Background Sleep problems are common in bipolar disorders (BDs). To objectively characterize these problems in BDs, further methodological development is needed to capture subjective insomnia. Aim To test psychometric properties of the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and associations with actigraphy‐derived measures, applying modifications in actigraphy data processing to capture features of perturbed sleep in patients with a BD. Methods Seventy‐four patients completed the AIS and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, self‐report (QIDS‐SR‐16). Locomotor activity was continuously recorded by wrist actigraphy for ≥10 consecutive days. We computed the sleep onset/offset, the center of daily inactivity (CenDI), as a proxy for chronotype, and the degree of consolidation of daily inactivity (ConDI), as a proxy for sleep‐wake rhythm strength. Results AIS showed good psychometric properties (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84; test–retest correlation = 0.84, P<.001). Subjective sleep problems correlated moderately with a later sleep phase (CenDI with AIS rho = 0.34, P = .003), lower consolidation (ConDI with AIS rho = −0.22, P = .05; with QIDS‐SR‐16 rho = −0.27, P = .019), later timing of sleep offset (with AIS rho = 0.49, P = ≤.001, with QIDS‐SR‐16 rho = 0.36, P = .002), and longer total sleep (with AIS rho = 0.29, P = .012, with QIDS‐SR‐16 rho = 0.41, P = ≤.001). While AIS was psychometrically more solid, correlations with objective sleep were more consistent across time for QIDS‐SR‐16. Conclusions AIS and QIDS‐SR‐16 are suitable for clinical screening of sleep problems among patients with a BD. Subjective insomnia associated with objective measures. For clinical and research purposes, actigraphy and data visualization on inactograms are useful for accurate longitudinal characterization of sleep patterns.

Introduction: Social-distancing due to COVID-19 has led to social isolation, stress, and mental health issues in older adults, while overwhelming healthcare systems worldwide. Telehealth involving phone calls by trained volunteers is understudied and may be a low-cost, scalable, and valuable preventive tool for mental health. In this context, from patient participatory volunteer initiatives, we have adapted and developed an innovative volunteer-based telehealth intervention program for older adults (TIP-OA).Methods and analysis: To evaluate TIP-OA, we are conducting a mixed-methods longitudinal observational study.Participants: TIP-OA clients are older adults (age ≥ 60) recruited in Montreal, Quebec.Intervention: TIP-OA volunteers make weekly friendly phone calls to seniors to check in, form connections, provide information about COVID-19, and connect clients to community resources as needed.Measurements: Perceived stress, fear surrounding COVID-19, depression, and anxiety will be assessed at baseline, and at 4- and 8-weeks. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups will be conducted to assess the experiences of clients, volunteers, and stakeholders.Results: As of October 15th, 2020, 150 volunteers have been trained to provide TIP-OA to 305 older clients. We will consecutively select 200 clients receiving TIP-OA for quantitative data collection, plus 16 volunteers and 8 clinicians for focus groups, and 15 volunteers, 10 stakeholders, and 25 clients for semi-structured interviews.Discussion: During COVID-19, healthcare professionals' decreased availability and increased needs related to geriatric mental health are expected. If successful and scalable, volunteer-based TIP-OA may help prevent and improve mental health concerns, improve community participation, and decrease healthcare utilization.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04523610; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04523610?term=NCT04523610&amp;draw=2&amp;rank=1