INSOMNIACS have long turned to counting sheep and glasses of warm milk when in search of a restful night.

But now a team from the University of Lincoln hope that Facebook and other social networking websites may hold the key to soothing slumber.

Research assistant Jo Middlemass said the first phase of the study could see insomniacs asked to join focus groups or take part in hour-long interviews.

This would gauge their views on the potential benefits or pitfalls of sharing health information and advice with other sufferers online.

Ms Middlemass said: "At the University of Lincoln we are undertaking a study about insomnia and the use of computerised cognitive behavioural therapy programmes.

"We want to see if these programmes could be improved by the inclusion of social networking sites such as Facebook or other on-line applications, where sufferers could share their sleep progress.

"The first phase of the study would involve obtaining views from insomnia sufferers – as well as views from health professionals – on a range of issues.

"We want to find out what people think about the acceptability, advantages and disadvantages of sharing health information and advice with other sufferers through social networking sites.

"Volunteers who suffer from insomnia or sleep problems will be asked to join focus groups or one-to-one interviews lasting about one hour.

"The information from the focus groups and interviews would then be analysed.

"And those who take part will know they are directly influencing the development of the new computerised cognitive behavioural therapy programme which is due to begin in mid-2011."

The study, which is currently awaiting approval in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire before volunteers can be asked to take part, would be overseen by Professor Niro Siriwardena, of the School Of Health And Social Care.

It would form part of the wider ENACT project, which is running out of the university's School Of Computing Science, with help from staff at Loughborough University and the University of Sussex.

In July, the department received a £500,000 grant from the Engineering And Physical Sciences Research Council for research into CCBT using social network like websites.

Information about when and how to apply to take part in the insomnia study will be printed in the Echo when it becomes available.