Kathryn Luedtke

Sleep and sleep ecology in the first 3 years: a web‐based study

This study was designed to provide data on sleep patterns during the first 3 years, based on a large US–Canada Internet sample, to assess the prevalence of parental interventions and related factors of infant sleep ecology and to evaluate the links between sleep ecology and sleep. Five thousand six parents completed a web‐based online questionnaire about their children, aged from birth to 36 months. The questionnaire included items pertaining to sleep patterns, sleep environment, sleep‐related parental interventions, sleep position, and demographic information. The results reflected clear sleep‐related developmental changes including a decrease in daytime sleep and total sleep time, as well as consolidation of sleep during the night, which was manifested in a decrease in night wakings and nocturnal wakefulness. Sleep ecology and parental behaviors significantly explained a portion of the variance in the child’s sleep patterns. Parental interventions that encourage independence and self‐soothing were associated with extended and more consolidated sleep, especially in comparison to more active interactions that were associated with shorter and more fragmented sleep. These findings provide parents and professionals reference data for assessing sleep in young children. Furthermore, the results provide information on specific ecological factors that are associated with increased risk for sleep problems.

Efficacy of a comprehensive program for reducing stress in women: A prospective, randomized trial

Abstract Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of a comprehensive stress management program in reducing perceived stress among women who reported moderate-to-high stress levels. Methods: A total of 562 highly motivated females, aged 25–45, with moderate to high stress levels, were enrolled in a 14-week study. Participants were randomized into one of three groups: Group 1 included Internet-based coaching focusing on behavior modification, daily use of proprietary olfactive-based personal care products, and periodic feedback reports; Group 2 consisted of only online coaching; and Group 3 had no active stress management program. Participants in the three groups filled out validated psychometric assessments at baseline and throughout the study period. Several outcomes including Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), St Mary’s Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMS), the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress (TICS), Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Short-Form-36 (SF-36) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), were measured periodically to assess changes in subject-perceived stress, stress-related comorbidities, and sleep quality and to evaluate overall program efficacy. Ethical approval of protocols was conducted by the Allendale Investigational Review Board (AIRB). Voluntary informed consent was obtained from each subject. Results: At the end of the 14-week study period, subjects in Group 1 had statistically significant improvement in the PSS score vs. Group 3 (p < 0.01). There were statistically significant improvements in other efficacy outcomes such as POMS total mood disturbance, TICS work overload and social responsibility subscales, STAI and in the number of night awakenings, assessed by the SMS questionnaire (p < 0.05). Self-reported program efficacy was also significantly higher for Group 1 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Despite study limitations, including reduction of stress in Group 3, this study demonstrates that this comprehensive stress management program is effective in reducing stress among women with moderate to high stress levels.