adults with and without regular morning physical activity attending the same psychiatry outpatient service: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of comorbid major depressive disorder with early-morning awakening among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of comorbid generalised anxiety disorder with prolonged sleep-onset latency among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep complaints between adults with insomnia disorder alone and those with comorbid major depressive disorder at first psychiatric consultation: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of chronic pain during the preceding month with frequent nighttime awakenings among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of type two diabetes mellitus with nocturia-related sleep interruption among adults with insomnia disorder attending psychiatry or medicine outpatient services: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of menopausal status with nighttime awakenings among women aged forty to sixty years meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of caregiving for a chronically ill family member with reduced sleep duration among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of examination preparation after midnight with delayed sleep onset among college students meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of insomnia presentation during examination and non-examination periods among college students diagnosed with insomnia disorder: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of previous self-medication with over-the-counter sleep remedies with delayed psychiatric consultation among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for insomnia disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of baseline irregular sleep timing with persistence of insomnia symptoms after eight weeks of routine clinical care: a prospective observational study
Association of baseline evening smartphone use with continued delayed sleep onset after eight weeks among adults receiving routine treatment for insomnia disorder: a prospective observational study
Association of regular medication use during the first eight weeks with improvement in self-reported sleep duration among adults receiving routine treatment for insomnia disorder: a prospective observational study
Association of family support for sleep schedule changes with improvement in bedtime regularity after eight weeks among adults receiving routine insomnia care: a prospective observational study
Association of baseline caffeine use after evening with persistence of sleep-onset difficulty at eight weeks among adults receiving routine treatment for insomnia disorder: a prospective observational study
Retrospective audit of insomnia disorder diagnoses during the preceding year according to age, sex, psychiatric comorbidity and presenting sleep complaint: a record-based study
Retrospective comparison of insomnia-related outpatient attendance during examination and non-examination months among students during the preceding two academic years: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of medications prescribed for insomnia disorder during the preceding year according to drug class, duration documented and psychiatric comorbidity: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of sleep-hygiene advice documentation among adults diagnosed with insomnia disorder during the preceding twelve months: a record-based study
Retrospective comparison of first-follow-up attendance between adults with insomnia disorder prescribed medication and those managed with sleep-hygiene advice alone during routine clinical care: a record-based study
Sleep Problems Associated with Psychiatric Disorders
Association of depressive symptom duration with early-morning awakening among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep-onset, sleep-maintenance and early-morning awakening complaints between adults with major depressive disorder and adults with generalised anxiety disorder: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of suicidal thoughts documented during routine assessment with severe sleep disruption during the preceding week among adults with major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of anxiety-related rumination at bedtime with prolonged sleep onset among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for generalised anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of panic attacks occurring at night with next-day functional impairment among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for panic disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep disturbance between adults with panic disorder with nocturnal panic attacks and those without nocturnal panic attacks: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of social-media use after midnight with delayed sleep onset among young adults meeting diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of trauma-related nightmares with work absenteeism during the preceding month among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep disturbance between adults with post-traumatic stress disorder following road traffic accidents and those following interpersonal violence: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of intrusive trauma memories at bedtime with difficulty initiating sleep among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of alcohol use before bedtime with nighttime awakenings among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep complaints during the first week of routine detoxification between adults with alcohol use disorder with and without tobacco dependence: a comparative observational study
Association of cannabis use near bedtime with self-reported sleep difficulty on non-use nights among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of opioid withdrawal symptoms with sleep disruption during routine detoxification among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for opioid use disorder: a prospective observational study
