NCT05010824

A Brief Parent-based Sleep Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Effects of Parent-based Educational Programme for Sleep Problems in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 75 (actual)
• Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 3 Years – 6 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Sleep problems are very common in children with ASD, with a prevalence rate as high as 78%, and often pose significant challenges and stress to the families. Sleep problems in children with ASD are strongly associated with the exacerbation of daytime symptoms, and poor parental sleep quality and mental health. The present study is a randomised controlled trial to compare the effects of a parent-based sleep intervention for children with ASD (aged 3-6). Eligible participants will be randomised to either intervention (three consultation sessions and four follow-up phone calls) or waiting-list control condition. Assessments will be conducted at pre-treatment (baseline), and one-week after the intervention (post-treatment).

Conditions

• ASD
• Insomnia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Sleep hygiene practices and behavioural intervention	The first session will involve the provision of sleep-related psycho-education (e.g. sleep hygiene practices) and specific strategies to tackle problematic sleep-related behaviours, as well as collaborative goal setting and development of management plan tailored to the child's sleep problem. The second and third session will involve a review of the sleep diary and a reinforcement of learned strategies, and focus on problem-solving to tackle any issues that have emerged from implementing the behavioural strategies at home. Follow-up phone calls provide parents with an opportunity to ask any further questions and to consolidate learned strategies and further troubleshoot.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-08-05
• Primary completion: 2022-12-31
• Completion: 2022-12-31
• First posted: 2021-08-18
• Last updated: 2023-09-21

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Hong Kong