Behavioral Treatments for Pediatric Insomnia

Abstract

Pediatric insomnia, defined as chronic and clinically significant difficulty with initiating and/or maintaining sleep in children and adolescents, can profoundly impact functioning and well-being on both the child and their family. Behavioral interventions for insomnia in pediatric populations have been shown to be highly effective. This review expands upon this growing literature by summarizing the studies that have examined behavioral treatments for insomnia in children and adolescents published since 2013. Three themes emerge: (1) how pediatric insomnia is being treated in health settings; (2) efforts to adapt treatment to unique patient populations; and (3) the development of novel delivery methods for effective dissemination of treatment. Recommendations for important future clinical research questions are discussed.