Comparison of sleep complaints between adults receiving routine treatment for alcohol use disorder and those receiving routine treatment for opioid use disorder: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of current smoked or smokeless tobacco use with delayed sleep onset among adults with schizophrenia receiving maintenance treatment: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of daytime sedation with nighttime sleep duration among adults receiving antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of self-reported sleep duration between adults with schizophrenia receiving olanzapine and those receiving risperidone for at least twelve weeks: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of persistent auditory hallucinations at night with sleep-maintenance difficulty among adults with schizophrenia receiving routine outpatient treatment: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of akathisia detected during routine clinical examination with difficulty initiating sleep among adults receiving antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep complaints between adults with schizophrenia with and without clinically observed extrapyramidal adverse effects: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of manic symptom onset with reduction in self-reported sleep need among adults presenting with a manic episode of bipolar disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep duration during the week preceding presentation between adults with manic episodes and adults with depressive episodes of bipolar disorder: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of irregular sleep schedule with recent mood episode onset among adults with bipolar disorder attending outpatient follow-up: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of obsessive thoughts at bedtime with prolonged sleep onset among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for obsessive compulsive disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep disturbance between adults with obsessive compulsive disorder with prominent bedtime rituals and those without bedtime rituals: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of somatic symptom preoccupation at night with difficulty initiating sleep among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for somatic symptom disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of dissociative episodes occurring in the evening with sleep-onset difficulty among adults meeting diagnostic criteria for dissociative disorders: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms with delayed bedtime among adolescents diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of weekday and weekend sleep timing between adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and age-matched adolescents without psychiatric disorders: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of autism spectrum disorder with bedtime resistance among verbally communicative children and adolescents attending child psychiatry services: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of caregiver-reported nighttime awakenings with daytime irritability among children with autism spectrum disorder attending a teaching hospital child psychiatry clinic: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of baseline insomnia complaints with persistence of depressive symptoms after eight weeks of routine treatment among adults with major depressive disorder: a prospective observational study
Association of baseline sleep disruption with twelve-week outpatient retention among adults receiving routine treatment for schizophrenia: a prospective observational study
Association of baseline reduced sleep duration with clinical improvement after six weeks of routine treatment among adults presenting with manic episodes: a prospective observational study
Retrospective audit of sleep complaints documented among adults with major depressive disorder during the preceding year according to insomnia subtype and suicidal thoughts: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of sleep disturbances documented among adults with schizophrenia during the preceding year according to antipsychotic medication and substance use: a record-based study
Retrospective comparison of sleep complaints among adults with depressive, anxiety and psychotic disorders attending psychiatry services during the preceding year: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of sleep-related complaints among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder during the preceding two academic years: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of sedative medication prescribing for sleep complaints across major psychiatric diagnoses during the preceding twelve months: a record-based study
Circadian Rhythm and Sleep-Wake Schedule Disorders
Association of rotating night-shift work with delayed daytime sleep onset among healthcare workers reporting persistent sleep-wake disturbance for at least three months: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep duration between permanent night-shift and rotating-shift healthcare workers with clinically significant shift-related sleep complaints: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of number of night duties during the preceding month with daytime sleepiness among resident doctors reporting shift-related sleep disturbance: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of consecutive night shifts with occupational errors self-reported during the preceding month among healthcare workers with persistent sleep-wake disturbance: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep timing on duty and non-duty days among nurses working rotating shifts in a teaching hospital: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of commuting time after night duty with reduced daytime sleep duration among healthcare workers reporting shift-related sleep problems: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of caffeine use during night duty with difficulty initiating daytime sleep among healthcare workers with persistent shift-related sleep complaints: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of smartphone use after night duty with delayed daytime sleep onset among resident doctors reporting shift-related sleep disturbance: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of shared daytime sleeping environment with frequent awakenings among night-shift workers reporting persistent sleep disturbance: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of gastrointestinal complaints between rotating-shift workers with and without persistent shift-related sleep disturbance during the preceding three months: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of night-shift frequency with missed meals and irregular eating times among healthcare workers reporting persistent sleep-wake disturbance: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of irregular weekly shift schedules with self-reported work performance difficulties among nurses with shift-related sleep complaints: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of prolonged daytime naps on off-duty days with delayed bedtime before returning to daytime duty among rotating-shift healthcare workers: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of evening screen exposure exceeding three hours with delayed sleep timing among college students reporting persistent delayed sleep onset for at least three months: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of