RecruitingInterventional

A study to test whether a new website, Sleep Buddy, developed by doctors and psychologists, can help parents and carers of children aged 6-12 years with a diagnosis of ADHD who are experiencing sleep problems to improve their child’s sleep

This study aims to find out if a new website, Sleep Buddy, can help parents and carers of children aged 6 to 12 with ADHD who are having trouble sleeping. Around three-quarters of children with ADHD also have sleep problems, which can make their behaviour and schoolwork harder, and affect family life. Sleep Buddy was created with input from parents and sleep experts. It provides personalised advice, videos, and tips to help manage a child's sleep and create a sleep plan. The study will involve over 300 participants, mainly online, over six months. One group will use the website, while a comparison group will receive usual care, getting website access later. Everyone will help doctors understand better ways to support these children and families.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

334

Start

04 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

30 Apr 2027

Insomnia and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

What is this study about?

Many parents know that good sleep is super important for children to be at their best. But for children aged 6 to 12 who have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), falling asleep or staying asleep can be a big challenge. In fact, most children with ADHD struggle with sleep, and this can make things like paying attention in school or managing their behaviour even harder during the day. It doesn't just affect the child; it can make life tougher for the whole family.

That's why doctors and sleep experts have teamed up with parents of children with ADHD to create a new online tool called 'Sleep Buddy'. This website is packed with helpful information, advice, and tips, including videos and stories from other parents, to guide you in creating a better sleep routine for your child. The main goal of this study is to see if using the Sleep Buddy website really makes a difference in improving sleep for children with ADHD.

By taking part, you’ll be helping researchers understand the best ways to support families dealing with ADHD and sleep problems. Your involvement will help them learn if digital tools like Sleep Buddy can offer valuable support to many more families in the future.

Key takeaways

Study examines a website, 'Sleep Buddy', for ADHD children aged 6-12 with sleep problems.
Over 70% of children with ADHD struggle with sleep, impacting their daily life.
Sleep Buddy offers personalised advice and tips from experts and other parents.
The study involves online tasks over 6 months, with over 300 families taking part.
Participation helps understanding of how to best support families with ADHD and sleep issues.
Participants may receive gift vouchers for their time and contribution.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for children aged between 6 and 12 years old who have received a diagnosis of ADHD and are also experiencing ongoing sleep difficulties. Their main parent or carer needs to have a good understanding of English to be able to use the website and take part in the study activities.

There are some reasons a child might not be able to join. For instance, if they have certain other sleep-related movement problems, severe learning difficulties, or long-term health issues that severely impact their sleep (like very bad eczema or epilepsy). Also, if your child is likely to need hospital admission during the study period, they won't be able to take part. Lastly, if you, as the primary carer, have already helped with developing the Sleep Buddy website in previous interviews, you won't be able to join this study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your child aged between 6 and 12 years old?
Has your child been diagnosed with ADHD?
Does your child regularly struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep?
Do you, as the main parent or carer, have a good understanding of English?
Does your child NOT have other serious long-term health issues that severely affect their sleep (like very bad eczema or epilepsy)?
Have you NOT already helped develop the Sleep Buddy website in past interviews?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study will last for six months and can mostly be done online from your home. Over 300 families will join. You and your child will be randomly placed into one of two groups, like flipping a coin. One group will get full access to the Sleep Buddy website for the entire six months. The other group will continue with their usual healthcare and support, and will get access to the Sleep Buddy website once the study ends after six months.

At the very start, everyone will be asked to complete a short online sleep diary each morning for 10 days. You'll also fill out some online questionnaires, and some others will involve a video chat with a study researcher. Your child will be invited to do some fun computer games that test attention and memory, with a researcher guiding them. You'll repeat these questionnaires and tasks at three months and again at six months. Children who complete all their tasks can enter a draw to win a £25 gift voucher, and if you take part in additional interviews, you'll receive a £20 gift voucher.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several benefits. If you're in the group that uses the Sleep Buddy website, you'll get to try out a special tool designed by experts to help with your child's sleep. Regardless of which group you're in, you'll be helping doctors understand better ways to support children with ADHD and their sleep problems, which could benefit many families in the future. As a thank you for your child's time, they can be entered into a prize draw to win a £25 gift voucher if they complete tasks, and there are additional vouchers for interview participants. The main downside is the time commitment required. This includes filling out the 10-day sleep diary, completing questionnaires, and for your child, doing the computer tasks, as well as the time spent using the website if you're in that group. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (4)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Southampton, England
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Sheffield, England
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Beckenham, England

Common questions

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It's a condition that affects a child's behaviour, often making it harder for them to focus, control impulsive behaviour, or be overly active.

What is Sleep Buddy?

Sleep Buddy is a new website created by experts and parents. It offers personalised advice, videos, and tips to help parents manage their child's sleep problems.

How long will the study last?

The study will last for 6 months for each family taking part.

Will my child get any medicine in this study?

No, this study is about seeing if a website can help improve sleep; no new medicines are involved.

What if I don't get access to the website right away?

If you're in the comparison group, you'll still receive your usual care, and you'll get full access to the Sleep Buddy website for free after the 6-month study period ends.

How to find out more

Alannah Morgan

sleepbuddy@soton.ac.uk +44 23 8120 5589 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.