Sleep Deprivation
Conditions
Keywords
primary school children, nap, sleep deprivation
Brief summary
Previous studies showed that insufficient sleep has a negative impact on children's physical and psychological health. Napping was found to decrease sleepiness and improve daytime functioning in adults and adolescents. The effects of napping on children, however, is unknown. The current study aims to test the effects of short daytime classroom naps on daytime functioning and behaviour in elementary school children.
Detailed description
This study is an interventional study testing the effects of short daytime nap on children's cognitive functioning and daytime behaviour. Primary school children will be randomised to either experimental (nap) or control group (no nap) by class. Measurements include parent-report questionnaires, children's self-report questionnaires, and cognitive tasks.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALNap
Participants will be given 20-min nap opportunity in the classroom on a daily basis during school-days.
Sponsors
Chinese University of Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Assessors who are responsible for conducting the cognitive tests are blinded to the group allocation.
Intervention model description
Experimental group (with daytime classroom nap) versus control group (without nap)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
5 Years to 15 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Children from grade 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6
Exclusion criteria
* Children ages 4 or younger, ages 15 or older
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in objectively measured cognitive performance (sustained attention) | Day 1 (before napping), Day 1 (after napping), two weeks and two months after intervention | Reaction time (ms) in psychomotor vigilance task |
| Change in objectively measured cognitive performance (inhibitory control) | Day 1 (before napping), Day 1 (after napping), two weeks and two months after intervention | false alarm rate (%) in Go-no go task |
| Change in objectively measured cognitive performance (working memory) | Day 1 (before napping), Day 1 (after napping), two weeks and two months after intervention | reaction time (ms) in match to sample task |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in daytime sleepiness | Day 1 (before napping), Day 1 (after napping), two weeks and two months after intervention | Daytime sleepiness as measured by Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS). Higher scores suggest more sleepiness. |
| Change in daytime behaviour (emotional & behavioural problems) | Day 1 (before napping), Day 1 (after napping), two weeks and two months after intervention | Daytime behaviors as measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ). Higher scores suggest more emotional and behavioural problems. |
| Change in daytime behaviour (ADHD symptoms) | Day 1 (before napping), Day 1 (after napping), two weeks and two months after intervention | Strengths and Weakness of Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity-symptoms and Normal-behaviors (SWAN). Higher scores suggest more severe ADHD symptoms |
Countries
Hong Kong
Outcome results
None listed