Sleep Buddy (DISCA) (CPMS 66477, IRAS 349971)

UPDATED - 04/11/2026

STUDY SUMMARY

Almost 75% of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have sleep problems. Parents and carers tell us that poor sleep makes their children’s daytime behaviour and schoolwork worse and affects the quality of life of the whole family.

The aim of this study is to see if our new website Sleep Buddy, can help parents/carers of children aged 6-12 years with a diagnosis of ADHD, to improve their child’s sleep.

Sleep Buddy was developed by parents and carers of children with ADHD working with sleep experts. It has personalised information and advice on how primary caregivers can manage their child’s sleep problems with videos and top tips from other parents. The website will help primary caregivers to create a sleep plan to help their child’s sleep.

The study will last for 6 months, and over 300 people will take part. The study can be completed online.

Parents or carers taking part will be put into one of two groups. One group will have access to the Sleep Buddy website for 6 months. The other group will not, but will continue to receive the health care and support that they have always been given. This group will also get access to the website after 6 months, at the end of the research project.

At the start of the study, both groups will be asked to fill out a short sleep diary online every morning for 10 Days. They will also complete some questionnaires online and some with a study researcher on video chat. The child will be invited to complete some computer-based attention and memory tasks, with the support of one of our researchers. All participants will complete the sleep diary, questionnaires and tasks at month 3 and month 6.

Inclusion Criteria

Child aged 6-12 years inclusive Diagnosis of ADHD (including ADD) Child meets the criteria for chronic insomnia based on primary carer report (sleep onset latency > 30 minutes for > 3 nights/week for > 3 months) Sufficient understanding of English by primary carer to allow access to the digital sleep intervention (our digital interventions are aimed at a reading age of 11y so will be accessible to adults with English as a second language)

Exclusion Criteria

Child has sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder Child has severe learning disabilities Child with physical ill health or disability likely to require admission to hospital during the 6-month trial period. Child with long term health problems that affect their sleep. (e.g. severe eczema or epilepsy) Primary carer has participated in the DISCA study ‘think aloud’ interviews during Sleep Buddy development

Study Resources

Access for the SystmOne and EMIS study resources can be requested below.

For further guidance on using the resources, please refer to the guidance documents and further useful information on the PRIDES page.

The searches have been created with the study specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. 

If you require any further information or help, please contact the IT Specialists:

EMIS: Jodie Button – jodie.button@nihr.ac.uk 

SystmOne:  Sharon Harper - sharon.harper2@nhs.net

Disclaimer:

Please note the resources provided are designed to assist with the identification of potentially suitable patients and to appropriately code these patients if required.

These resources have been developed based on the criteria provided by the relevant study team and whilst every effort has been made to make them universally implementable they rely on read codes and the data stored in the individual practice's clinical system. These resources are intended to assist with identification but should be used in conjunction with clinical oversight and a clear understanding of the study parameters.

While we endeavour to keep the information, tools and resources provided up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the tools provided for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

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