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        <title>Frontiers in Sleep | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sleep</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Sleep | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-04-25T19:11:58.753+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1806980</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1806980</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Prevalence of different parasomnias in the general Norwegian population, and their association with insomnia, anxiety, and depression. A cross-sectional web-panel survey]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Erlend Haarr Drugli</author><author>Oskar Emil Lehmann</author><author>Ståle Pallesen</author><author>Ingvild West Saxvig</author><author>Siri Waage</author><author>Bjørn Bjorvatn</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of various parasomnias in the general Norwegian adult population and explore their associations with insomnia, anxiety, and depression.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted in September 2024 among 1002 adults (50.7% male, mean age 50.3), drawn from a large population-based sample from a national web panel. Participants reported lifetime and past 3-month (current) prevalence of eleven different parasomnias, including both NREM- and REM-related subtypes. Validated instruments assessed insomnia (Bergen Insomnia Scale), anxiety and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-4). Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regressions, adjusting for age, sex, educational level, and circadian preference. Response rate was 19.8%.ResultsLifetime prevalence of the parasomnias ranged from 2.3% (sleep-related eating disorder) to 47.2% (nightmares), while current prevalence ranged from 1.0% (injured somebody else during sleep) to 33.1% (nightmares). Insomnia, anxiety, and depression were associated with most of the parasomnias [e.g., nightmares-anxiety (OR 1.58; CI 1.42–1.74)]. Parasomnias were more common in younger participants, while sex differences were few.ConclusionMany of the parasomnias were commonly reported and strongly associated with insomnia and mental health symptoms. These findings underscore the need for increased clinical awareness and further research on parasomnias.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1791640</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1791640</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Implementation and feasibility of an interdisciplinary pediatric positive airway pressure adaptation program in a Brazilian public sleep clinic]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Study Protocol</category>
        <author>Ila Linares</author><author>Jeane Xavier</author><author>Caroline Borginho</author><author>Clarissa Bueno</author><author>Anna Monazzi</author><author>Simone Fagondes</author><author>Renatha E. Rafihi-Ferreira</author><author>Melissa Xanthopoulos</author><author>Leticia Azevedo Soster</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can improve academic performance of affected children, in addition to enhancing their cognitive and social development. Since the effective use of positive airway pressure (PAP) is limited by difficulties in adherence to the device, adaptation and engagement programs may improve outcomes in pediatric patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to describe an interdisciplinary program to improve PAP adherence among children with OSA in Brazil's public health system, also assessing its feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and scalability based on implementation science frameworks, with the goal of informing sustainable clinical practice and public policy.MethodThe program is based on the CPAP Program developed and implemented by the Children's Hospital of the Philadelphia Sleep Center. This prospective study will involve patients aged 1 year to 18 years treated at the children's sleep clinic who have a diagnosis of OSA and indication for PAP treatment. The main outcome measures will include (1) percentage of patients who return for a follow-up visit within 4 months of treatment initiation, (2) the median number of days from the initial visit to the first follow-up visit, (3) task analysis questionnaire, (4) objective data obtained from the device's memory card.ConclusionThe program proposed is expected to provide an integrated clinical service, optimizing the time of adaptation to PAP, increasing adherence rates, and reducing the costs associated with medical problems of untreated OSA.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1802882</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1802882</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Differences in sleep spindles and polysomnography in humans: a meta-analysis on the influence of age, sex, and cognitive ability]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-14T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Diana Campos-Beltrán</author><author>Shu Zhang</author><author>Lisa Marshall</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This meta-analysis examines EEG sleep spindle and macrostructure differences in humans related to healthy aging, sex, and cognitive ability. Inclusion criteria required quantitative EEG data of healthy subjects, including sleep spindle properties and sleep polysomnography comparing younger to older subjects, females to males, and/or correlations with cognitive ability scores. The search included seven databases. