School-based sleep programs for teens: stepped-care transdiagnostic program versus standard sleep education

Comparing Two School-Based Sleep Health Interventions To Promote Sleep Quality in Youth

NA · Children's Hospital Los Angeles · NCT07213908

This project will test whether a stepped-care transdiagnostic sleep and circadian program delivered in schools helps teens (ages 12–18) sleep better than standard sleep health education.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment1320 (estimated)
Ages12 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorChildren's Hospital Los Angeles (other)
Locations2 sites (Los Angeles, California and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07213908 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a head-to-head, school-based comparative effectiveness trial randomizing adolescents to either a stepped-care Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian intervention (TS-C-STEP) or standard Sleep Health Education (SHE). Interventions are delivered in school settings and outcomes focus on sleep quality measured at post-treatment and up to 12 months follow-up. The trial enrolls a large, diverse sample and will examine whether vulnerable subgroups (socioeconomically disadvantaged, racial/ethnic minorities, rural youth, or youth with comorbid learning or mental health conditions) gain greater benefit from the stepped-care approach. Eligible participants are 12–18 years old with insomnia, evening circadian preference, short sleep duration, or poor sleep quality and who can participate in general education classrooms; youths unable to consent or engage or without necessary language fluency are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Teens aged 12–18 who report insomnia, late sleep timing, short sleep duration, or poor sleep quality and who attend general education classes are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Youth with medical or psychiatric conditions that prevent engagement in study activities, or those without required English/Spanish fluency, are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the stepped-care TS-C-STEP could produce larger and longer-lasting improvements in adolescent sleep than standard school sleep education, particularly for vulnerable groups.

How similar studies have performed: Prior trials of cognitive-behavioral and transdiagnostic sleep interventions in adolescents have shown positive effects, but stepped-care delivery in schools is less well tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 12-18 years old
* Sleep health problem (i.e. insomnia, evening circadian preference, short sleep duration, poor sleep quality)
* Able to participate in a general education classroom.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous participation in the study;
* Symptoms or illness that precludes informed consent or engagement in study procedures ; youth not fluent in English, parent not fluent in English, or Spanish.

Where this trial is running

Los Angeles, California and 1 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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Sleep, Adolescents, Schools, Cognitive Behavioral Sleep Intervention

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.