Reducing screen time to improve sleep and mental health in children
Official title: Reducing Children's Screen Use for Better Sleep, Mental, and Brain Health: a Personalised Approach
Run by National University of Singapore · NCT05956392 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether a personalized plan to reduce screen time can help school-aged children in Singapore sleep better and feel happier.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | National University of Singapore Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Singapore) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 3, 2023 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05956392 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are Singaporean or Permanent Resident children aged 6 to 12 who habitually sleep less than 8 hours on school nights and spend more than 2 hours on media use daily.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with known sleep disorders, chronic illnesses, or developmental conditions, as well as those on long-term medications, may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized intervention designed to reduce screen time among school-aged children in Singapore, with the goal of improving their sleep duration, mood, and cognitive functioning. A total of 150 children aged 6 to 12 years will be recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will receive tailored strategies to reduce media use, or a control group. The study will take place during the school term and will involve screening parents and children for eligibility based on specific criteria related to sleep habits and media use. The approach seeks to address individual differences in screen use rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to improved sleep quality and cognitive health in children, potentially enhancing their overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous interventions targeting screen time reduction and sleep improvement have shown effectiveness, but this personalized approach is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Is a Singaporean or Permanent Resident * Speaks English * Aged between 6-12 years old * Habitually sleeps less than 8 hours during school nights * Habitually spends more than 2 hours on media use (i.e. social media, gaming, and TV / videos) on school days * Is not on any long-term medications * Has no known medical or developmental conditions that could affect sleep (e.g. asthma, arthritis, cancer, congenital heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, eczema, inflammation) * Has no history of psychiatric or neurological disorders Exclusion Criteria: \-
Where it's running
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National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: June Lo, PhD — National University of Singapore
- Study coordinator: June Lo, PhD
- Email: mdclocy@nus.edu.sg
- Phone: +65 66016137
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.