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) calculated the study quality (risk of bias). Two meta-analyses used Hedges' g, and one averaged correlation (95% CI), all conducted with Meta-Essentials v1.4, with standard assessments of heterogeneity, publication bias, and meta-regression, supplemented by subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Results provide tables, forest plots, funnel plots, and bubble plots. k = 42 studies with N = 1,878 healthy subjects met our criteria. With age, sleep spindles decreased in amplitude, density, and duration. Sleep quality was reduced in older subjects showing shorter durations of both slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. Females revealed higher sleep spindle power (11–16 Hz), more prominent in older subjects; greater sleep efficiency, more total sleep time (TST), and longer SWS. Correlations between sleep properties and cognitive ability revealed age-dependent effects. Results yield key considerations in population comparisons and when targeting spindle activity, both for mechanistic research and for neuropsychiatric treatment. Yet further systematic investigations are warranted.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1707583</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1707583</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Use of hypnosis to treat chronic somniloquy (sleep talking): a Case Report]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Case Report</category>
        <author>Melvin S. Marsh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThis case study describes a hypnotherapeutic intervention for a 46-year-old man with chronic somniloquy that had persisted for decades, worsening during periods of stress. The patient sought treatment due to spousal complaints regarding the disturbance in her sleep.MethodsA treatment plan consisting of eight bi-weekly hypnotherapy sessions was developed and initiated. The intervention focused on clinical hypnosis as the primary therapeutic modality for addressing somniloquy.ResultsThe intervention yielded positive results. By the sixth scheduled session, the patient's wife reported that his sleep talking had been nearly completely eliminated, leading to an early discontinuation of treatment.DiscussionThis case study suggests that clinical hypnosis may be a viable treatment option for chronic somniloquy. Further research is warranted to explore this therapeutic approach on a larger scale.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1714777</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1714777</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Sleep quality assessment in hospitalized postoperative surgical patients: a COSMIN-based systematic review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Nunung Nurhayati</author><author>Agung Waluyo</author><author>I. Made Kariasa</author><author>Sali Rahadi Asih</author><author>Hening Pujasari</author><author>Bahrul Hayat</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundSleep is a crucial physiological process that significantly influences recovery among hospitalized postoperative surgical patients, including those treated in intensive care units and general surgical wards. Reliable and valid instruments for assessing sleep quality are essential for guiding clinical decision-making and improving patient outcomes. However, the psychometric properties of commonly used sleep assessment tools remain inconsistent, highlighting the need for systematic evaluation.ObjectiveThis study aimed to conduct a COSMIN-based systematic review to examine the measurement properties of sleep quality assessment instruments used in hospitalized postoperative surgical patients.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for studies published between 2010 and 2024. The methodological quality of each study was evaluated using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist, and a narrative synthesis was performed to summarize the psychometric evidence for each instrument.ResultsOf the 210 studies initially identified, 37 met the eligibility criteria. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) demonstrated adequate reliability and construct validity but showed limitations related to measurement error and responsiveness. The Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) exhibited strong reliability and construct validity, though variability was observed in interrater agreement between nurses and patients. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was reliable for assessing daytime sleepiness but provided limited evidence for structural validity in postoperative contexts. The Sleep Quality Questionnaire (SQQ), Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale (VSH), and Insomnia Clinical Evaluation (ICE) showed mixed psychometric properties, indicating the need for further validation in hospitalized postoperative populations.ConclusionThe PSQI and RCSQ remain the most frequently utilized sleep assessment instruments; however, their psychometric limitations warrant cautious interpretation. This review underscores the need for further research to refine, validate, and potentially develop more robust sleep assessment tools tailored to hospitalized postoperative surgical patients.