Dr Megan Crawford

My research focuses on optimising non-pharmacological treatment approaches for insomnia such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Improving patient adherence, treatment generalisability and treatment availability are the cornerstones of this research. My last grant was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an online CBT intervention for females with insomnia and chronic migraines.

  • BSc, Psychology, Surrey University
  • PhD, Behavioural Sleep Medicine, Glasgow University and Sydney University (joint PhD)

Areas of Expertise

  • Behavioural Sleep Medicine
  • Insomnia
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Patient adherence
  • Health Psychology

Publications

  1. & (in press). Characterization of Patients who Present with Insomnia: Is there Room for a Symptom Cluster-Based Approach?. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
  2. & (2016). An Adaptive Treatment to Improve Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Adherence in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Proof of Concept Trial. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 1-16.
  3. & (2016). Understanding eCBT-I – Knowing is half the battle. Sleep Medicine Reviews 30, 83-84.
  4. & (2017). Behavioral Sleep Medicine Services for Hypersomnia Disorders: A Survey Study. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 15(2), 158-171.
  5. & (2016). Evaluating the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea comorbid with insomnia disorder using an incomplete factorial design. Contemporary Clinical Trials 47, 146-152.

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Teaching

  • PS-100 Academic and Professional Development

    This module provides psychology students with the key skills that are required to succeed in degree level study in the discipline of psychology and beyond university as a graduate. There is an emphasis on building the skills necessary for independent study, such as time management, critical thinking and incorporating using feedback to improve academic performance. In the first half of the module, students will experience how and when to use a tool kit of study skills through a series of workshops and blended learning packs. Students will create a portfolio of reflections on their experience of making the transition to university study during the first year. In addition personal development planning is an important aspect of the module in order to record and further develop the skills needed for graduate employment. As part of the module students enrol in the Swansea Employability Award (SEA) and complete the bronze level (the Know Yourself module) by the end of Semester 2.

  • PSY301 Management of sleep disorders using psychological techniques

    Sleep disorders are very prevalent and pose a significant burden on public health. Sleep is a multidisciplinary field, and the role of the psychologist is to 1) provide evidence-based psychosocial treatments for common sleep disorders 2) provide support for the successful implementation of medical devices or pharmacological treatments for medical sleep disorders 3) educate practitioners as well as the public on good sleep health 4) inform public health policy. In this module students will learn about evidence-based non-pharmacological treatments of disorders of sleep and wakefulness, including insomnia, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm disorders and paediatric sleep disorders. In addition, students will be provided with information about treatment implementation challenges (e.g., positive airway pressure for sleep apnoea, medication for hypersomnia) and effective interventions to increase treatment adherence. The landscape of health and public health policy is changing, and improving sleep health has a prominent role in achieving society¿s healthcare goals. In this module, students will learn the psychologist¿s role in utilising our knowledge about sleep and sleep disorders to inform health policies, school policies (e.g., school start times) and the public of the importance of optimal sleep health. This module will complement the sleep and dreaming module which outlines the psychology of dreaming and functions of sleep.

Supervision

  • IPad based and computer investigation of Visual Attention-related function in Vascular Cognitive Impairment (current)

    Student name:
    PhD
    Other supervisor: Dr Jeremy Tree
    Other supervisor: Dr Sarah Hillcoat-Nalletamby
    Other supervisor: Prof Andrea Tales

  • Information processing speed in Ageing: Is it task dependent? (awarded 2018)

    Student name:
    PhD
    Other supervisor: Dr Jeremy Tree
    Other supervisor: Dr Cristina Izura
    Other supervisor: Prof Andrea Tales

Career History

Start Date End Date Position Held Location
2015 2016 Assistant Professor Rush University Medical Center (USA)
2012 2015 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Rush University Medical Center (USA)
2008 2012 Doctoral Research Student University of Glasgow

Key Grants and Projects

Research Groups

  • Sleep Lab

    The Swansea University Sleep Laboratory investigates sleep, sleep disorders, dreaming, and what happens when people are deprived of sleep. Undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Department of Psychology are involved in this work

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Member - Student employability committee

    2016 - Present

  • Writing Group Lead - CHHS Peer Academic Writing Support Group

    2016 - Present

  • Member - Health and wellbeing research committee

    2016 - Present

Calling from outside the UK?

+44 1792 513176