Sleep Education Improves the Sleep Duration of Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 793.

Lessons Learned from Sleep Education in Schools: A Review of Dos and Don'ts

“…Although all studies reported delivering at least basic knowledge about sleep physiology and/or sleep hygiene, the scope and aims of the programs fell into one of two groups; those who sought solely to disseminate information and improve sleep knowledge, 21,[23][24][25] and those who sought to actively change sleep behavior. [17][18][19][20]22,[26][27][28] Seven themes that were identified from the studies are listed below in no particular order:…”

“…There are currently only 12 [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] worldwide published studies of sleep education programs focussed on adolescents (with one in press 30 ) that describe their education programs in suffi cient detail for scrutiny. Many factors may contribute to a successful sleep education program, so it is important to understand what these may be in order to optimize efficacy in future sleep education programs.…”

“…Although some sleep education studies have specifi cally targeted problematic sleepers, [16][17][18][19] most have delivered broad based general sleep education programs using a preventative model. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] School based health education programs such as those targeting physical activity and/or diet are common and effi cacious. 29 However, sleep education is in its infancy.…”

Evidence for a School-Based Sleep Health Education Program?

“…13 Similar integration of the ACES program with other core subjects and refinement using different modes of instruction could enhance the program that has already showed potential for sleep knowledge 14 and/or behavior change in adolecents. 3 Despite the aforementioned challenges, the authors have been successful in getting school districts in two countries to integrate the intervention into the respective health education programs. The current articles is casted as a "pilot" study and lessons learned from this small RCT, together with the previous studies on ACES, prepare them for larger implementation.…”

“…1 Data also support that over two-thirds of students do not achieve 9 hours, 2 and almost half of adolescents sleep 8 or less hours on school nights. 3 During adolescence, shorter total sleep time (TST) is associated with higher levels of depressed mood, disruptive behaviors, lower grades, and more absences.…”