0982 Content Analysis Of The Features And Claims Of Smartphone Applications For Children’s Sleep

Abstract Introduction Empirically supported treatments for pediatric sleep problems exist but many families turn to other sources for help with their child’s sleep, such as smartphone applications (apps). Sleep apps are easy for families to access but little evidence exists regarding the validity of the services and information provided. The goal of this study was to examine the features and claims of sleep apps for children. Methods A search of the Apple iTunes store and Google Play Store was conducted using the terms “kids sleep” and “baby sleep”. 635 apps were initially identified. Apps were excluded if they were not specifically for children (n=163), not for sleep (n=152), or if they had <100,000 downloads (n=246). Content analyses were used to assess the apps functions, claims, and evidence base. Results A total of 74 apps were examined of which only 4% offered sleep improvement strategies. The majority were sound and light apps (77%) and 19% were bedtime games/stories. The apps were highly rated (average 4.4 out of 5) and most were free (54%); the price of paid apps ranged from $0.99 to $119.99 (annual subscription). Only 2 apps were identified as containing empirical evidence, and all of the apps featuring games and stories to be used as part of the bedtime routine are in opposition to the recommendation to avoid the melatonin-suppressing effect of electronics/bright light before bedtime. Despite this, many apps boasted claims that they will help children “fall asleep instantly,” “cry less and sleep better,” or improve child development. Conclusion A large variety of sleep applications exist aimed for use with children. Many boast claims that cannot be supported by empirical evidence, and indeed may be in opposition to research support. Collaboration between sleep researchers and technology developers may be beneficial for the creation of evidence-supported apps to help with children’s sleep. Support N/A

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An Overview of Commercially Available Apps in the Initial Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.557299 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Melvyn W. B. Zhang ◽

Aloysius Chow ◽

Roger C. M. Ho ◽

Helen E. Smith

Keyword(s):

Keyword Search ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Smartphone Applications ◽

Self Assessment ◽

Web Based ◽

Health Technologies ◽

Contact Tracking ◽

Analytical Review ◽

Commercial Applications ◽

Google Play

Introduction: It has been 4 months since the discovery of COVID-19, and there have been many measures introduced to curb movements of individuals to stem the spread. There has been an increase in the utilization of web-based technologies for counseling, and for supervision and training, and this has been carefully described in China. Several telehealth initiatives have been highlighted for Australian residents. Smartphone applications have previously been shown to be helpful in times of a crisis. Whilst there have been some examples of how web-based technologies have been used to support individuals who are concerned about or living with COVID-19, we know of no studies or review that have specifically looked at how M-Health technologies have been utilized for COVID-19.Objectives: There might be existing commercially available applications on the commercial stores, or in the published literature. There remains a lack of understanding of the resources that are available, the functionality of these applications, and the evidence base of these applications. Given this, the objective of this content analytical review is in identifying the commercial applications that are available currently for COVID-19, and in exploring their functionalities.Methods: A mobile application search application was used. The search terminologies used were “COVID” and “COVID-19.” Keyword search was performed based on the titles of the commercial applications. The search through the database was conducted from the 27th March through to the 18th of April 2020 by two independent authors.Results: A total of 103 applications were identified from the Apple iTunes and Google Play store, respectively; 32 were available on both Apple and Google Play stores. The majority appeared on the commercial stores between March and April 2020, more than 2 months after the first discovery of COVID-19. Some of the common functionalities include the provision of news and information, contact tracking, and self-assessment or diagnosis.Conclusions: This is the first review that has characterized the smartphone applications 4 months after the first discovery of COVID-19.

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55 Profiles of Sleep Problems among Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Paediatrics & Child Health ◽

10.1093/pch/pxaa068.054 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. e23-e23

Author(s):

Lonnie Zwaigenbaum ◽

Anat Zaidman-Zait ◽

Eric Duku ◽

Teresa Bennett ◽

Pat Mirenda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Problems ◽

Factor Model ◽

Five Factor Model ◽

Cumulative Risk ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Sample Mean ◽

