The role of the transdiagnostic sleep and circadian intervention in adolescent bedtime and sleep quality: a pilot study
Abstract
Purpose: Circadian misalignment is prevalent among adolescents and contributes to sleep deficiency and mental health struggles. There is a need for interventions targeting sleep and circadian difficulties in adolescents. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of a Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TSC) in a community-based adolescent sample with circadian misalignment. We hypothesized that TSC would improve sleep timing and duration, lessen circadian misalignment, improve subjective sleep quality, shorten sleep onset latency, and improve mental health outcomes.
Methods: Thirty-one adolescents (M age = 15.9 years (SD = 1.3); 45.2% female; 67.7% White) with self-reported circadian misalignment completed the six-week TSC intervention. Using a within-subject design, outcomes were assessed via actigraphy, dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO), Morningness-Evening Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Item before and after the intervention. Repeated-measure Generalized Linear Models were conducted to examine differences across outcomes from pre- to post-intervention.
Results: TSC was associated with a significant earlier shift in sleep midpoint (~ 30 min; p = .023, g = .591) and weekend sleep onset (p = .003, g = .856), alongside improved subjective sleep quality (p = .021, g = .452). No significant changes were observed in DLMO, circadian misalignment index, total sleep duration, sleep onset…
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