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A systematic review of treatment of settling problems and night waking in young children

Ramchandani1, Webb, Stores

  • 1University of Oxford Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Park Hospital for Children Headington, Oxford. Willen Hospice Milton Rd Willen Village Milton Keynes, England. University of Oxford Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Park Hospit.

The Western Journal of Medicine
|July 21, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Behavioral interventions effectively treat childhood settling and night waking problems long-term, unlike short-term drug efficacy. These behavioral approaches offer lasting benefits for children and families facing sleep disturbances.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Settling problems and night waking are common in young children.
  • These sleep issues can significantly impact child development and family well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review randomized controlled trials evaluating treatments for settling problems and night waking in children aged 5 years or younger.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
  • Searches of electronic databases, reference lists, hand searches, and expert contact.
  • Inclusion of drug and non-drug interventions with appropriate comparisons.

Main Results:

  • Short-term efficacy of drugs for night waking, but long-term effectiveness is uncertain.
  • Behavioral interventions demonstrate short-term efficacy and potential long-term benefits for settling and waking issues.
  • Key outcomes measured included number of night wakings, time to settle, and frequency of problems.

Conclusions:

  • Behavioral interventions are more appealing due to their potential for long-lasting effects.
  • Given the prevalence and persistence of childhood sleep problems, behavioral strategies are recommended for sustained improvement.

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