Children With Asd ◽

Children’S Sleep ◽

Bedtime Routine

Abstract Background Sleep problems are more common and severe among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to their typically developing peers. The goal of this study was to characterize sleep problems profiles and their clinical correlates, based on a five-factor model of the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) among preschool children with ASD. Objectives (1) To describe empirically-derived patterns (i.e., latent profiles) of sleep problems among young children with ASD; and (2) To examine relations between family cumulative risk and emotional-behavioral dysregulation symptoms and sleep profile membership. Design/Methods The study included 318 three-to-five year old children (M= 49.45 months; SD = 5.77). Latent profile analysis was used to identify and describe profiles of sleep problems. Sleep problems were assessed using a previously established CSHQ five-factor model: (1) Bedtime Routine; (2) Sleep Onset & Duration; (3) Night Waking; (4) Morning Waking; and (5) Sleep Disordered Breathing, with higher scores indicating greater problems. We assess whether profile membership was associated with dysregulation difficulties (CBCL 1.5-5) and family cumulative risk index (CRI; constructed based on socioeconomic status, maternal distress, family functioning, and other related factors) using a three-step method (Vermunt & Magidson, 2013). Results A five-profile model of children’s sleep problems showed the best fit (Figure 1). Profile 1, Nighttime Sleep Problems (28%), consisted of children with scores around the sample mean, except relatively lower scores on Morning Waking. Profile 2, Severe Sleep Problems (25%), consisted of children with relatively high scores across all sleep problems. Profile 3, Low Sleep Problems (18%), included children with the lowest levels of all sleep problems. Profile 4, Moderate Sleep Problems (17%), included children with all sleep problem levels near the sample mean. Profile 5, Morning Waking Problems (12%), consisted of children with low scores on Bedtime Routine problems but pronounced Morning Waking problems. Dysregulation difficulties (Wald = 13.90; p = .001) and family CRI (Wald = 13.27; p =.001) emerged as significant predictors of profile membership. Higher CRI was associated with higher odds of membership in Profile 2 (Severe Sleep Problems), and lower scores for dysregulation difficulties were associated with higher odds of membership in Profile 3 (Low Sleep Problems). Conclusion Children with ASD present distinct profiles of sleep problems that differ, not only by overall severity, but also by relative severity across types of sleep problems. Children’s dysregulation and family risk should be considered in examining children’s sleep.

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Bedtimes, Bedtime Routines, and Children’s Sleep across the First Two Years of Life

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab045 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Barbara H Fiese ◽

Tianying Cai ◽

Carolyn Sutter ◽

Kelly K Bost

Keyword(s):

Sleep Duration ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Sleep Latency ◽

Book Reading ◽

First Year ◽

Strong Kids ◽

Waking And Sleep ◽

First Year Of Life ◽

Children’S Sleep ◽

Bedtime Routine

Abstract Study Objectives The first objective of this study was to determine whether establishing bedtime routines in the first year of life predicts better sleep outcomes (i.e., longer sleep duration, less nighttime waking, earlier bedtime, shorter sleep latency, fewer sleep problems) across the first two years of life. The second objective was to determine whether specific adaptive bedtime activities (e.g., book reading) were associated with sleep outcomes. The third objective was to describe changes in adaptive bedtime activities (hug/kiss caregiver, say goodnight to family) across the first two years of life. Methods Parents of 468 children from the STRONG Kids 2 birth cohort were surveyed about bedtime and bedtime routines, their child’s sleep duration, nighttime waking, sleep latency and sleep problems at 3, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Results Cross-lagged panel models revealed partial evidence for reciprocal associations between bedtime routine consistency and adaptive bedtime activities and better sleep outcomes over time. Specifically, more bedtime routine consistency predicted less nighttime waking and sleep problems, and more bedtime adaptive activities predicted longer sleep duration and fewer sleep problems. Discussion The findings are discussed from a developmental perspective to highlight how consistency of bedtime routines established as early as three months of age may affect sleep outcomes and that the adaptive activities associated with these routines may increase in frequency over the first two years of life.