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1779808</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1779808</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Patterns of rest-activity rhythms from adolescence to young adulthood: a scoping review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-08T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Camila Koike</author><author>Bridget A. Nestor</author><author>Erin Sands</author><author>Danielle A. Wallace</author><author>Joe Kossowsky</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionRest-activity rhythms (RAR) measure daily physical activity patterns. RAR metrics correlate with biopsychosocial trajectories in adults and may represent objective biomarkers of health and risk. However, the significance of RAR to demographical, physical, and psychological factors in early adolescence and young adulthood has not been collectively evaluated, leaving gaps in understanding RAR's relevance during this developmental window.MethodsA systematic search identified peer-reviewed studies on adolescents and young adults (ages 10–19) that reported data on RAR variables and factors of interest published through April 2024. Study and participant characteristics, device characteristics, days of wearable data collected, RAR variables, and associated demographic, social, physical, and psychological factors were extracted.ResultsOf 1,648 screened titles and abstracts, 19 studies with 16,717 participants met eligibility. Included studies varied widely in devices used, epoch lengths, recording duration, and RAR data compliance criteria. Seven studies reported RAR outcomes relevant to demographic or social factors, nine studies reported RAR outcomes relevant to physical health, and ten studies reported RAR results relevant to psychological factors. Across domains, findings were highly heterogeneous and differed from the more consistent and established associations observed in the adult literature. Generally, age-related decreases in stability and fragmentation were observed, as well as associations between increased fragmentation and cardiometabolic risk and between reduced peak daytime activity and poor mental health. Consistently, younger age groups exhibited higher interdaily stability and intradaily variability, and elevated cardiometabolic risk was associated with a delayed acrophase. Methodological inconsistencies and low-quality studies limit the generalizability of findings across studies.ConclusionStandardization in RAR measurement, establishment of age- and sex-specific normative values for RAR, and longitudinal studies with more diverse samples are necessary to advance this field and better clarify clinically relevant RAR associations.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1759416</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1759416</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Sleep duration and food insecurity among minority urban college students: predictors of health and academic disparity]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>William Suarez-Gomez</author><author>Peter C. Nwakeze</author><author>Aditi Puri</author><author>Chesley Sanchez</author><author>Latoya Callender</author><author>Collette M. Brown</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionSynthesizing the literature on college students in urban settings, this study addresses how systemic disparities amplify food insecurity and poor sleep health in minority college students in the Bronx. We posit that their relationship is a predictor of higher body mass index (BMI) and lower grade point average to assess academic performance (GPA).MethodsThis cross-sectional study investigated the association between self-reported sleep duration and food insecurity among 710 minority undergraduate students at two urban institutions in the Bronx, NY. The research used a QR-code-based survey to collect socio-demographics, food security data (US Household Food Security Module), and sleep duration (a PSQI sub-section). SPSS Version 29 was used for analysis. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine the relationships between food security, sleep duration, demographics, BMI, and the GPA.ResultsThe findings reveal a high prevalence of food insecurity (52.1%) in this population. Chi-square analysis demonstrated statistically significant associations between food insecurity and household income (p < 0.0001), sleep duration (p = 0.007), and BMI (p = 0.037). A multiple logistic regression confirmed that obtaining the recommended sleep duration (7–9 h) was associated with 2.3 times higher odds of being food secure (p = 0.005, Exp(B) = 2.327). Additionally, students with a normal or overweight BMI were significantly more food secure than their obese counterparts.ConclusionThe current study highlights the interrelationship between sleep duration, food insecurity, socioeconomic status, and BMI among minority students. No correlation was observed between sleep duration, food insecurity, and GPA. However, our findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive, multifaceted interventions to effectively address these challenges faced by urban minority college students.