title: Can a school-based sleep education programme improve sleep knowledge, hygiene and behaviours using a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated the effectiveness of a school-based sleep education programme in improving key sleep behaviours, sleep knowledge, and sleep hygiene.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional cluster-randomised controlled trial with two groups (Intervention and Control) and three assessment time points [baseline, immediately post intervention (6 weeks post baseline) and follow-up (18 weeks post baseline)] was employed. A total of 296 students (mean age = 12.2 ± 0.6 years; 59% female) from 12 schools in Adelaide, South Australia, were recruited, with 149 participants in the Intervention group and 147 in the Control group. The intervention consisted of four classroom lessons delivered at weekly intervals, followed by a group project on sleep topics, which students presented at a parental information evening. Sleep patterns were assessed objectively (actigraphy, n = 175) and subjectively (time-use recall, n = 251) at three time points. Sleep knowledge and sleep hygiene (n = 296) were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Generalised estimating equations were used to compare changes in the Intervention and Control groups. The programme increased time in bed by 10 min (p = 0.03) for the Intervention group relative to the Control group, due to a 10-min delay in wake time (p = 0.00). These changes were not sustained at follow-up. There was no impact on sleep knowledge or sleep hygiene.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Investment in the sleep health of youth through sleep education is important but changes to sleep patterns are difficult to achieve. More intensive programmes, programmes with a different focus or programmes targeting different age groups may be more effective.
authors.affiliation: University of South Australia, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute for Health Research, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: rigga001@mymail.unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rigney
authors.affiliation: Central Queensland University, Appleton Institute, PO Box 42, Goodwood, SA 5034, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blunden
authors.affiliation: University of South Australia, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute for Health Research, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.affiliation: University of South Australia, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute for Health Research, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dollman
authors.affiliation: Center for Work+Life, University of South Australia, Magill, SA 5072, Australia.
authors.forename: Somayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parvazian
authors.affiliation: University of South Australia, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute for Health Research, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matricciani
authors.affiliation: University of South Australia, Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute for Health Research, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olds
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D012890:Sleep; D013021:South Australia
keywords: Actigraphy; Behaviour change; Sleep education; Sleep knowledge