A helping hand: Applying behavioural science and co-design methodology to improve hand hygiene compliance in the hospital setting.

Compliance with hand hygiene is an effective way of reducing the incidence of healthcare acquired infections (HCAI). At one London National Health Service (NHS) Trust, improving hand hygiene compliance (HHC) was a patient safety priority in response to non-compliance and ongoing occurrences of HCAI. The objective of this study was to co-design a behavioural science informed intervention to improve HHC.

Closed-Loop Therapy and Sleep in Young People Newly Diagnosed With T1D and Their Parents.

Background: A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in a young person can create vulnerability for sleep. Historically it has been rare for young people to be offered a closed-loop system soon after diagnosis meaning that studies examining sleep under these circumstances in comparison with standard treatment have not been possible. In this study, we examine sleep in young people (and their parents) who were provided with hybrid closed-loop therapy at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes versus those who receive standard treatment over a 2-year period.

Editorial: For better or for worse? Intended and unintended consequences of science communication.

Recently, more effort has been devoted to ensuring that scientific knowledge can be mobilised to make a positive impact on individuals and society. Scientists are encouraged, and even required, to communicate their findings beyond academic circles - to inform interested groups. However, there can be challenges with language use and communicating concepts; interpreting results; and from time pressure to communicate results rapidly.

Raising the barcode: improving medication safety behaviours through a behavioural science-informed feedback intervention. A quality improvement project and difference-in-difference analysis.

Barcode medication administration (BCMA) technology can improve patient safety by using scanning technology to ensure the right drug and dose are given to the right patient. Implementation can be challenging, requiring adoption of different workflows by nursing staff. In one London National Health Service trust scanning rates were lower than desired at around 0-20% of doses per ward.

Shorter night-time sleep duration and later sleep timing from infancy to adolescence.

Background: Here, we (a) examined the trajectories of night-time sleep duration, bedtime and midpoint of night-time sleep (MPS) from infancy to adolescence, and (b) explored perinatal risk factors for persistent poor sleep health.

Methods: This study used data from 12,962 participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Parent or self-reported night-time sleep duration, bedtime and wake-up time were collected from questionnaires at 6, 18 and 30 months, and at 3.

Identifying barriers to outpatient appointment attendance in patient groups at risk of inequity: a mixed methods study in a London NHS trust.

Background: There is significant health inequity in the United Kingdom (U.K.), with different populations facing challenges accessing health services, which can impact health outcomes.

Randomised controlled trial of the effects of kefir on behaviour, sleep and the microbiome in children with ADHD: a study protocol.

Introduction: Current interventions for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are primarily medication, behavioural therapy and parent training. However, research suggests dietary manipulations may provide therapeutic benefit for some. There is accumulating evidence that the gut microbiome may be atypical in ADHD, and therefore, manipulating gut bacteria in such individuals may help alleviate some of the symptoms of this condition.

Lessons Learned From COVID-19 Lockdown: An ASPED/MENA Study on Lifestyle Changes and Quality of Life During Ramadan Fasting in Children and Adolescents Living With Type 1 Diabetes.

Background: Lockdown was a unique experience that affected many aspects of life, particularly during the challenge of Ramadan fasting (RF). Studying this can increase understanding of the effects of lifestyle changes on quality of life (QoL) for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during RF.

Methods: A cross-sectional study that assessed the effect of lockdown on lifestyle and QoL on fasting children living with T1D during Ramadan in the Middle East and North Africa region (2020-2021).

The interaction between polygenic risk and environmental influences: A direct test of the 3P model of insomnia in adolescents.

Background: Stress is a universal phenomenon and one of the most common precipitants of insomnia. However, not everyone develops insomnia after experiencing a stressful life event. This study aims to test aspects of Spielman's '3P model of insomnia' (during adolescence) by exploring the extent to which: (a) insomnia symptoms are predicted by polygenic scores (PGS); (b) life events predict insomnia symptoms; (c) the interaction between PGS and life events contribute to the prediction of insomnia symptoms; (d) gene-environment interaction effects remain after controlling for sex.

Sub-types of insomnia in adolescents: Insights from a quantitative/molecular twin study.

