Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Capturing Infant-Caregiver Interactions Through Synchronized Multimodal Data Collection
Published on: May 31, 2024
Treating preschooler behavioural sleep problems via parent-mediated telehealth: A randomized controlled trial
Amy Shiels1, Lara J Farrell1,2, Caroline L Donovan1,2
1School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Queensland, Australia.
Insights
A telehealth behavioral sleep intervention significantly reduced sleep problems, nighttime fears, and anxiety in preschoolers. This convenient videoconference approach was highly rated by parents and showed lasting effects.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Sleep Medicine
- Telehealth Interventions
Background:
- Behavioral sleep problems are common in preschoolers (ages 3-5 years).
- These issues are linked to significant short- and long-term negative consequences, including anxiety.
- Effective interventions are needed to address these prevalent challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a parent-focused behavioral sleep intervention for 3-5-year-old children.
- The intervention was delivered via telehealth (synchronous videoconference).
- Key outcomes included improvements in child sleep, nighttime fears, and anxiety.
Main Methods:
- Parents of 3-5-year-olds were randomized to either the Lights Out Videoconference (LOV) or care-as-usual (CAU) groups.
- Data on child sleep problems, anxiety, and nighttime fears were collected at pre-treatment, 2 weeks post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up.
- Parental treatment satisfaction was also assessed.
Main Results:
- The LOV group showed significantly greater reductions in sleep problems, anxiety, and nighttime fears compared to the CAU group.
- These positive effects were maintained at the 3-month follow-up.
- Parents reported very high satisfaction with the program, its resources, and the telehealth delivery method.
Conclusions:
- A brief, telehealth-delivered behavioral sleep intervention is acceptable and effective for young children.
- This videoconference approach offers a convenient alternative to in-person treatments.
- The intervention positively impacts sleep, nighttime fears, and broader anxiety concerns.
Objectives:
Behavioural sleep problems in the preschool developmental period (ages 3-5 years) are highly prevalent and associated with a myriad of deleterious consequences including anxiety, in the short- and long-term. This study examined a parent-focused behavioural sleep intervention for children aged from 3 to 5 years, delivered individually via three × fortnightly 90-min telehealth (synchronous videoconference) sessions, in terms of its ability to improve child sleep, nighttime fears and anxiety.
Methods:
Parents of children aged 3 to 5 years (M = 3.57; SD = .56) were randomly allocated to either the Lights Out Videoconference (LOV) or care-as-usual (CAU) conditions and completed measures of child sleep problems, anxiety and nighttime fears at pre-treatment (T1), two weeks post-treatment (T2) and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Parents also completed a measure of treatment satisfaction.
Results:
Compared with the CAU condition (n = 16), children whose parents participated in the LOV condition (n = 19) reported a significantly greater reduction in sleep problems, anxiety and nighttime fears from T1 to T2, with treatment effects being maintained at T3. Treatment satisfaction of both the programme, resources and mode of delivery was very high.
Conclusions:
A brief, behavioural sleep intervention delivered via videoconferencing for young children is acceptable to parents and represents an efficacious and convenient alternative to face-to-face treatment for sleep that has secondary effects on nighttime fears and broader anxiety issues. Universal Trial Number (UTN): U1111-1264-8191. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR): 12621000466842 retrospective. The trial was registered retrospectively as the application for registration was submitted after the first participant was registered for the programme. This was a clerical oversite of the authors as to the timing of registration submission. The sleep diaries included in the registration of the trial were not analysed due to significant missing data in the CAU condition. Additionally, some of the secondary outcomes in the trial registry will be published in a separate, paper, which focuses on parents' impressions of the programme and parenting factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:15REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...