Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bedtime routines are the most common family activity encompassing a wide range of behaviours starting the hour before bed. Optimal bedtime routines can lead to benefits for children’s wellbeing and development and benefit parents too. The purpose of this study was to co-develop and test a novel bedtime routines intervention using text messages with first-time parents with young children.
METHODS: A stepped, user-inclusive, co-design and co-development approach was undertaken. Firstly, N=30 parents were interviewed to explore common barriers in achieving optimal bedtime routines. Then, a group of 12 parents participated in the co-design and co-development workshops where all aspects of the intervention were discussed and finalised. Finally, N=50 families received the text message intervention for 7-consecutive nights. Parents completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires on children’s sleep, quality of bedtime routines and parental mood. Feedback was provided at the end of the study too.
RESULTS: High recruitment target and high retention with 98%, or 49 out of 50 participants completing the study were achieved. Pre- and post-intervention, there were improvements in total children’s sleep with children sleeping longer and having less disrupted sleep overall (MD = -7.77 (SD= 17.91), t(48)=-3.03, p=.004, CI (-12.91, -2.63) and in overall quality of bedtime routines (MD=-5.00, SD=7.01, t(48)=-4.98, p<.001, CI (-7.01, -2.98). Parental mood disturbance decreased pre to post intervention (MD= 5.87, SD=15.43, t(48)=2.66), p=.010, CI (1.44, 10.30) ). Parents provided positive feedback about the intervention and valued the support that was provided to them.
DISCUSSION: The co-development and co-production of the intervention played a major role in the successful pilot. With positive preliminary results and positive participant feedback there is a need to explore the (long term) effects of the intervention in a larger, longitudinal, controlled study.
METHODS: A stepped, user-inclusive, co-design and co-development approach was undertaken. Firstly, N=30 parents were interviewed to explore common barriers in achieving optimal bedtime routines. Then, a group of 12 parents participated in the co-design and co-development workshops where all aspects of the intervention were discussed and finalised. Finally, N=50 families received the text message intervention for 7-consecutive nights. Parents completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires on children’s sleep, quality of bedtime routines and parental mood. Feedback was provided at the end of the study too.
RESULTS: High recruitment target and high retention with 98%, or 49 out of 50 participants completing the study were achieved. Pre- and post-intervention, there were improvements in total children’s sleep with children sleeping longer and having less disrupted sleep overall (MD = -7.77 (SD= 17.91), t(48)=-3.03, p=.004, CI (-12.91, -2.63) and in overall quality of bedtime routines (MD=-5.00, SD=7.01, t(48)=-4.98, p<.001, CI (-7.01, -2.98). Parental mood disturbance decreased pre to post intervention (MD= 5.87, SD=15.43, t(48)=2.66), p=.010, CI (1.44, 10.30) ). Parents provided positive feedback about the intervention and valued the support that was provided to them.
DISCUSSION: The co-development and co-production of the intervention played a major role in the successful pilot. With positive preliminary results and positive participant feedback there is a need to explore the (long term) effects of the intervention in a larger, longitudinal, controlled study.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
| Event | Child Health Technology 2022 - Online Duration: 11 May 2022 → 12 May 2022 |
Conference
| Conference | Child Health Technology 2022 |
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| Period | 11/05/22 → 12/05/22 |