Agar Georgie, Oliver Chris, Richards Caroline
School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Behav Sleep Med. 2023 May-Jun;21(3):254-272. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2022.2076681. Epub 2022 Jul 7.
Explanatory models of behavioral insomnia typically draw on operant learning theory with behavioral techniques focused on altering parent-child interactions to improve sleep. However, there are no data describing parent-child interactions overnight beyond parent report. In this study we used radio frequency identification technology to quantify parent-child proximity overnight in two groups at elevated risk of behavioral insomnia, Angelman syndrome (AS) and Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS).
Nineteen children aged 4-15 years (8 with AS, 11 with SMS) participated in a week-long at-home assessment of sleep and overnight parent-child proximity. Sleep parameters were recorded using the Philips Actiwatch 2 and proximity data were recorded using custom-built radio frequency identification watches.
Three patterns of proximity data between parent-child dyads overnight were evident: "checking" (six with AS, five with SMS), "co-sleeping" (four with SMS) and those who had "no proximity" overnight (two with AS, two with SMS). In the AS group, 25.45% of actigraphy-defined wakes resulted in a parent-child interaction. In the SMS group, 39.34% of wakes resulted in a parent-child interaction. Children who interacted with their parents when settling to sleep were not significantly more likely to interact at waking.
The novel application of radio frequency identification technology is a feasible method for studying overnight parent-child proximity. Profiles of proximity between participants that are not closely aligned with operant models of behavioral insomnia were evident. These results have significant implications for the etiology of poor sleep and the application of behavioral sleep interventions.
行为性失眠的解释模型通常借鉴操作性学习理论，其行为技术侧重于改变亲子互动以改善睡眠。然而，除了家长报告外，尚无关于夜间亲子互动的数据。在本研究中，我们使用射频识别技术对两组有行为性失眠高风险的儿童——天使综合征（AS）和史密斯-马吉尼斯综合征（SMS）——的夜间亲子接近程度进行量化。
19名4至15岁的儿童（8名患有AS，11名患有SMS）参与了为期一周的在家睡眠及夜间亲子接近程度评估。使用飞利浦Actiwatch 2记录睡眠参数，使用定制的射频识别手表记录接近程度数据。
夜间亲子二元组之间的接近程度数据呈现出三种模式：“检查”（6名AS患儿，5名SMS患儿）、“同睡”（4名SMS患儿）以及夜间“无接近”（2名AS患儿，2名SMS患儿）。在AS组中，25.45%的活动记录仪定义的觉醒导致了亲子互动。在SMS组中，39.34%的觉醒导致了亲子互动。入睡时与父母互动的儿童在醒来时互动的可能性并未显著增加。
射频识别技术的新颖应用是研究夜间亲子接近程度的一种可行方法。参与者之间的接近程度概况与行为性失眠的操作性模型并不紧密相符。这些结果对睡眠不佳的病因及行为性睡眠干预的应用具有重要意义。
