We will essentially ask a computer to “flip a coin” to decide which group a participant will be assigned to.

Participation will last up to 17 weeks

Each participant could earn up to $180

75 participants in the ETUDES Center Pediatric Primary Care study who have difficulties with sleep and are age 12-18 will participate in this study.

All participants will schedule a virtual onboarding meeting with study staff. During this meeting, staff will push the randomization button, which will determine which intervention the teen will receive.  

• For those randomized to TSC + Sleep Feedback, onboarding will last 30–45 minutes. During this call, a study team member will review each part of the intervention in detail and explain all of the study equipment that will be sent via mail  

• For those randomized to Sleep Feedback only, onboarding will take approximately 20 minutes and include a detailed explanation about all of the study equipment that will be sent via mail  

• For all participants, a second virtual call lasting 10–20 minutes will be scheduled once the equipment is received. During this call, the teen will learn how to use the equipment and download the associated app to their phone. 

Participation looks different depending on which arm the teen is randomized to. All teens will be asked to wear an activity watch (like a FitBit) every day for 4 months, and complete sleep diaries 2x/day via text or email. 

For TSC + Sleep Feedback: Teens will

• Complete 6-8 video sessions with a sleep therapist. Each session lasts 45-60 minutes. 

• Wear bright light glasses for 30 minutes in the morning and blue light blocking glasses in the evening two hours before you plan to fall asleep. You will wear both pairs of glasses daily for about 4 months. 

• Review graphs showing your sleep/wake patterns 

For Sleep Feedback Only: Teens will 

• Review graphs showing your sleep/wake patterns 

Given the increasing independence of teens, TSC is primarily focused on teens. However, you may lean on your parent to shape or support changes to your sleep habits. You and the study team can discuss if and how to include your parent(s) to achieve your goals. As such, the level of parent participation will likely vary across participants and in some way is up to you! 

We may also loop parents in if we’re having trouble getting in touch to schedule assessments or sessions.  

Wearing the watch (actigraph) 

• Minor irritation or discomfort with wearing the actigraph (sleep watch) for a long period of time. However, it is of no greater risk than wearing a regular watch. 

Talking with a sleep therapist and answering questions about your sleep/mood

• Some people may feel distressed talking about or answering questions about their sleep and mood. The sleep therapist is a master’s level clinician, trained to help if you are distressed, or your sleep gets worse. 

• Like with any effort to change behavior, you may notice feeling sleepier or more dysregulated before you start to notice improvements. You may also feel like some sleep symptoms aren’t getting better. 

• It’s important to bring these observations up to your sleep therapist. Research shows that talking about your sleep with a sleep therapist may improve your sleep.  

Bright light glasses

• Bright light treatment is considered safer than sunlight. These glasses are commercially available and already in use in the general population. Possible side effects include headaches, eyestrain, nausea, and agitation. Often these side effects go away on their own. 

• Overexposure to bright light may cause mania in folks with bipolar disorder, but this is rare. Still, folks with bipolar disorder should not participate in TSC. 

• Please notify study staff of any side effects at any time. 

Yes, participants can wear the bright light and blue blocking glasses if they already wear glasses to correct their vision. They will fit over your glasses.