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Children's Sleep Problems Can Lead to School Problems; African-American and Poor Children Fare Worse

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e636842011-001 ◽

2007 ◽

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

School Problems ◽

Poor Children ◽

Children’S Sleep

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Electronic Communication, Telehealth, and Social Media

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190634841.013.46 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Muniya S. Khanna ◽

Tommy Chou

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Intervention Delivery ◽

Safety Issues ◽

Video Teleconferencing ◽

Empirically Supported ◽

Traditional Service

Explosive growth of communication technologies and increased ubiquity of Internet access in both urban and rural communities and particularly in youth have occurred. Coupled with concerns regarding limitations to traditional service provision models, researchers and practitioners are looking to affordable, acceptable technologies to expand the reach of evidence-based care and reduce barriers to intervention and unmet need in areas with few providers. This chapter describes the present literature on use of video teleconferencing, web-based programs, social media, and smartphone apps to enhance mental health intervention delivery, psychiatric assessment, and training and supervision. The strengths of the various delivery methods are discussed for providing empirically supported mental healthcare, focusing on implications related to science and practice with children and families. Outlined also are current limitations, risks, and challenges to technology-mediated services, including the significant gaps in the evidence base underlying these technologies and the legal, ethical, and safety issues that remain.

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614 The Development and Psychometrics of an Assessment of Children’s Sleep Environments

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.612 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A241-A242

Author(s):

Jack Peltz ◽

Ronald Rogge ◽

Joseph Buckhalt ◽

Lori Elmore-Staton

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Clinical Work ◽

Sleep Health ◽

Insufficient Sleep ◽

Hygiene Behavior ◽

Sleep Environment ◽

Healthy Functioning ◽

Total Scale Score ◽

Children’S Sleep

Abstract Introduction Approximately half of school-aged children (ages 5–18) get either insufficient sleep during school nights or barely meet the required amount of sleep expected for healthy functioning (National Sleep Foundation, 2014).This percentage increases as children develop into adolescents (National Sleep Foundation, 2006). Accordingly, sleep problems and insufficient sleep are so pervasive that they could be considered an epidemic due to their adverse impact on children’s mental and physical health (Owens, 2015; Shochat et al., 2014). Fundamental to children’s sleep health is their sleep environment (Billings et al., 2019; Spilsbury et al., 2005). Despite its importance, however, there remains a noticeable absence of valid and reliable assessments of this construct. The current study sought to develop a measure of children’s sleep environments to support research and clinical work on youth’s sleep health. Methods A total of 813 parents (Mage = 40.6, SD = 8.6; 72% female) completed an online survey regarding their child’s (Mage = 10.5, SD = 3.8; 45% female) sleep environment and sleep-related behavior. The majority of families identified as Caucasian (approximately 80%). Parents reported fairly high annual incomes (Median = $75,000), but 28.2% of families reported incomes less than $50,000. A total of 18 items (total scale score; alpha = .74) were selected from a pool of 38 items developed from previous research that examined aspects of the sleep environment and were entered into an exploratory factor analysis from which 4 factors emerged: general sleep environment (10 items, alpha = .91), sleeping alone vs. with siblings (2 items, alpha = .78), presence of electronic screens (4 items, alpha = .75), and emotional environment (2 items, alpha = .80). Results The subscales demonstrated distinct patterns of correlations with related constructs, and unique predictive variance in explaining children’s daytime sleepiness even after controlling for children’s sleep hygiene, behavior problems, and sleep problems. Conclusion The current study is one of the first to demonstrate a valid/reliable assessment of children’s sleep environments. Not only will this measure provide researchers with an assessment of a fundamental influence on children’s sleep, but it will also enable clinicians to better measure this construct and support effective sleep health recommendations. Support (if any):

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P50 Exploring the Merits and Availability of Smartphone Applications Related to Melanoma

BJS Open ◽

10.1093/bjsopen/zrab032.049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Jade Kabbani ◽

Jamil Kabbani ◽

Jade Kabbani

Keyword(s):

Clinical Management ◽

Literature Search ◽

Patient Access ◽

Smartphone Applications ◽

App Store ◽

Widespread Availability ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Clinical Tools ◽