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1783027</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1783027</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Beyond screen use duration: the role of evening TV-timing on sleep in preschool-aged children]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Isabel M. Wilder</author><author>Rebecca M. C. Spencer</author><author>Tracy Riggins</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Sleep is a critical component of early childhood health, yet many preschool-aged children fail to obtain sufficient overnight sleep. Screen use contributes to insufficient sleep. However, most research thus far has focused on total screen time rather than the timing of screen exposure, which may be especially important for evening arousal, displacement of bedtime routines, and circadian regulation. The present study examined whether the delay between evening TV use and bedtime (“TV-to-bed delay”) and children's average daily TV use were associated with 24-h sleep duration in preschoolers. Parents of 137 typically developing 3–5-year-old children (M age = 3.81 years, SD = 0.53; 52.6% female; 62.8% White; mid- to high-SES urban sample) provided reports of their child's typical TV-to-bed delay, average TV exposure, average nap duration, and 24-h sleep duration. Partial Spearman's rho correlations were used to examine associations between TV-use variables and 24-h sleep duration while controlling for child age, average daily TV use, and average nap duration. Longer TV-to-bed delays were significantly associated with longer 24-h sleep duration (ρ = 0.20, p = 0.02). In contrast, average daily TV use was not significantly associated with 24-h sleep duration after adjustment (ρ = −0.14, p = 0.11). These findings highlight the importance of considering timing as a meaningful dimension of media exposure and suggest that simple behavioral adjustments—such as creating a longer buffer between evening TV use and bedtime—may support healthier sleep in young children.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1758539</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1758539</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Sleep disorders in children/adolescents with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders: what evidences do we have with the use of non-pharmacological interventions?]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Magda Lahorgue Nunes</author><author>Camila dos Santos El Halal</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundSleep disturbances are highly prevalent across neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and often exacerbate core symptoms, impair daytime functioning, and increase caregiver burden. Despite frequent clinical use of behavioral and educational strategies, the evidence base for non-pharmacological sleep interventions in this population remains scarce.Data sourceThis narrative review aimed to analyze behavioral interventions that can be used for sleep problems in children and adolescents with NDDs, and synthesizes data from recent studies that examined those non-pharmacological interventions in epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy (CP), and rare genetic neurodevelopmental conditions (RGNCs).ResultsAcross NDDs, insomnia symptoms are highly prevalent, with circadian disturbances and sleep-disordered breathing also common in some groups. Behavioral and parent-led interventions—including psychoeducation, sleep hygiene, structured routines, and extinction-based strategies—consistently improve parent-reported sleep and often enhance daytime behavior, though objective sleep gains are smaller. In epilepsy and ASD, tailored behavioral–educational programmes are both effective and acceptable. In ADHD, behavioral sleep interventions and melatonin improve sleep, with behavioral approaches also yielding modest reductions in ADHD symptoms. Evidence for CP and RGNCs is limited but supports individualized, multimodal management targeting both behavioral and physiological contributors, while syndrome-specific chronobiological treatments offer only partial benefit.ConclusionsBehavioral and educational sleep interventions are generally safe, acceptable, and clinically useful across NDDs, particularly when embedded in multidisciplinary, condition-informed care. However, their efficacy is constrained by small, heterogeneous trials and non-standardized outcome measures. Robust, syndrome-specific randomized studies with harmonized sleep and daytime outcomes are urgently needed to guide evidence-based practice.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1772987</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1772987</link>
        <title><![CDATA[DARC-NESS: a mastery-based cognitive-behavioral model for treating chronic nightmares in youth]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Hypothesis and Theory</category>
        <author>Lisa DeMarni Cromer</author><author>Emily Kaier Cromwell</author><author>Lauren E. Prince</author><author>Tara R. Buck</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Theories of chronic nightmare maintenance highlight dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and nightmares, distress and arousal, anticipatory anxiety, maladaptive sleep habits, and sleep deprivation as perpetuating factors that maintain nightmare disorder over time. Theories of nightmare treatment suggest that self-efficacy is a common factor in nightmare mitigation. The current article introduces DARC-NESS, a multi-component theory of nightmare maintenance that emphasizes nightmare self-efficacy as a central mechanism influencing the maintenance cycle at multiple points. DARC-NESS is a mnemonic for the model's components: Dream (nightmare) content, Appraisals, Resources for regulation, Conditioned arousal, Nightmare Efficacy, Sleep hygiene and patterns, and Sleep quality and quantity, that interact to perpetuate nightmares. This model provides the theoretical basis for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for child nightmares. The manuscript proposes treatment counterparts to each model component and presents a case illustration demonstrating how these interventions can disrupt the vicious cycle of chronic nightmares. Finally, flexible clinical applications are offered to guide clinicians in selecting and sequencing modular intervention elements to match individual case presentations.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1662221</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1662221</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Preschool attention and sleep support (PASS): protocol for a pilot feasibility randomized clinical trial]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Study Protocol</category>