weekday and weekend sleep timing among college students with persistent delayed sleep onset and students without significant sleep complaints: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of examination preparation after midnight with delayed wake time among college students reporting persistent delayed sleep-wake patterns: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of hostel residence with delayed bedtime among college students with persistent sleep-wake schedule disturbance: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep timing between hostel residents and students living with family among young adults with persistent delayed sleep-wake patterns: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of late-night online gaming with delayed wake time among young adults reporting persistent delayed sleep onset: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of late-night social-media use with missed morning classes among college students with delayed sleep-wake patterns: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of evening caffeinated beverage consumption with bedtime after two in the morning among young adults with persistent delayed sleep timing: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of weekend sleep extension exceeding three hours with Monday morning absenteeism among college students reporting delayed sleep-wake patterns: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of academic functioning between students with persistent delayed sleep-wake patterns and age-matched students with regular sleep timing: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of parental monitoring of bedtime with earlier weekday sleep timing among adolescents reporting persistent delayed sleep onset: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of school start time with weekday sleep duration among adolescents reporting persistent delayed sleep-wake patterns: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of weekday sleep duration between adolescents travelling more than one hour to school and those travelling less than thirty minutes: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of evening tuition classes with bedtime after midnight among adolescents reporting persistent delayed sleep onset: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of religious or festival-related late-night activities with temporary alteration in sleep timing among adults with pre-existing circadian sleep-wake complaints: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep timing during major festival periods and ordinary weeks among young adults with persistent delayed sleep-wake patterns: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of early-morning agricultural work with shortened nighttime sleep among rural adults reporting persistent sleep-wake schedule disturbance: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of irregular work schedules in transport workers with daytime sleepiness during the preceding month among adults reporting persistent sleep-wake disturbance: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep duration between long-distance drivers working predominantly at night and those working predominantly during daytime: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of night driving frequency with near-miss road incidents during the preceding three months among commercial drivers reporting sleep-wake disturbance: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of baseline late-night screen use with persistence of delayed sleep timing after eight weeks of routine sleep-hygiene advice: a prospective observational study
Association of baseline weekday-weekend sleep timing difference with persistence of morning functional impairment after eight weeks of routine clinical care: a prospective observational study
Association of reduction in night-shift frequency occurring through routine duty scheduling with improvement in daytime sleep duration after eight weeks: a prospective observational study
Retrospective audit of shift-related sleep complaints among healthcare workers attending psychiatry services during the preceding two years according to occupation and duty pattern: a record-based study
Retrospective comparison of student presentations for delayed sleep timing during examination and non-examination months over the preceding two academic years: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of sleep-wake schedule complaints among commercial drivers referred to psychiatry or medicine during the preceding two years: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of documented sleep-hygiene counselling among patients presenting with circadian sleep-wake schedule complaints during the preceding year: a record-based study
Parasomnias and Sleep-Related Movement Complaints
Clinical profile of children meeting diagnostic criteria for sleepwalking according to age at onset, episode frequency, family history and injury during the preceding six months: a cross-sectional observational study
Association of sleep deprivation during the preceding week with increased sleepwalking episodes among children and adolescents meeting diagnostic criteria for sleepwalking: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of fever or acute illness with recent increase in sleepwalking episodes among children with established sleepwalking attending child psychiatry services: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of family history of sleepwalking with earlier age at onset among children and adolescents meeting diagnostic criteria for sleepwalking: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of injury occurrence during episodes between children with frequent and infrequent sleepwalking during the preceding six months: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of examination-related sleep restriction with sleepwalking frequency among school-going adolescents meeting diagnostic criteria for sleepwalking: a cross-sectional analytical study
Clinical profile of children meeting diagnostic criteria for sleep terrors according to age, episode timing, family history and caregiver response: a cross-sectional observational study
Association of irregular bedtime with frequency of sleep terrors during the preceding month among children meeting diagnostic criteria for sleep terror disorder: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of caregiver-reported sleep disruption between children with sleep terrors and children with sleepwalking attending the same child psychiatry service: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of parental attempts to awaken the child during sleep terror episodes with prolonged episode duration reported during the preceding month: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of family history of parasomnias with sleep terror occurrence before ten years of age among children attending child psychiatry services: a cross-sectional analytical study
