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Published on: October 4, 2018
Comparative efficacy and acceptability of sleep interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum
Masatsugu Sakata1,2,3, Edoardo G Ostinelli4,5,6, Ryuichiro Yamamoto7
1Department of Neurodevelopmental Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan. m.sakata@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp.
Insights
This study compares sleep interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A network meta-analysis will determine the most effective treatments for improving sleep in ASD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Sleep problems are common in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Existing interventions show promise, but their comparative effectiveness is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare the efficacy of pharmacological, psychological, and physical interventions for sleep issues in children with ASD.
- To provide evidence-based guidance for selecting optimal sleep treatments.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare diverse interventions.
- Assessment of risk of bias using RoB 2.0 and ROB-MEN tools.
Main Results:
- Primary outcome: sleep onset latency.
- Secondary outcomes: other sleep variables, dropouts, and sleep disturbances.
- Confidence in NMA assessed using CINeMA.
Conclusions:
- The NMA will offer crucial insights into effective sleep interventions for ASD.
- Findings will aid clinicians, children with ASD, and caregivers in treatment decisions.
- Improved sleep quality can enhance the overall quality of life for children with ASD and their families.
Background:
Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience sleep problems. Although various pharmacological, behavioral, and physical interventions have demonstrated efficacy in improving sleep among children with ASD, the relative effectiveness of these interventions remains unclear.
Methods:
We will conduct a systematic literature search to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological (e.g., melatonin), psychological (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy), and physical (e.g., bright light therapy) interventions for sleep problems in children with ASD. We will search PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, major trial registries, and regulatory agency websites. We will assess the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2.0) tool for primary outcome and the Risk Of Bias due to Missing Evidence in Network meta-analysis (ROB-MEN) tool for the bias due to missing network evidence. A network meta-analysis (NMA) will be performed to compare the included interventions. The primary outcome will be sleep onset latency, while secondary outcomes will include other sleep variables, all-cause dropouts, and sleep disturbances assessed using standardized measures. We will assess confidence in NMA(CINeMA).
Discussion:
Our NMA aims to provide evidence-based insights into the effectiveness of sleep interventions for clinicians, children with ASD, and their caregivers. This information will help guide treatment decisions and improve the quality of life for children with ASD and their families.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO CRD42024592795.
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