Treating preschooler behavioural sleep problems via parent-mediated telehealth: A randomized controlled trial.
Amy Shiels, Lara J Farrell, Caroline L Donovan
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated a parent-mediated behavioural sleep intervention delivered through three fortnightly 90-minute videoconference sessions for children aged 3–5 years. Parents were allocated to Lights Out Videoconference (LOV; n=19) or care as usual (CAU; n=16), with child sleep problems, anxiety and nighttime fears assessed before treatment, two weeks afterward and at three-month follow-up. Compared with CAU, LOV was associated with significantly greater reductions in all three outcomes from baseline to post-treatment, and these effects were maintained at follow-up. Parent satisfaction with the programme, resources and delivery was very high.
Key findings
- Compared with care as usual (n=16), LOV (n=19) produced significantly greater reductions in child sleep problems, anxiety and nighttime fears from baseline to post-treatment.
- Improvements in sleep problems, anxiety and nighttime fears were maintained at the three-month follow-up.
- Parent satisfaction with the intervention, its resources and videoconference delivery was very high.
Why it matters
Behavioural sleep difficulties in preschool children can coincide with nighttime fears and anxiety. This small randomized trial suggests that a brief, parent-focused intervention delivered remotely may improve these related outcomes, with benefits persisting to three months. The findings add evidence that synchronous telehealth can be an acceptable way to deliver behavioural sleep support to families of young children.
What to keep in mind
The trial was small, with 35 children across both groups. Sleep diary data were not analysed because of substantial missing data in the care-as-usual group, and trial registration was retrospective.