Sleep Intervention and Quality of Life in Down Syndrome
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia, Wait-list control.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Down Syndrome, Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21). Basic parameters: 12 months — 30 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Improving Sleep and Quality of Life in Individuals With Down Syndrome and Their Caregivers
Overview
Aim 1 of the proposed project will be to adapt the virtual Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia (MBTI) for individuals with Down syndrome (DS). The investigators will work closely with a community advisory board consisting of individuals with DS, their caregivers, and clinicians specializing in DS and sleep medicine to ensure that the intervention protocol is relevant and appropriate for young people with DS (age 12 and older). Planned adaptations include 1) utilization of visual aids and videos to increase engagement and reinforce mindfulness concepts and practices; 2) shortened meditation practices to accommodate concentration limits of individuals with DS; 3) caregiver involvement reflecting the important role of caregivers in daily functioning of individuals with DS; 4) adapted homework to cater to the learning styles of individuals with DS; 5) daily reminders to encourage regular practice and reinforce the importance of consistency; and 6) modified session structure to ensure that participants are able to discuss their experiences and refine their mindfulness practice. During the first 6 months of the project, the investigators will meet monthly with the community advisory board and use an iterative process to develop detailed intervention protocol for a virtual MBTI suitable for young people with DS. Aim 2 of the project will be to pilot test the efficacy of the virtual MBTI for young people with DS. In the second half of the one-year project, the investigators will conduct a pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) of the intervention developed in Aim 1. This project will compare the effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Therapy for Insomnia (MBTI) and Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (BBTI) for young people with Down syndrome (DS). The interventions will be compared on their impact on improving sleep problems, quality of life, and functional outcomes. This project will also test if targeting the sleep of the caregiver in addition to the individual with Down syndrome has any effect on the outcomes.
Detailed description
This study aims to address the significant gap in effective behavioral treatments for sleep problems in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Specifically, it focuses on testing the efficacy of a virtual Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia (MBTI) for individuals with DS aged 12-30 years, along with their caregivers. The intervention seeks to improve sleep quality and overall quality of life for both participants and their caregivers.
Interventions
- Behavioral Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia
Mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia (MBTI) is a structured program designed to help individuals with chronic insomnia improve their sleep patterns through mindfulness practices. It combines mindfulness meditation, cognitive behavioral strategies, and sleep education to address the cognitive and physiological factors that disrupt sleep. The therapy emphasizes present-moment awareness, acceptance of sleep difficulties, and the reduction of sleep-related anxiety to promote better sleep quality a - Behavioral Wait-list control
The wait-list control group consists of participants who do not receive the intervention during the initial study period but are placed on a waitlist to receive it after the trial concludes. This group serves as a comparison to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention while ensuring participants eventually have access to the treatment. It helps control for natural changes over time and the psychological effects of expecting future treatment.
Primary outcome measures
- Objective Sleep Quality - Sleep duration [Time frame: Before (week 0) and at week 9 (the end of the 8-week intervention period).]
- Objective Sleep Quality - Sleep efficiency [Time frame: Before (week 0) and at week 9 (the end of the 8-week intervention period).]
- Objective Sleep Quality - Number of night awakenings [Time frame: Before (week 0) and at week 9 (the end of the 8-week intervention period).]
- Subjective Sleep Quality - Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire [Time frame: Before (week 0) and at week 9 (the end of the 8-week intervention period).]
- Subjective Sleep Quality - Insomnia Severity Index [Time frame: Before (week 0) and at week 9 (the end of the 8-week intervention period).]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Quality of life - Caregiver report [Time frame: Before (week 0) and at week 9 (the end of the 8-week intervention period).]
- Quality of life [Time frame: Before (week 0) and at week 9 (the end of the 8-week intervention period).]
- Quality of life [Time frame: Before (week 0) and at week 9 (the end of the 8-week intervention period).]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS).
- English is the primary language spoken in the household.
- Nonverbal mental age of at least 36 months, as determined by a baseline measure of adaptive skills.
- Presence of at least one sleep disturbance occurring five or more nights per week, as reported by a caregiver. Sleep disturbances may include: Bedtime resistance; Delayed sleep onset; Problematic sleep associations; Nighttime awakenings; Early morning awakenings
Exclusion criteria
- Severe sensory or motor impairments that would interfere with participation in the intervention.
- Inability to complete assessments or participate in the intervention sessions due to behavioral or medical conditions.
- Participation in other concurrent behavioral or sleep interventions.
- Caregiver inability or unwillingness to provide accurate reports or assist in intervention activities as needed.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06783725 · IRB-300013331 · 3128827.000.213128827.48160000