An Interactive Smartphone App, Nenne Navi, for Improving Children's Sleep: Pilot Usability Study.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Sleep Medicine
• Digital Health Interventions
• Child Development

Background:

• Healthy sleep is crucial for children's physical health and brain development.
• Japanese children often experience shorter sleep durations and later bedtimes compared to international standards.
• A culturally relevant intervention tool is needed to address pediatric sleep issues in Japan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a smartphone application for improving children's sleep health literacy and parenting behaviors.
• To assess the acceptability and usability of a novel app facilitating interaction between caregivers and pediatric sleep experts.

Main Methods:

• A preliminary study involved 10 Japanese caregivers and their infants (18-28 months).
• Participants used a smartphone app for e-learning on sleep health, recorded sleep data, and received expert advice.
• Actigraphy objectively monitored children's sleep, with data compared to caregiver reports. Acceptability and usability were assessed via questionnaires and interviews.

Main Results:

• Caregiver reports showed significant differences from actigraphy data for nighttime sleep duration and awakenings.
• No significant differences were found between caregiver reports and actigraphy for bedtimes and wake-up times.
• The app was rated as easy to understand, use, and operate by most caregivers, indicating good acceptability and usability.

Conclusions:

• The developed smartphone app is acceptable and usable for Japanese caregivers.
• The app demonstrates potential for improving children's sleep habits through personalized advice.
• Further research is required to confirm the app's efficacy and support its broader implementation.