Clinical profile of adults reporting recurrent nightmares according to trauma exposure, psychiatric diagnosis and frequency of daytime distress during the preceding month: a cross-sectional observational study
Association of trauma exposure with recurrent nightmares among adults attending psychiatry services with sleep-related complaints: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of nightmare frequency between adults with post-traumatic stress disorder and adults with major depressive disorder reporting recurrent distressing dreams: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of evening alcohol use with recurrent nightmares among adults receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder and reporting disturbed sleep: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of antidepressant medication use with vivid or disturbing dreams among adults receiving routine treatment for depressive or anxiety disorders: a cross-sectional analytical study
Clinical profile of adults reporting recurrent sleep paralysis according to age, sleep schedule, stress and episode frequency during the preceding six months: a cross-sectional observational study
Association of sleep deprivation during the preceding week with recurrent sleep paralysis episodes among college students reporting at least two episodes in six months: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of supine sleeping position with occurrence of recurrent sleep paralysis among young adults reporting repeated episodes during the preceding six months: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep paralysis frequency between students with regular and irregular sleep schedules during the preceding six months: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of examination stress with recurrent sleep paralysis among college students reporting repeated episodes during the current academic year: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of late-night smartphone use with recurrent sleep paralysis among young adults reporting at least two episodes during the preceding six months: a cross-sectional analytical study
Clinical profile of adults meeting clinical criteria for restless legs syndrome according to age, sex, pregnancy status, medical comorbidity and sleep disruption: a cross-sectional observational study
Association of iron-deficiency anaemia documented in routine laboratory records with frequency of restless legs symptoms among adults meeting clinical diagnostic criteria: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of restless legs symptoms between pregnant and non-pregnant reproductive-age women attending a teaching hospital with sleep-related complaints: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of chronic kidney disease with nighttime leg discomfort among adults meeting clinical criteria for restless legs syndrome: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of type two diabetes mellitus with frequency of restless legs symptoms among adults meeting clinical diagnostic criteria for restless legs syndrome: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of antidepressant medication exposure with restless legs symptoms among adults receiving routine psychiatric treatment and meeting clinical diagnostic criteria: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of caffeine consumption after evening with nighttime leg discomfort among adults meeting clinical criteria for restless legs syndrome: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep-onset difficulty between adults with restless legs syndrome and adults with insomnia disorder without restless legs symptoms: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of pregnancy trimester with frequency of restless legs symptoms among pregnant women meeting clinical diagnostic criteria: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of routine haemoglobin level with nighttime symptom frequency among women meeting clinical criteria for restless legs syndrome: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of baseline sleep deprivation with persistence of sleepwalking episodes after eight weeks of routine clinical advice among children with sleepwalking: a prospective observational study
Association of regular bedtime maintenance with reduction in sleep terror frequency after eight weeks among children receiving routine clinical management: a prospective observational study
Association of baseline irregular sleep timing with persistence of recurrent sleep paralysis at eight weeks among young adults receiving routine sleep-hygiene advice: a prospective observational study
Retrospective audit of parasomnia diagnoses in child psychiatry during the preceding two years according to sleepwalking, sleep terrors, nightmares and referral source: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of recurrent sleep paralysis presentations during the preceding two academic years according to age, sex and associated sleep deprivation: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of restless legs syndrome among adults attending psychiatry services during the preceding year according to pregnancy, medical comorbidity and medication exposure: a record-based study
Retrospective comparison of parasomnia presentations during examination and non-examination months among school and college students over the preceding two academic years: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of injuries associated with sleepwalking and sleep terrors documented among children attending a teaching hospital during the preceding two years: a record-based study
Sleep Problems in Medical Illness, Special Populations and Clinical Services
Prevalence of clinically significant insomnia and association with glycated haemoglobin among adults with type two diabetes mellitus attending a general medical outpatient department: a cross-sectional study
Association of nocturia frequency with sleep-maintenance difficulty among adults with type two diabetes mellitus and persistent insomnia symptoms during the preceding month: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep complaints between adults with controlled and uncontrolled type two diabetes mellitus based on routine glycated haemoglobin results: a comparative cross-sectional study
Prevalence of insomnia symptoms and association with seizure frequency during the preceding six months among adults with epilepsy attending a neurology outpatient department: a cross-sectional study
