Study on Rest, Emotion, and Arousal in Autistic Youth
This study is looking at how sensory sensitivity, bedtime arousal, sleep problems, and daytime emotional challenges are connected in autistic children aged 6 to 10. Researchers will test a behavioral intervention called "Power Down" in a group of these children. Power Down is a bedtime routine that uses gentle massage to help calm the nervous system. The main goals are to see if Power Down can improve emotional regulation, reduce sensory over-responsivity at bedtime, and shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, all measured after 4 weeks. The study is currently recruiting 60 participants.
- Study design
- This study involves 60 participants and includes a cross-sectional study followed by a pilot intervention trial with a subset of 30 participants. The pilot study is open-label, meaning everyone knows what treatment is being given.
- What's involved
- You would complete questionnaires, attend one lab visit for sensory measurements, and collect home-based data for two weeks using daily diaries and actigraphy devices. If you are in the pilot study, you would also learn and use the Power Down protocol for two weeks, wear actigraphy devices, and complete daily diaries, followed by exit questionnaires and an interview.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- The primary outcomes, such as emotion dysregulation and sleep onset latency, are measured at 4 weeks.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Differences in Rest, Emotion, and Arousal Modulation in Youth
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Amy G Hartman, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Pittsburgh
Who to contact
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What this trial measures
- Nightly emotion dysregulation4 weeks
Average of nightly questions related to bedtime emotion dysregulation, based on Emotion Dysregulation Inventory short form, presented through the nightly sleep diary. The Emotion Dysregulation Inventory short form is 13 questions and scaled using a 5-point scale of "very severe" to "not at all" with higher scores indicating higher endorsement of each item. Average nightly scores range from 1-5. Measured across baseline (2 weeks) and intervention period (2 weeks).
- Bedtime sensory over-responsivity4 weeks
Average of nightly question within the sleep diary related to child's sensory over-responsivity behaviors during bedtime on a scale of 0-100 where larger number indicates more evidence of sensory over-responsivity, 50 indicates typical response, and lower numbers indicate less evidence of sensory over-responsivity. Averages will be collected nightly across baseline (2 weeks) and during the intervention period (2 weeks).
- Sleep onset latency4 weeks
Using reported "start of settling down" from daily sleep diaries and data from the actigraphy watch, sleep onset latency will be calculated and assessed for the child across the 2 week baseline and 2 week intervention period.