Background: Insomnia with short sleep duration has been postulated as more severe than that accompanied by normal/long sleep length. While the short duration subtype is considered to have greater genetic influence than the other subtype, no studies have addressed this question. This study aimed to compare these subtypes in terms of: (1) the heritability of insomnia symptoms; (2) polygenic scores (PGS) for insomnia symptoms and sleep duration; (3) the associations between insomnia symptoms and a wide variety of traits/disorders.

Sleep and Mental Health Problems in Children and Adolescents.

Previous reviews have described the links between sleep and mental health extensively. In this narrative review, we focus on literature published during the last decade investigating the links between sleep and mental health difficulties in childhood and adolescence. More specifically, we focus on the mental health disorders listed in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Associations between sleep variables and ostensibly paranormal experiences and paranormal beliefs: A scoping review.

Night-time is a period of great significance for many people who report paranormal experiences. However, there is limited understanding of the associations between sleep variables and seemingly paranormal experiences and/or beliefs. The aim of this review is to improve our understanding of these associations while unifying a currently fragmented literature-base into a structured, practical review.

Isolated sleep paralysis: Clinical features, perception of aetiology, prevention and disruption strategies in a large international sample.

Study Objectives: Isolated sleep paralysis is a benign but frightening condition characterised by a temporary inability to move at sleep onset or upon awakening. Despite the prevalence of this condition, little is known concerning its clinical features, associated demographic characteristics, and prevention as well as disruption strategies.

Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted.

Behaviour genetics and sleep: A narrative review of the last decade of quantitative and molecular genetic research in humans.

During the last decade quantitative and molecular genetic research on sleep has increased considerably. New behavioural genetics techniques have marked a new era for sleep research. This paper provides a summary of the most important findings from the last ten years, on the genetic and environmental influences on sleep and sleep disorders and their associations with health-related variables (including anxiety and depression) in humans.

The associations between paranormal beliefs and sleep variables.

Previous studies have found significant associations between paranormal beliefs and sleep variables. However, these have been conducted on a small scale and are limited in the number of sleep variables investigated. This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by investigating paranormal beliefs in relation to a wide range of sleep variables in a large sample.

The role of inflammation in the prospective associations between early childhood sleep problems and ADHD at 10 years: findings from a UK birth cohort study.

Background: Several underlying mechanisms potentially account for the link between sleep and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including inflammation. However, studies so far have been cross sectional. We investigate (a) the association between early childhood sleep and probable ADHD diagnosis in childhood and (b) whether childhood circulating inflammatory markers mediate these prospective associations.

Perspectives on interpersonal touch are related to subjective sleep quality.

Affective touch has been reported for its calming effects; however, it is less clear whether touch is associated with sleep. Here, the relationship between different touch variables and self-reported sleep indicators was investigated. Data were extracted from the Touch Test, a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2020.

Trialling a microbiome-targeted dietary intervention in children with ADHD-the rationale and a non-randomised feasibility study.

Background: Dietary interventions have been previously explored in children with ADHD. Elimination diets and supplementation can produce beneficial behaviour changes, but little is known about the mechanisms mediating change. We propose that these interventions may work, in part, by causing changes in the gut microbiota.

Sleep disturbances in ADHD: investigating the contribution of polygenic liability for ADHD and sleep-related phenotypes.

Sleep disturbances are common in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and associated with poor outcomes. We tested whether, in children with ADHD, (1) polygenic liability for sleep phenotypes is over- or under-transmitted from parents, (2) this liability is linked to comorbid sleep disturbances, and (3) ADHD genetic risk is associated with comorbid sleep disturbances. We derived polygenic scores (PGS) for insomnia, chronotype, sleep duration, and ADHD, in 758 children (5-18 years old) diagnosed with ADHD and their parents.

Heritability of Sleep and Its Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence.

Purpose Of Review: This review summarizes recent literature on the heritability of sleep and sleep disorders in childhood and adolescence. We also identify gaps in the literature and priorities for future research.

Recent Findings: Findings indicate that age, measurement method, reporter, and timing of sleep measurements can influence heritability estimates.