        <author>Naomi O. Davis</author><author>Brian Eichner</author><author>Matthew J. Gibson</author><author>Jessica R. Lunsford-Avery</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionAttention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms often emerge during preschool, highlighting a critical period for prevention. Preventative ADHD interventions may be most effective if they target biological mechanisms linked to core ADHD pathophysiology. Sleep dysregulation represents a potential target, yet the gold-standard behavioral intervention (behavioral parent training, BPT) focuses primarily on ameliorating daytime impairment. There is a critical need to adapt BPT to target behaviors across the 24-h period through integration with behavioral sleep medicine (BSM).MethodsThis trial will randomize children ages 3–5 years who are identified as at-risk for ADHD (i.e., with elevated ADHD symptoms) and their caregivers to receive either BPT (n = 22) or a combined intervention that includes BPT and BSM (Preschool Attention and Sleep Support, PASS; n = 22). Blinded assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and 3 months post treatment. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed.ResultsKey outcomes will include changes in ADHD symptoms (measured by clinical and caregiver rating) and sleep (measured by both actigraphy and caregiver report). Changes in additional functional outcomes (e.g., comorbid symptoms, parenting stress) will be explored.DiscussionFindings from this study will provide essential data to inform a large-scale clinical trial of PASS, with the ultimate goal of improving functional outcomes among preschoolers at risk for ADHD and modifying the trajectory of this chronic condition through early preventative intervention focused on improving biological processes linked to ADHD.Trial RegistrationNCT05862727.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1665671</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1665671</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A pilot randomized controlled trial of the ABCs of SLEEPING mHealth intervention for parents of school-aged children with insomnia symptoms]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Anastasija Jemcov</author><author>Penny Violet Corkum</author><author>Isabel M. Smith</author><author>Sean P. Mackinnon</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionSleep is important for overall functioning; thus, parents should have access to effective sleep intervention for their children's insomnia. Mobile health interventions (mHealth) are increasingly popular partly due to their accessibility. Currently, no evidence-based sleep intervention apps are available for parents and their school-age children. Our research team developed the ABCs of SLEEPING intervention to address this gap.MethodThe current study used a modified version based on feedback from a feasibility study which found reasonable acceptability and promising preliminary effectiveness but lower fidelity than expected (i.e., not daily use). The current study examined preliminary effectiveness using randomized controlled trial (RCT) methodology for subjective (sleep habits, insomnia severity, behavioral functioning) and objective sleep variables, and examined recruitment data to inform practices for a future RCT. Participants were 28 parents of typically developing children with parent-reported sleep problems, randomized to a treatment or control group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).ResultsRecruitment rate was 70%, dropout rate was 30%, and estimated sample size for an RCT was 118. A small effect of the intervention improving sleep habits, daytime functioning, and insomnia severity, and no statistically significant effect for objectively measured sleep were demonstrated.DiscussionThese results can be used to modify the intervention and to prepare for a large-scale effectiveness study. As an accessible mHealth intervention for parents of school-aged children with insomnia, the ABCs of SLEEPING app has the potential to address an existing treatment gap.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1669946</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2026.1669946</link>