Association of nighttime seizure occurrence with next-day sleepiness among adults with epilepsy reporting sleep-related complaints: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep duration between adults with epilepsy receiving one antiseizure medication and those receiving two or more antiseizure medications: a comparative cross-sectional study
Prevalence of sleep disturbance and association with treatment adherence among adults receiving antitubercular therapy in a teaching hospital: a cross-sectional study
Association of nocturnal cough with sleep-maintenance difficulty among adults receiving treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis and reporting persistent sleep complaints: a cross-sectional analytical study
Prevalence of insomnia symptoms and association with antiretroviral treatment adherence among adults with human immunodeficiency virus infection attending routine care: a cross-sectional study
Association of stigma-related worry at bedtime with delayed sleep onset among adults receiving treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection: a cross-sectional analytical study
Prevalence of insomnia symptoms and association with nighttime breathlessness among adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attending respiratory medicine services: a cross-sectional study
Association of frequent rescue inhaler use at night with sleep interruption among adults with bronchial asthma reporting persistent sleep complaints: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep-maintenance difficulty between adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and adults with bronchial asthma attending the same teaching hospital: a comparative cross-sectional study
Prevalence of insomnia symptoms and association with headache days during the preceding month among adults with migraine attending neurology outpatient services: a cross-sectional study
Association of nighttime pain with reduced sleep duration among adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain attending orthopaedic or pain outpatient services: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep disturbance between adults with inflammatory joint disease and adults with non-inflammatory chronic musculoskeletal pain: a comparative cross-sectional study
Prevalence of sleep complaints and association with pruritus severity during the preceding week among adults with chronic dermatological disorders: a cross-sectional study
Association of nocturnal itching with sleep interruption among adults with psoriasis or eczema attending dermatology outpatient services: a cross-sectional analytical study
Prevalence of insomnia symptoms among adults with chronic kidney disease and association with dialysis versus non-dialysis treatment status: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of dialysis-day scheduling with nighttime sleep duration among adults receiving maintenance haemodialysis and reporting persistent sleep complaints: a cross-sectional analytical study
Prevalence of sleep disturbance during the third trimester and association with nocturia among pregnant women attending routine antenatal services: a cross-sectional study
Association of foetal-movement-related awakenings with daytime tiredness among women in the third trimester of pregnancy: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of sleep duration between first-time mothers and multiparous women during the third trimester of pregnancy: a comparative cross-sectional study
Prevalence of sleep disturbance within twelve weeks after childbirth and association with frequency of infant nighttime awakenings among postpartum women: a cross-sectional study
Association of breastfeeding during the night with fragmented maternal sleep among women within twelve weeks after childbirth: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of maternal sleep duration between postpartum women receiving regular nighttime family assistance and those without such assistance: a comparative cross-sectional study
Prevalence of sleep complaints among adults aged sixty years and older attending geriatric medicine services and association with multimorbidity burden: a cross-sectional study
Association of nocturia with nighttime awakenings among adults aged sixty years and older reporting persistent sleep complaints: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of daytime napping between older adults with and without persistent nighttime insomnia symptoms attending geriatric outpatient services: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of polypharmacy with daytime sleepiness among adults aged sixty years and older attending psychiatry or geriatric medicine services: a cross-sectional analytical study
Association of loud habitual snoring reported by family members with daytime sleepiness among overweight adults attending a general medical outpatient department: a cross-sectional analytical study
Comparison of hypertension prevalence between adults with habitual loud snoring and matched adults without habitual snoring attending a teaching hospital: a comparative cross-sectional study
Association of body mass index with family-reported witnessed breathing pauses during sleep among adults presenting with habitual snoring: a cross-sectional analytical study
Diagnostic accuracy of the Berlin Questionnaire against specialist clinical assessment for identifying adults at high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea in a general medical outpatient department: a cross-sectional study
Association of habitual snoring with morning headache among adults at high clinical risk of obstructive sleep apnoea attending medicine services: a cross-sectional analytical study
Retrospective audit of sleep-related complaints among consultation-liaison psychiatry referrals during the preceding year according to referring department, medical diagnosis and psychiatric diagnosis: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of sleep complaints documented among pregnant and postpartum women referred to psychiatry during the preceding two years according to trimester and psychiatric diagnosis: a record-based study
Retrospective comparison of sleep-related psychiatric referrals from neurology, respiratory medicine, general medicine and dermatology during the preceding year: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of sedative and hypnotic prescribing for medically ill adults with sleep complaints during the preceding year according to indication and duration documented: a record-based study
Retrospective audit of documented sleep-history assessment and sleep-hygiene counselling among adults presenting with sleep complaints to psychiatry services during the preceding twelve months: a record-based study
Not the psychiatry subspeciality you need? Sleep disorders is one section of our full psychiatry collection — the hub page lists every subspeciality, each with its own free topic list. Updated September 2026.
