These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: The Zurich 3-step concept for the management of behavioral sleep disorders in children: a before-and-after study.
    Author: Werner H, Hunkeler P, Benz C, Molinari L, Guyer C, Häfliger F, Huber R, Jenni OG.
    Journal: J Clin Sleep Med; 2015 Mar 15; 11(3):241-9. PubMed ID: 25580603.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: Several strategies have been found to be effective for the treatment of childhood behavioral sleep disorders. One which has yet to be evaluated is the Zurich 3-step concept, which combines basic notions of the two-process model of sleep regulation (introducing a regular rhythm and adjusting bedtime to sleep need) with behavioral strategies. This uncontrolled before-and-after study describes our concept and its step-wise approach, assesses changes in sleep-wake variables and behavior problems, and also examines associations between changes in sleep-wake variables and behavior problems. METHODS: A total of 79 children with sleep problems (age range 6-47 months, 42% females) were included. Sleep problems were assessed by the Infant Sleep Questionnaire, sleep-wake variables by diary and actigraphy, and behavior problems of children ≥ 18 months by the Child Behavior Checklist. RESULTS: A significant decrease in nocturnal wake duration (Cohen's d = -0.34) and a significant increase in the duration of the longest continuous nocturnal sleep period (Cohen's d = 0.19) were found from before to after intervention (on average 2.7 months, SD 1.5). The variability for sleep onset and end time decreased, and actigraphically measured circadian rest-activity cycle measures improved. Parent-reported internalizing and total behavior problems also decreased (Cohen's d = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of both objective and subjective assessment techniques suggest that the Zurich 3-step concept is effective. Thus, the intervention concept may be useful in clinical practice with sleep-disordered children.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]