        <title><![CDATA[How do parents approach nighttime infant care? A grounded theory]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Caryn Dooner</author><author>Christine Ou</author><author>Hana Kim</author><author>Lenora Marcellus</author><author>Michaela Henry-Dansereau</author><author>Jessy Sidhu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionHow parent dyads organize and share nighttime caregiving, particularly in the context of gender-roles and diverse family structures, has been given little attention. The aim of this study was to develop a grounded theory explaining how parent dyads manage nighttime infant care, focusing on caregiving practices, decision-making, and their effects on parental roles and well-being.MethodsParent dyads with children under 2 years of age who completed an online questionnaire were invited to participate in virtual semi-structured interviews about their nighttime caregiving approaches. Interview transcripts were analyzed using constructive grounded theory methods.ResultsTwenty cisgender heterosexual and 10 2SLGBTQ+ dyads were interviewed. The core category navigating priorities was identified, which highlighted the tension created by competing demands and priorities. Parents responded by either staying the course—maintaining their current approach—or changing lanes—adopting a new strategy—within their unique dyadic context. This context encompassed the characteristics and evolving experiences each person brought to their family. This iterative process was triggered whenever tension arose from competing values or priorities.DiscussionDyadic context shapes how couples navigate nighttime care priorities. Flexibility in decision-making and active engagement from both partners in adapting to evolving needs promoted mutually supportive nighttime caregiving for families. These findings enhance understanding of shared parenting dynamics in diverse family structures, informing strategies to support parental and infant sleep and well-being.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1691091</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1691091</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Obstructive sleep apnea in children: prevalence and association with overweight and obesity]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ingibjorg Ingolfsdottir</author><author>Laufey Hrolfsdottir</author><author>Groa Bjork Johannesdottir</author><author>Thorhallur Ingi Halldorsson</author><author>Solveig Magnusdottir</author><author>Erla Guðbjorg Hallgrimsdottir</author><author>Magnus Birkisson</author><author>Hannes Petersen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an underdiagnosed health condition and in young children, if untreated, may have negative effects on mental and physical health. Although obesity is recognized as a major risk factor for OSA in adults, the association between weight and OSA has not been as well documented in children. This study was conducted to evaluate prevalence of OSA in young children and if there is an association with weight gain, overweight and/or obesity.MethodsCross-sectional study, conducted over period of one-year included 29% (n = 371) of young children (4–9-years old) living within the general population in the recruitment area. Sleep was evaluated subjectively with the pediatric-sleep-questionnaire (PSQ) and objectively using a home sleep test. Two-nights of >4-h of sleep-duration was required for diagnosis of OSA. Overweight and obesity was evaluated using BMI z-score. Multivariable log-binomial regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between OSA and overweight/obesity. The analyses were adjusted for age, sex, history of asthma/allergies and prior adenotonsillar surgery.ResultsUndiagnosed OSA is prevalent in young children or 22.7%; with prevalence of moderate-OSA 16.2% and severe-OSA 6.5%. Each one-unit increase in BMI z-score was associated with 1.35-times (CI95%:1.22, 1.50) higher risk of having moderate/severe OSA. Childhood overweight (RR = 2.71; CI95%1.76, 4.16) and obesity (RR = 2.80; CI95%1.75, 4.49) were associated with almost three times the increase higher risk of having moderate/severe OSA. When analyzing BMI z-score from 18 months of age to current age (ΔBMI z-score), each one-unit increase in BMI z-score was associated with 1.24-times (CI95%: 1.08, 1.41) higher risk of having moderate/severe OSA.ConclusionsThe prevalence of OSA in young children is higher than previously reported, with weight gain, overweight, and obesity strongly associated with OSA diagnoses.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1767653</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1767653</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Novel technologies in the diagnosis and management of sleep-disordered breathing, volume III]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Ding Zou</author><author>Henri Korkalainen</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1736866</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1736866</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Case Report: A case of post-viral inflammatory insomnia: observed sleep restoration associated with histamine-targeted interventions and implications for mast cell pathways]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Case Report</category>
        <author>Amanda Jill Meckes</author><author>James William Meckes</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundMast cell-mediated inflammation has been proposed as a potential contributor to neuroinflammatory insomnia and dysautonomia, but objective clinical documentation remains limited. Histamine and related immune mediators can disrupt circadian rhythm, arousal systems, and autonomic stability. Conventional pharmacological therapies for sleep restoration often fail to address these inflammatory mechanisms.Case presentationA previously healthy and active 74-year-old male presented with post-viral dysautonomia and severe, treatment-refractory insomnia accompanied by persistent sneezing and ocular irritation suggestive of histamine reactivity. Despite optimal CPAP use and multiple pharmacological trials for sleep disturbance (zolpidem, trazodone, gabapentin, diazepam, lemborexant), Oura Ring data demonstrated persistently low sleep