Improving sleep and attention in young children

Optimizing Attention and Sleep Intervention Study: A Pilot RCT to Compare Parent Behavioral Interventions With and Without Sleep Strategies Delivered in Pediatric Primary Care for Preschool-aged Children at Risk of Childhood ADHD

Not applicable Interventional University of Pittsburgh · NCT05683756

This study is testing a new sleep-focused program for parents to see if it can help young children with sleep problems and early signs of ADHD feel better.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages3 Years to 5 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Pittsburgh Academic / other
Locations7 sites (Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05683756 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot clinical effectiveness trial aims to compare a brief parent behavioral intervention (PBI) with a modified sleep-focused PBI (SF-PBI) for families of children aged 3-5 years who exhibit sleep problems and early symptoms of ADHD. The study will assess the acceptability and feasibility of the SF-PBI delivered by therapists in pediatric primary care settings. Additionally, it will evaluate changes in sleep engagement and ADHD symptoms among participants receiving the SF-PBI compared to those receiving standard PBI. This research seeks to address the link between sleep disturbances and the risk of developing ADHD in young children.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 3-5 years with reported sleep problems and at least four ADHD symptoms, along with their English-speaking caregivers.

Not a fit: Patients with sleep-interfering medical diagnoses or severe neurodevelopmental disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve sleep quality and reduce ADHD symptoms in preschool-aged children.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies targeting sleep issues in relation to ADHD have shown promise, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Parent/Caregiver:

* (1) Legal guardian is at least 18 years of age
* (2) Reads and speaks English

Child:

* (1) 3-5 years of age
* (2) Caregiver report of 4 or more ADHD symptoms
* (3) Caregiver reports child's sleep as a "moderate" or "serious problem"
* (4) English speaking
* (5) Child receives care from participating pediatric primary care office

Exclusion Criteria:

* (1) Sleep interfering medical diagnoses (e.g., narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea)
* (2) Severe neurodevelopmental disorder

Where this trial is running

Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania and 6 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior DisordersAttention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderChild, PreschoolSleepSleep Disturbance
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.