Paul Montgomery
The relative efficacy of two brief treatments for sleep problems in young learning disabled (mentally retarded) children: a randomised controlled trial
bbackgroundb settling night waking problems particularly prevalent persistent generally considered difficult treat children learning disability although intervention trials scarce resources however limit access proven behavioural treatments baimsb investigate efficacy media based brief behavioural treatment sleep problems children comparing 1 facetoface delivered treatment versus control 2 booklet delivered treatment versus controls bmethodsb parents 66 severely learning disabled children aged 28 years settling andor night waking problems took part randomised controlled trial waitlist control group behavioural treatments presented either conventionally facetoface means 14 page easy read illustrated booklet composite sleep disturbance score derived sleep diaries kept parents bresultsb forms treatment almost equally effective compared controls two thirds children taking 30 minutes settle five times per week waking night 30 minutes four times per week improved average settling night waking problems minutes twice per week h 34174 df 2 plt0001 improvements maintained six months bconclusionsb booklet delivered behavioural treatments sleep problems effective facetoface treatment children population