scores, often in the 30–40 range, and minimal REM and deep sleep. Routine laboratory studies (CBC, CMP, thyroid, cortisol, testosterone) were normal except for mildly low DHEA-S, consistent with chronic inflammatory stress. Following evaluation by a tertiary sleep specialist who suggested daytime stimulant therapy (declined by the patient), a targeted supportive regimen was initiated to promote physiologic recovery and restore sleep architecture. This included phosphatidylcholine, alpha-GPC, coenzyme Q10, cyproheptadine (2–4 mg at qHS) and removal of scented household products. Sleep metrics improved within 24 h, with Oura sleep scores increasing to 75+ from a 10-month period characterized by nightly scores often in the 30–40 range and remained stable thereafter. At 4-week follow-up, lingering daytime fatigue and patient-reported cognitive fog prompted additional dietary modification to a low-histamine pattern and the addition of loratadine (10 mg AM) and famotidine (20 mg BID).OutcomeWithin several days, the patient reported marked improvement in energy, cognition, and overall functional capacity, following nearly a year of functional incapacitation.ConclusionThis case demonstrates a reversible form of inflammatory insomnia and fatigue, likely mediated by mast cell-driven histamine activity. A multi-component intervention targeting histamine pathways, including antihistamine therapy, environmental modification, and dietary adjustment, was associated with rapid and sustained normalization of objective sleep metrics in this patient. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating immune and inflammatory contributors in patients with refractory insomnia and support further investigation of mast cell-related pathways in translational sleep medicine.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1722557</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1722557</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Improving sleep health through sleep hygiene education in adults aged 50–80 years]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-14T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ashley M. Pfeiffer</author><author>Craig Triplett</author><author>Olivia Schaefers</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionSleep plays a critical role in maintaining physical and cognitive health in older adults, yet sleep problems are highly prevalent in this population. Conventional management strategies often rely on pharmacological interventions, which may cause adverse side effects, evidencing the need for safe, low-cost alternatives. Sleep hygiene education offers a promising approach, and this study evaluates the efficacy of a strategy combining a one-time educational video and daily automated text messages in improving sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and overall sleep hygiene practices among older adults.MethodsParticipants completed an electronic survey that collected demographic information and included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), Perceived Stress Scale, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Each participant wore a Fitbit sleep tracker for 2 weeks to establish baseline data on total sleep time, time awake, time in rapid eye movement (REM)/light/deep sleep, and sleep efficiency. Participants were then randomly assigned to a control group, a video-only group, or a video-plus-text group. Sleep tracking continued for 4 additional weeks, and all assessments were repeated at the end of the study.ResultsA total of 119 participants (mean age 66.5 ± 7.2 years; 77 females) completed the study. Paired t-tests compared pre- and post-intervention scores. Both the video-only and video-plus-text groups showed significant improvements on the PSQI, ESS, and SHI compared to the control. No significant changes were found in measured objective sleep parameters.DiscussionFindings indicate that video-based sleep hygiene education, with or without supplemental text messaging, was associated with improvements in subjective sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and sleep hygiene behaviors. However, these improvements were not reflected in objective sleep measures, highlighting a discrepancy commonly reported in sleep research.ConclusionBrief, low-cost sleep hygiene education interventions, delivered through video or a combination of video and text messaging, may improve perceived sleep quality and sleep-related behaviors in older adults.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1691035</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1691035</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Divergent effects of sleep efficiency and sleep medication on episodic memory in mid to late life]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Suhani Amin</author><author>Dokyung Yoon</author><author>Rahul Naveen</author><author>Yaseen El-Magharbel</author><author>Anya Vincent</author><author>Jessie Chih-Yuan Chien</author><author>Teal S. Eich</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesDifferent aspects of sleep quality are known to decline with age, and these changes have been shown to impact performance across multiple cognitive domains. However, despite a growing body of literature, the impact of changes to quality of sleep on episodic memory remains elusive, with some studies finding effects and others failing to find a relation.MethodsIn this study, participants [N = 173, mean age = 65.30, range = [45–88]], completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as well as three episodic memory tests (verbal and visual episodic memory and pattern separation).ResultsWe found that worse sleep efficiency was associated with worse overall episodic memory. Further, medication use had a positive effect on verbal, pattern separation, and overall episodic memory. Findings occurred in an age-dependent manner.ConclusionsThese results underscore the complexity of sleep–memory interactions and suggest that certain aspects of episodic memory may be more sensitive to specific components of sleep quality than others, particularly as individuals age.