📌 Updated for 2026–2027 MD Psychiatry Sleep Disorders admissions
The page has been reviewed for realistic recruitment, clear sleep-diagnosis definitions, valid recall periods and outcomes that can be measured through routine psychiatry and medical services.
Most projects can be completed using structured sleep history, sleep diaries or validated questionnaires, caregiver reports and routine clinical information without specialised sleep-laboratory equipment.
Polysomnography, actigraphy and research-only investigations are not required for the majority of feasible topics; when objective testing is unavailable, the study should describe outcomes as self-reported or clinically assessed rather than laboratory-confirmed.
Publication potential is strongest when bedtime, sleep latency, awakenings, total sleep time, daytime impairment, psychiatric comorbidity and medication exposure are defined using fixed recall periods before analysis.
Generate a protocol from any topic above
Select Generate Protocol → beside any title in the list above and receive a submission-ready document built around that topic, containing all eighteen components:
Introduction / Synopsis
Research Question
Aim of the Study
Primary Objective
Secondary Objectives
Materials and Methods
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Sample Size Calculation
Methodology
Statistical Analysis
Ethical Considerations
Review of Literature
References
Gantt Chart / Study Timeline
Patient Information Sheet
Consent Form
Data Collection Form
Already have your thesis title?
Generate the full sleep disorders protocol directly — objectives, methodology, sample size, statistics, timeline, references and annexures.
Alongside sleep disorders protocols and synopses, support is also available for departmental presentations, journal club presentations, ethics committee presentations, and posters and oral presentations for medical conferences — for postgraduate residents, board trainees and research scholars across India and the GCC. Prepared by a practising doctor with long experience in medical publishing and thesis supervision.
The topics above work as research questions anywhere — what changes is the document the institution expects, and who approves it before data collection begins. The Gulf equivalent of an Indian synopsis is the sleep disorders research proposal submitted to an institutional review board, and it ordinarily carries three sections an Indian synopsis does not: a Gantt chart, a budget and resources section, and a Declaration of Helsinki statement.
Board and residency programmes — country by country
Saudi Arabia — SCFHS and the Saudi Board. Residency and fellowship training under the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties includes a research project with a set timeline, and the sleep disorders research proposal is the document prepared at the outset and cleared by the institutional review board before recruitment starts.
United Arab Emirates — DHA, DOH Abu Dhabi and MOHAP. Residents training in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates prepare a sleep disorders research protocol for their programme and submit it for institutional review board approval before any data are collected.
Qatar — DHP (formerly QCHP) and Hamad Medical Corporation. A sleep disorders IRB proposal is reviewed before recruitment, with the ethics section written to the institution's own template rather than a generic one.
Bahrain — NHRA. Trainees turning sleep disorders research topics into a project need the proposal cleared by their institutional research and ethics committee before fieldwork begins.
Oman — OMSB. Residency programmes under the Oman Medical Specialty Board include a research component, and the sleep disorders research proposal is the document assessed at the start of it.
Kuwait — KIMS. A sleep disorders study protocol goes to the institutional committee for approval before the project begins.
Arab Board programmes across the region. The Arab Board carries its own research requirement irrespective of the host country, and the sleep disorders proposal follows the same structure throughout.
Postgraduate degrees — Malaysia, the Gulf and beyond
Malaysia — MMed, the National Medical Research Register and MREC. A sleep disorders dissertation proposal for a Master of Medicine programme carried out in a Ministry of Health facility must be registered on the NMRR and approved by the Medical Research and Ethics Committee before the study begins, and the guidance asks for submission four to six months ahead of data collection. Every investigator on the study team registers on the NMRR as well, so the methodology, ethics and team sections are written in far more detail than an Indian synopsis requires.
