Examining how evening light and media affect children's sleep and emotions

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This project investigates the effects of evening light exposure from tablet devices and the type of media content on children's sleep regulation, circadian rhythms, and next-day emotional and executive functioning. A total of 200 children aged 8 to 11 will be randomly assigned to different conditions involving bright or dim screens and calming or exciting content. Each child will participate in both experimental and control weekends, where they will either use screens or engage in non-screen-based activities before bedtime. The study aims to provide insights into how screen use impacts children's sleep and emotional health.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* children between 8.0 and 11.9 year old
* Tanner stage 1 and 2
* live with their parent(s) (biological or legal guardian at least 50% of the time and has a primary role of caring for the child).
* Children who sleep between 8.5 to 11 hours per night habitually
* Children must sleep alone most nights
* parent and child able to communicate and read and write in English
* The child does not have to have access to a mobile device (tablet or Phone), but if they do, the primary device they use has to be an a) Android OS ≥5.0 either used only by the study child or shared with others, b) Amazon Fire OS ≥5.0 that only the child uses or c) an Apple iOS ≥14.0 that only the child uses.
* If the child's primary device is a Android or Amazon Fired device, the parent and child agree to install Chronicle App (Android or Amazon). If the child's primary device is an Apple device, the parent and child agree to allow us to gather usage screenshots from the primary iPad or iPhone.
* Families must live in the greater Houston area.

Exclusion Criteria:

* child blindness or colorblindness
* significant vision problems
* developmental or cognitive delays
* diagnosis of a sleep or psychiatric disorder
* diagnosed cognitive or learning impairment affecting executive functioning (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
* medical conditions that impact sleep
* taking medications that impact sleep
* travel beyond 2 time zones in the month before starting the study

Where it's running

• Children's Nutrition Research Center
  Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jennette P Moreno, PhD — Baylor College of Medicine
• Study coordinator: Insia Raza, MPH
• Email: insia.raza@bcm.edu
• Phone: 713-798-0555

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.