0210 Feasibility of a Web-Based Sleep Health Intervention for Mothers of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Abstract Introduction Although sleep is essential for health and daily functioning, 49–87% of mothers raising children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) report sleep disturbances. We developed MORESLEEP, a theory-based, caregiver-centered web-based intervention designed to enhance sleep health knowledge and sleep-related problem-solving for mothers and their children with NDDs. The primary study aim was to evaluate feasibility (with a secondary aim to explore preliminary efficacy). Methods We conducted a quasi-experimental, single-group study with self-identified mothers of school-aged children (3–12 years) with NDDs who reported poor maternal sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index >5). Participants completed four web-based modules over three weeks covering sleep health, stress reduction, sleep hygiene, and strategies to manage sleep disturbances in mothers and children. Mothers wore actigraphy for seven consecutive days and completed questionnaires assessing maternal sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness, caregiving stress, parent-child interaction, depressive symptoms, overall health, and child sleep and behavior problems at baseline and post-intervention. Feasibility indicators included recruitment, retention, and satisfaction. Primary outcomes were actigraphy-based total sleep time (TST) and maternal sleep disturbance. Pre–post differences were examined using two-tailed paired t-tests. Results Thirty-seven mothers were screened; 24 did not meet eligibility criteria. Thirteen eligible mothers were invited, and 12 enrolled (recruitment rate = 92.3%) and completed the intervention (retention = 100%). Mothers rated MORESLEEP as effective, usable, and satisfactory. Mothers (median age 41 years [Interquartile Range (IQR) 35.5–42.5]) were primarily Black (67%) and employed full- or part-time (92%). Children (median age 9 years [IQR 7–10.5]) were mostly boys (58%) and diagnosed with autism (75%). TST increased by 28 minutes on average (p=0.0017), and maternal sleep disturbance decreased (mean difference [MD] = –8.1, p=0.0057). Depressive symptoms also decreased (MD = –4.5, p=0.0136). No significant changes were observed in the other outcomes. Conclusion MORESLEEP was feasible, acceptable, and showed preliminary efficacy for improving TST and reducing sleep disturbances among mothers of children with NDDs. A web-based sleep health intervention may be a promising approach to support sleep health in family caregivers. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings. Support (if any) This study was funded by Georgia State University’s Research Initiation Grant.