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REVIEW ARTICLE: Behavioural and cognitive-behavioural interventions for sleep disorders in infants and children: A

Laurence J Owens1, Karyn G France, Luci Wiggs

  • 1Education Department, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa/New Zealand

Sleep Medicine Reviews
|January 18, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral interventions show short-term effectiveness for infant and child sleep disturbances, including dyssomnias and parasomnias. Further research is needed to fully understand their long-term impact and efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Child Psychology
  • Behavioral Therapy

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are common in infants and children, affecting development and family well-being.
  • Dyssomnias (e.g., difficulty sleeping) and parasomnias (e.g., sleepwalking) are prevalent pediatric sleep issues.
  • Existing literature on treatment efficacy requires synthesis and critical evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatments for sleep problems in children.
  • To examine interventions for dyssomnias and parasomnias across different age groups (infants to school-age).
  • To assess the effectiveness of interventions targeting infant sleep patterns for prevention.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of controlled experimental studies.
  • Inclusion of case studies and clinical reports for comprehensive analysis.
  • Focus on behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment modalities.

Main Results:

  • Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral interventions demonstrate short-term effectiveness for certain infant and child sleep problems.
  • Positive outcomes are observed for families actively engaged in these therapeutic approaches.
  • Efficacy varies depending on the specific sleep disorder and age group.

Conclusions:

  • Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapies offer a viable treatment option for pediatric sleep disturbances.
  • Current research provides preliminary evidence of effectiveness, particularly in the short term.
  • Further rigorous research is recommended to establish long-term efficacy and optimize treatment strategies.

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