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The Power Down Pilot Study: A Novel Bedtime Manipulation Protocol

Description

The goal of this pilot intervention study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a novel bedtime manipulation protocol called "The Power Down" for autistic youth, ages 6-10. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is the Power Down feasible for caregivers to do each night? 2. Do the families find the Power Down an acceptable intervention to address their child's difficulties settling down to fall asleep?

Conditions

AutismSleep Disturbance
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Related Conditions:

AutismSleep Disturbance

Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this pilot intervention study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a novel bedtime manipulation protocol called "The Power Down" for autistic youth, ages 6-10. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is the Power Down feasible for caregivers to do each night? 2. Do the families find the Power Down an acceptable intervention to address their child's difficulties settling down to fall asleep?

Powering Down: A Pilot Study of a Bedtime Manipulation to Support Sleep for Autistic Children

The Power Down Pilot Study: A Novel Bedtime Manipulation Protocol

Condition
Autism
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Child between the ages of 6 and 10 years old (at least 40%, no more than 60% female)
  • 2. Parent-reported autism diagnosis for child
  • 3. Parent-reported extended and problematic settling down delay
  • 4. Parent-reported sensory over-responsivity (a "yes" to at least 8 items in the sensory screening section of the checklist)
  • 5. Parent willing to participate in nightly routine during the 2 week study
  • 6. Located within the Pittsburgh area
  • 1. Participants will be excluded if they do not understand English or are unable to travel to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Western Psychiatric Hospital.
  • 2. Children who have trauma or other histories for whom physical touch is triggering (per caregiver report) will be excluded.
  • 3. If a child spends bedtime at a different caregiver's home for \>50% of the nights and that caregiver is not willing to participate in this study, the child will be excluded from this study.

Ages Eligible for Study

6 Years to 10 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Pittsburgh,

Amy G Hartman, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pittsburgh

Study Record Dates

2026-12