PhD and Master's candidates elsewhere. University programmes generally require a full sleep disorders research proposal of roughly 6,000 to 10,000 words, with an extended literature review, a theoretical framework and a detailed methodology chapter.
PhD and MMed proposals are written individually by a medical doctor and revised until the supervisor accepts them. They are not produced by the automated protocol generator.
🔥 Trending research areas in Sleep Disorders for 2026–27
Digital behaviour and delayed sleep timing: late-night smartphone, gaming and social-media use provide feasible exposures for insomnia and circadian studies in adolescents and young adults.
Sleep disturbance across psychiatric diagnoses: depression, anxiety, psychosis, bipolar disorder and substance use permit clinically relevant comparisons when sleep symptoms are separated from formal sleep-disorder diagnoses.
Shift work and circadian disruption: healthcare workers, drivers and students provide accessible populations for research on irregular schedules, daytime sleepiness and functional impairment.
Sleep in medical and special populations: pregnancy, chronic pain, diabetes, epilepsy, chronic kidney disease and older age allow low-cost consultation-liaison research using routine clinical data.
Protocol and synopsis guidance
What a Sleep Disorders protocol must contain
Define whether the study concerns a sleep disorder or a sleep symptom. Difficulty initiating sleep, frequent awakenings, nightmares or daytime sleepiness can occur within depression, anxiety, pain, substance use, pregnancy or medical illness without constituting an independent sleep disorder. The protocol should state the diagnostic framework and clarify whether participants meet criteria for a sleep disorder or simply report a specified sleep complaint.
Specify how sleep is measured. Self-reported sleep latency, total sleep time and awakenings should be labelled as subjective measures unless an objective method such as actigraphy or polysomnography is actually used. The protocol should define the recall period, usual bedtime and wake time, weekday-weekend differences and whether information comes from the patient, caregiver or sleep diary.
Control major competing explanations. Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, medications, shift work, nocturia, pain, restless legs symptoms, mood disorder, anxiety disorder and environmental disturbance can all influence sleep. These factors should be measured consistently rather than discovered after the main analysis.
Sleep Disorders synopsis versus Sleep Disorders protocol
The synopsis states the sleep question and broad plan. It should identify the sleep disorder or symptom, study population, principal exposure or outcome, diagnostic framework, study design and main measurement method. For circadian studies, usual sleep timing and work or school schedule should already be part of the proposal.
The protocol must operationalise sleep variables. It should define sleep-onset latency, sleep-maintenance difficulty, early-morning awakening, total sleep time, daytime impairment, nap duration, shift pattern and circadian timing using fixed rules. If a questionnaire is used, the exact version, language and scoring method should be stated.
Avoid diagnostic substitution. Loud snoring, witnessed pauses or a high-risk questionnaire score should not be labelled as confirmed obstructive sleep apnoea without an appropriate reference standard. Similarly, self-reported leg discomfort should not be equated with restless legs syndrome unless the stated clinical criteria are met.
Sample size and statistical analysis
The patient is usually the unit of analysis. Repeated nights, sleep-diary entries, parasomnia episodes or awakenings from the same person are correlated observations and should not automatically be counted as independent participants. If night-level data are analysed, the statistical method should account for repeated measures within individuals.
Match analysis to the sleep outcome. Sleep duration and latency may be continuous but are often skewed, parasomnia frequency may be count data, and insomnia diagnosis or follow-up attendance may be binary. Prospective baseline and follow-up measures require paired or repeated-measures methods rather than independent-group tests.
Adjust for confounding where necessary. Age, sex, psychiatric diagnosis, medication exposure, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, shift work, chronic pain and medical comorbidity can influence both the exposure and sleep outcome. Regression is often preferable to simple two-group comparisons when the objective is analytical.
