Characterizing rest-activity rhythms and sleep for children with and without tactile sensitivities: An observational study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional, observational study aimed to characterize and compare movement-based rest-activity rhythms (RARs) and sleep period variables of children with tactile hypersensitivities (SS) and non-sensitive peers (NSS) to expand the understanding of experienced differences in sleep. METHODS: Children (ages 6-10) wore Actigraph GT9X watches for 2 weeks and caregivers completed daily sleep diaries. RARs and sleep period variables (e.g., sleep efficiency, duration, wake after sleep onset) were analyzed and localized means were plotted to visualize average rhythms for each group. Groups were compared using Student's t tests, or non-parametric alternatives, and Hedge's g effect sizes. RESULTS: Fifty-three children and their families participated in this study (nSS = 21 nNSS = 32). The groups had similar RARs and sleep period variables. In both groups, sleep efficiency was low (SESS = 78%, SENSS = 77%) and total sleep time was short (TSTSS = 7 hrs 26 mins, TSTNSS- 7 h, 33 min) compared to national recommendations. Despite these similarities, children with SS took noticeably longer to settle down and fall asleep (53 min) than children with NSS (26 min, p = .075, g = 0.95). CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary data describing RAR and sleep period variables in children with and without tactile hypersensitivities. While overall RAR and sleep variables were similar between groups, there is evidence that children with SS spend a longer time transitioning to sleep. Evidence is provided that wrist-worn actigraphy is tolerable and acceptable for children with tactile sensitivities. Actigraphy provides important, movement-based data that should be used in tandem with other measures of sleep health for future studies.

Characterizing Sleep Differences in Children With and Without Sensory Sensitivities.

Objectives: Individuals register and react to daily sensory stimuli differently, which influences participation in occupations. Sleep is a foundational nightly occupation that impacts overall health and development in children. Emerging research suggests that certain sensory processing patterns, specifically sensory sensitivities, may have a negative impact on sleep health in children. In this study, we aimed to (i) characterize sleep in children with and without sensory sensitivities and (ii) examine the relationship between sensory processing patterns (using the Sensory Profile-2) and sleep using validated parent- and child-reported questionnaires. We hypothesized that children with sensory sensitivities will exhibit more difficulties with sleep. Methods: We recruited 22 children (ages 6-10) with sensory sensitivities (SS) and 33 children without sensory sensitivities (NSS) to complete validated sleep and sensory processing questionnaires: the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Sleep Self-Report (SSR), and Sensory Profile-2. Results: Children with SS had significantly more sleep behaviors reported by both parents (p < 0.001, g = 1.11) and children (p < 0.001, g = 1.17) compared to children with NSS. Specifically, children with SS had higher frequencies of sleep anxiety (p = 0.004, g = 0.79), bedtime resistance (p = 0.001, g = 0.83), and sleep onset delay (p = 0.003, g = 0.95). Spearman's ρ correlations indicated significant positive correlations between parent- and child-reported sleep. Children with SS showed a larger association and greater variability between sleep and sensory processing compared to their peers. Significant positive correlations between parent-reported sleep behaviors and sensory sensitive and avoiding patterns were identified for both children with SS and NSS. Child-reported sleep behaviors were most strongly associated with sensitive and avoiding patterns for children with NSS and seeking patterns for children with SS. Conclusion: We present evidence that sleep is impacted for children with SS to a greater extent than children with NSS. We also identified that a child's sensory processing pattern may be an important contributor to sleep problems in children with and without sensory sensitivities. Sleep concerns should be addressed within routine care for children with sensory sensitivities. Future studies will inform specific sleep intervention targets most salient for children with SS and other sensory processing patterns.

Comparing contributors of parental sleep health in families with and without a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: The sleep health of caregivers of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is often overlooked in clinical practice and research. This study characterizes the sleep health of caregivers of children with DMD (4-17 years) compared to parents of age-matched, unaffected children. We explore potential contributors to parental sleep efficiency and hypothesize that child awakenings will have a considerable influence on parental sleep efficiency. METHODS: In this observational study, parents and their children were asked to wear the ActiGraph GT9X Link at night for 1 month. From these data, actigraphy variables (eg, percent sleep efficiency, nocturnal awakenings) were calculated and averaged for parents and children. We also used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure subjective sleep quality. MAIN FINDINGS: Parents in the DMD group (n = 25, M = 84.5%) had significantly worse sleep efficiency compared to controls (n = 15, M = 87.8%, p = .048). This difference was sustained after controlling for parent age, child age, and average child awakenings (F(4, 23) = 2.68, p= .057, R2 = .32). Additionally, more parents in the DMD group scored as "poor sleepers" on the PSQI (above 5, 50%) compared to controls (23%), suggesting a strong, yet not statistically significant association between subjective poor sleep and group (χ2(1) = 2.47, p = .116, OR = 3.33). CONCLUSION: Parents of children with DMD exhibit both objective and subjective differences suggesting their sleep is impaired. Interestingly, these sleep concerns are not significantly explained by child awakenings as hypothesized. Future research is needed to fully understand the prevalence and cause of poor sleep in a larger group of DMD caregivers as well as direct care for caregivers of children with disabilities.