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1658555</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1658555</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Treating war- and conflict-related nightmares in children and youth: outcomes of a school-based intervention]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-08T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jon Håkon Schultz</author><author>June Forsberg</author><author>Eva Alisic</author><author>Safwat Diab</author><author>Gerlinde Harb</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionRecurrent nightmares often severely impair the quality of life, school functioning, and daily functioning of trauma-exposed children and adolescents. However, research to date is limited for treatments focused on reducing the impact of posttraumatic nightmares among youth in conflict zones. This study aimed to investigate the outcome of the Better Learning Program 3 (BLP) as it was implemented in over 100 schools in Gaza (2012–2017).MethodsTreatment outcome was investigated in an open trial among war- and conflict-exposed students (6–17 years of age) in Gaza (N = 1093). All participants sought help with nightmares and sleep disturbance and reported recurrent traumatic nightmares on average 4.86 nights per week. The intervention was inspired by imagery rehearsal therapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.ResultsStudents experienced significant week-to-week reductions in reported nightmares throughout the 8-week intervention. Approximately half of the participants reported no nightmares post-treatment, and a further 47% reported a reduction in nightmare frequency. In a 10-month follow-up, 42% of a smaller sample (n = 215) maintained treatment gains and remained free of nightmares, whereas 42% maintained a reduction of nightmares to one or two per week. Students with relapse responded effectively to booster sessions offered after follow-up.DiscussionThe current study demonstrates the apparent success of this school-based treatment, showing that it is both feasible to intervene directly with students' nightmare disturbance and to significantly reduce their nightmare frequency.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1722530</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsle.2025.1722530</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A pilot bedtime routine intervention for toddlers in primary care: variation by caregiver educational attainment]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jodi A. Mindell</author><author>Joey Tsz Ying Lam</author><author>Zainab Salih</author><author>Megan Heere</author><author>Ariel A. Williamson</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundA consistent bedtime routine (≥5 nights per week) is an empirically supported intervention associated with better sleep outcomes. However, few studies have examined the impacts of a bedtime routine on outcomes beyond sleep, and among families of lower educational attainment.ObjectiveThis pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) examined initial outcomes (sleep, development, caregiver stress), feasibility, and acceptability of a primary care-based bedtime routine intervention for toddlers, and explored variation in outcomes by caregiver educational attainment.MethodCaregivers of 86 toddlers (Mage = 12.89 months, 67.4% Black/African American, 23.3% Hispanic/Latine; United States) were randomly assigned to a bedtime routine intervention or usual care at their 12-month well-child visit (age-based preventative care). At their 15- and 24-month well visits, child sleep (Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire–R SF), social-emotional development (Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment), caregiver stress (Parenting Stress Inventory-SF), and intervention acceptability were assessed.ResultsThere were no differences in outcomes between the groups, however, the intervention positively impacted sleep consolidation, social-emotional outcomes, and caregiver stress, primarily at 24 months of age, for toddlers of caregivers with lower educational attainment. Additionally, families in the intervention were more likely to include reading in their bedtime routine at 15 months. Caregivers assigned to the intervention also reported strong acceptability and 85% completed both sessions.ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that bedtime routine intervention for toddlers is acceptable, feasible, and results in increased integration of reading at 15 months of age. Caregivers of lower educational attainment in the intervention condition reported improvements in aspects of child sleep health, social-emotional concerns, and caregiver stress, highlighting the potential for this intervention to reduce sleep health disparities. Future research should continue to examine potential bedtime routine benefits beyond sleep in larger-scale RCTs.]]></description>
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