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Bedtime fading in the treatment of pediatric insomnia
1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Insights
This study regulated pediatric sleep-wake cycles by first delaying bedtimes to improve sleep onset, then using a fading procedure to advance bedtimes and increase sleep duration. This method proved effective for children with severe sleep problems.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Behavioral Sleep Therapy
Background:
- Severe sleep problems in children often resist conventional treatments.
- Effective regulation of sleep-wake cycles is crucial for child development and well-being.
Abstract:
In this paper, the sleep-wake cycles of two children with severe sleep problems were regulated by delaying bedtimes, thus increasing the probability of short latency to sleep onset. A fading procedure was then utilized to advance the bedtimes and gradually increase duration of sleep. Several treatments had previously been attempted with both of these patients without success. The advantages of this treatment over other interventions for pediatric sleep disorders are discussed.