Sleep disorders affect a large portion of those with autism spectrum disorder. Behavioural interventions have been found to increase appropriate sleep behaviours. This study sought to examine the efficacy of two stimulus control interventions (bedtime fading and positive routines) on total sleep duration, sleep onset latency and frequency and duration of night wakings for children with autism using two multiple baseline designs. Secondary dependent variables, namely, educational opportunities, challenging behaviours, parent acceptance and social validity were also analysed. Results suggest some efficacy for both interventions. Increased total sleep duration and decreased sleep onset latency were achieved with bedtime fading. Positive routines showed mixed results with decreased sleep onset latency and increased total sleep duration for two of three participants.

Objectives Families impacted by paediatric cancer are met with logistical, financial and psychological impacts, with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two creating additional barriers and stressors for these families. Connected Health (CH) may facilitate cancer care. The objective of the present study was to systematically review CH for families/informal caregivers affected by paediatric cancer. Methods Using search terms relating to: (1) paediatric cancer, (2) family/caregivers and (3) CH, the databases of PsycINFO, Pubmed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched. Inclusion criteria included an evaluation of CH technologies for supportive care for families/caregivers affected by paediatric cancer at any stage of treatment or survivorship. Results Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. CH was primarily web‐based (n = 6), however smartphone applications (n = 5), telehealth (n = 2) and online groups (n = 3) were utilised. Intervention areas included psycho‐social (n = 6), health and information provision (n = 8) and palliative care (n = 2). Conclusions While limited studies have evaluated the impact of CH on families living with paediatric cancer, emerging evidence suggests potential benefits. More evidenced‐based interventions are required.

Background: Caregivers of children may rely on internet sources, health care providers, peers or family for health information.Objective: To examine the impact of sociodemographic factors on the use of the internet for health information by caregivers of children, and the impact on self-efficacy, effort and frustration.Methods: Using data from the 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey, the effects of information source on self-efficacy, effort and frustration was examined using the complex samples module of SPSS. Results: The internet was the most common source of health information for caregivers of children (n = 247), with high confidence, low frustration and effort reported. Younger, higher educated and higher income caregivers were significantly more likely to use the internet for health information. Information from Health Care Providers (HCPs) was associated with greater confidence, and information from peers associated with lesser effort and frustration. No significant effects on self-efficacy, effort or frustration for online health information was noted compared to other sources.Conclusions: Efforts to reduce barriers to online health information may be required for some groups of caregivers, and health care providers may have a role to play in this.

Aim As healthcare systems are increasingly burdened, the efficiencies and cost savings offered by connected health (CH, i.e. two-way communicative healthcare technologies such as eHealth or mHealth) present an attractive solution for supporting families impacted by cancer. More research is required, however, to examine attitudes towards CH to better facilitate its use in practice. This study seeks to examine the utility, barriers and facilitators of CH use for families affected by paediatric cancer living in Ireland. Methods Healthcare professionals (n = 5) and parents of children with cancer (n = 7) completed semi-structured interviews on their experiences of and attitudes to CH via Microsoft Teams. A reflexive thematic approach to analysis was employed. Results CH was perceived to provide support for a number of current needs with themes of ‘shifting responsibilities’, ‘individualisation of care’ and ‘knowledge as power’. Through facilitating communication, information sharing and monitoring of child health, CH was perceived to support decreased parental burden and increased parental control, with positive child outcomes thought likely. Perceived barriers and facilitators to the use of CH included the ‘importance of trust’, ‘pace of change’ and ‘access’. Conclusion While results suggest an acceptance of CH across key stakeholders, barriers and facilitators should be considered to support effective implementation. While further analysis of the efficacy of CH to support families impacted by paediatric cancer is needed, these findings highlight key areas where CH may be effectively employed.

While Connected Health (CH) presents an attractive solution to supporting those with paediatric cancer within a burdened healthcare system, uptake has been limited in practice. This study explored the extent to which attitudes towards CH and the ability to identify evidence-based CH interventions could be predicted by technology usage and eHealth literacy for parents of children with cancer and their Health Care Providers (HCPs). A survey of 85 parents and HCPs was conducted consisting of measures of eHealth literacy, attitude towards online sources, electronic device/internet usage and evaluations of existing CH technologies. While respondents frequently interacted with online supports, CH use was limited (30.8%). Multiple regression and t-test analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between technology usage and eHealth literacy on CH use, attitude and perceived quality. Positive attitudes towards CH and strong eHealth literacy skills were found, however, those who had not used CH had significantly lower eHealth literacy than those who had (t(74)=2.08, p=.04 (two-tailed). Further, eHealth Literacy and device use significantly impacted attitude (F(3,75)=12.01, p<.001) and trust in higher quality CH applications (F (2,58)=3.87, p=.03). This suggests that eHealth literacy and device access play a crucial role in facilitating CH use for stakeholders in paediatric cancer. Consideration of how best to support those with differing eHealth literacy when developing CH technologies is needed to support effective employment in practice.