Google Play ◽

Privacy Issues

Abstract Background The increased use of smartphone applications across healthcare specialties has been particularly relevant in dermatology, with dermatology related applications widely available on mainstream application stores. We reviewed published literature regarding melanoma-related applications, and the number and types of such applications available for download. Methods A literature search of “dermatology”, “smartphone” and “melanoma” was conducted to identify publications assessing applications of interest. “Melanoma” was searched in Apple’s (iOS) “App Store” and Google’s “Google Play”, and application purposes and ratings were analysed. Results 54 of the 63 literature search results explored smartphone use in relation to melanoma, describing benefits including quicker patient access to care, reduced referrals and hence unnecessary consultations, and improved accessibility to information. However, concerns include insufficient image quality, privacy issues related to encryption, and diagnostic inaccuracy. Searches on the Google Play and iOS stores identified 249 and 51 apps respectively. 25% of Google Play results were categorised as clinical tools, 17% as educational, and 58% as recreational. The corresponding results for the App store were 92%, 6% and 2%. 81% of the educational apps and 92% of the clinical management apps related to dermatology and melanoma on Google Play, whereas all of the clinical management apps and 67% of the education apps on the App store were of relevance. Conclusion The results illustrate the widespread availability of applications related to melanoma, particularly for educational and clinical purposes. Standardising photographing techniques, improving diagnostic accuracy, and privacy issues are important aspects to consider and warrant further investigation.

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639 An exploratory study of parents-child co-sleeping in Korea

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.637 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A250-A250

Author(s):

Solbi Kang ◽

Seockhoon Chung ◽

Sooyeon Suh

Keyword(s):

Sleep Problems ◽

Age Groups ◽

Severity Index ◽

T Test ◽

Average Score ◽

Bed Sharing ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Waking Up ◽

Children’S Sleep ◽

Insomnia Severity

Abstract Introduction Asian cultures, including Korea, are known to have a higher proportion of parent-child co-sleeping than Western cultures. While recent studies have shown that bed-sharing increases the mother’s depression and causes sleep problems for children, there has never been a study in Asia on the sleep problems of parents and children caused by co-sleeping. Therefore, we aim to investigate the types of sleep problems in children and their mothers’ insomnia severity due to co-sleeping. Methods This study was conducted in 79 mothers (mean age 33.65 ±3.98 years) who reported having insomnia due to their children. All participants had children between 6 to 36 months old. Participants were asked to answer the survey includes demographics, sleep environment, child’s sleep problems, child’s health status items and the mother’s insomnia (measured by the Insomnia Severity Index; ISI). Children’s age was divided into 5 age groups (6 – 11, 12 - 17, 18 - 23, 24 - 29, and 30 to 36 months). Frequency analysis and independent t-test were conducted. Results Of the total respondents, 72.2% (n=57) reported co-sleeping with their children. The most reported sleep problem in children was waking up in the middle of the night 51.9% (n=41), followed by difficulty in sleep initiation 12.7% (n=10), looking for mother or an attachment object 12.7% (n=10), sleep-limiting problems 7.5% (n=6), multiple problems 12.7% (n=10), and none 2.5% (n=2). An independent t-test results for determining whether co-sleeping caused a difference in the severity of maternal insomnia was significant in the 6 to 11 months group only (t=-2.336, p<.05). The co-sleeping mother’s ISI average score (M=18.28) was significantly higher than mother who slept separate from her child (M=14.31). Conclusion Co-sleeping in Asian cultures is prevalent, and may require attention and intervention for mothers who report having insomnia due to their children’s sleep disturbance. Support (if any):

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The Legal and Empirical Case for Firearm Purchaser Licensing

The Journal of Law Medicine & Ethics ◽

10.1177/1073110520979397 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (S4) ◽

pp. 17-24

Author(s):

Hannah Abelow ◽

Cassandra Crifasi ◽

Daniel Webster

Keyword(s):

Violence Prevention ◽

Empirical Evidence ◽

State Government ◽

State Level ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Federal Courts ◽

Gun Violence ◽

State Governments ◽

Racial Justice ◽

Legal Frameworks

This article argues that state government actors concerned about gun violence prevention should prioritize enactment of robust firearm purchaser regimes at the state level. First, the article outlines the empirical evidence base for purchaser licensing. Then, the article describes how state governments can design this policy. Next, the article assesses the likelihood that purchaser licensing legislation will continue to be upheld by federal courts. Finally, the article addresses the implications of this policy, aimed at curbing gun deaths, for equally important racial justice priorities. Taken together, these various considerations indicate that purchaser licensing policies are among the most effective firearm-focused laws state governments can enact to reduce gun deaths within the existing federal legislative and legal frameworks.

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