1. How do I choose a feasible Sleep Disorders thesis topic?
For 2026–2027 admissions, choose a sleep complaint or sleep-disorder population seen regularly in psychiatry, medicine, neurology, obstetrics or child psychiatry and an outcome measurable through routine care. Insomnia, delayed sleep timing, parasomnia frequency, daytime sleepiness, shift-related sleep disturbance and sleep complaints in medical illness are usually feasible when the diagnostic definition and recall period are fixed in advance.
2. Which study designs are accepted for Sleep Disorders research?
Cross-sectional observational and analytical studies, comparative studies, prospective observational follow-up and retrospective record-based audits are all suitable when aligned with the objective. Prospective designs are particularly useful for sleep timing, persistence of insomnia and change after routine care, while service-use and prescribing questions may suit record audits.
3. What should I settle with my guide before finalising the topic?
Settle whether the project studies a formal sleep disorder or a sleep symptom, the diagnostic framework, recall period, sleep measurement method, psychiatric and medical comorbidities, medication exposure and main outcome. For shift-work or circadian projects, also define work schedule, duty pattern, weekday-weekend timing and how naps will be handled.
4. When is polysomnography or actigraphy necessary in a Sleep Disorders thesis?
Objective testing is necessary only when the research question depends on an objectively measured sleep parameter or when a diagnostic reference standard requires it. Many psychiatry theses can validly study self-reported insomnia, sleep timing, daytime impairment, parasomnia history or high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea without laboratory testing, provided the outcome is labelled accurately. A questionnaire identifying high risk should not be presented as polysomnography-confirmed disease.
5. What is the difference between a synopsis and a protocol for these topics?
The synopsis is the concise academic proposal submitted for approval, whereas the protocol is the detailed operational document used to collect sleep data consistently. Sleep-disorder protocols require explicit definitions for diagnostic status, bedtime, wake time, sleep latency, awakenings, total sleep time, daytime impairment, naps, shift schedule, medication exposure and the source of sleep information.
6. What are the main ethics issues in Sleep Disorders research?
Most observational sleep studies involve low physical risk, but severe sleepiness, suicidal thoughts, substance use or suspected sleep-related breathing disorder may identify a participant who requires clinical assessment. The protocol should therefore include a pathway for clinically important incidental findings rather than treating them as research data only. For minors, guardian consent and developmentally appropriate assent from about seven years should be obtained where applicable.
Eligible retrospective record-based work may receive a consent waiver after ethics approval and appropriate anonymisation. Research should not add unnecessary radiation, contrast or research-only venepuncture; if blood sampling is genuinely required, an appropriate blood-volume limit should be stated. Separate consent is required for identifiable photographs, audio or video, including recordings of parasomnia episodes supplied for research.
7. Why should self-reported sleep not be treated as equivalent to objective sleep measurement?
Patients estimate sleep onset, awakenings and total sleep time from memory, and these estimates can be influenced by insomnia severity, anxiety, mood and attention to nighttime wakefulness. Self-report remains clinically useful, but it measures perceived sleep rather than the same construct captured by actigraphy or polysomnography.
The distinction becomes particularly important when comparing groups or validating a screening tool. A study using only subjective sleep duration should describe the outcome as self-reported sleep duration, while diagnostic-accuracy research should state the independent reference standard used to determine whether the target disorder is actually present.
8. Can these topics be used for PhD proposals or board research projects outside the Indian MD pathway?
Yes, but the depth and technical requirements may differ. A PhD proposal generally requires a broader conceptual framework, more extensive longitudinal work or objective sleep measurement than a typical MD synopsis. Focused sleep questions can also be adapted to mandatory research-project or proposal requirements used by SCFHS and the Saudi Board, the Arab Board of Health Specializations, and DHP, DHA, DOH and MOHAP-linked training programmes, subject to local supervision, ethics and available sleep-assessment facilities.
9. When should I register a Sleep Disorders thesis protocol?
Registration should occur after the guide has approved the sleep diagnosis or symptom definition, variables, measurement method and recruitment source but before prospective enrolment or research data collection begins. Ethics and institutional or university registration should follow the local sequence. Retrospective studies should define the record period and extraction framework before reviewing the dataset.
Found a topic that fits your department?
Generate its full protocol — objectives, methodology, sample size, statistics, timeline, references and annexures — in editable format.
