title: A brief sleep intervention improves outcomes in the school entry year: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility of screening for child sleep problems and the efficacy of a behavioral sleep intervention in improving child and parent outcomes in the first year of schooling.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial was nested in a population survey performed at 22 elementary schools in Melbourne, Australia. Intervention involved 2 to 3 consultations that covered behavioral sleep strategies for children whose screening results were positive for a moderate/severe sleep problem. Outcomes were parent-reported child sleep problem (primary outcome), sleep habits, psychosocial health-related quality of life, behavior, and parent mental health (all at 3, 6, and 12 months) and blinded, face-to-face learning assessment (at 6 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The screening survey was completed by 1512 parents; 161 (10.8%) reported a moderate/severe child sleep problem, and 108 of 136 (79.2% of those eligible) entered the trial. Sleep problems tended to resolve more rapidly in intervention children. Sleep problems affected 33% of 54 intervention children versus 43% of 54 control children at 3 months (P = .3), 25.5% vs 46.8% at 6 months (P = .03), and 32% vs 33% at 12 months (P = .8). Sustained sleep-habit improvements were evident at 3, 6, and 12 months (effect sizes: 0.33 [P = .03]; 0.51 [P = .003]; and 0.40 [P = .02]; respectively), and there were initial marked improvements in psychosocial scores that diminished over time (effect sizes: 0.47 [P = .02]; 0.41 [P = .09]; and 0.26 [P = .3]; respectively). Better prosocial behavior was evident at 12 months (effect size: 0.35; P = .03), and learning and parent outcomes were similar between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  School-based screening for sleep problems followed by a targeted, brief behavioral sleep intervention is feasible and has benefits relevant to school transition.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. jon.quach@mcri.edu.au.
authors: Jon
authors: J
authors: Quach
authors: Harriet
authors: H
authors: Hiscock
authors: Obioha Chukwunyere
authors: OC
authors: Ukoumunne
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Wake
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012572:School Health Services; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome