NCT06192745 · Baylor College of Medicine
SCREENS: Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Electronics in the EveNing Study
(SCREENS)
What this study is about
The proposed project aims to disentangle the impact of evening light exposure emitted from tablet devices from the impact of arousing media content on children's sleep regulation, circadian physiology and next-day emotion regulation and executive functioning.
View original scientific description
The proposed project aims to disentangle the impact of evening light exposure emitted from tablet devices from the impact of arousing media content on children's sleep regulation, circadian physiology and next-day emotion regulation and executive functioning.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
no screen control with dim light and calming activities
Non-screen-based quiet activities for 1 hour before bed in room lighting 40-50 lux
BEHAVIORAL
unfiltered Bright tablet screen
Bright light screen media exposure will be delivered on an iPad Pro provided by the research team which will be set to the brightest light intensity setting for 1 hour before bed in room lighting 40-50 lux
BEHAVIORAL
Filtered dim tablet screen
Filtered dim light screen media exposure will be delivered for 1 hour before bed in room lighting 40-50 lux on an iPad Pro provided by the research team. A blue light filter will be used to alter the spectral distribution of the emitted light and the screen brightness will be dimmed to the lowest possible setting
BEHAVIORAL
Exciting content
We will create a 1-hour recording of movie clips containing exciting content from age-appropriate movies for 8- to 11-year-old children as rated by Common Sense Media.
BEHAVIORAL
Calming Content
We will create a 1-hour recording of movie clips containing calming content from age-appropriate movies for 8- to 11-year-old children as rated by Common Sense Media.
Primary outcome measures
Differences in Sleep Duration on nights following the experimental and internal negative control exposures
Time frame: Night 9 and 16
Children will wear an Actiwatch Spectrum watch (Philips Respironics, Inc.) on the wrist of their non-dominant hand. Total sleep time are the total minute of sleep scored as sleep by the Sadeh algorithm between sleep onset and sleep offset.
Differences in Subjective Sleep Quality on nights following the experimental and internal negative
Time frame: Night 9 and 16
Visual analog scales will be used to collect subjective ratings of sleep quality and morning alertness the morning following the study condition. Participants will be asked to rate the quality of their sleep last night (very poor to very good), how difficult was it for them to wake up this morning (very easy to very hard), and how alert do you feel right now (wide awake to very sleepy).
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- children between 8.0 and 11.9 year old
- Tanner stage 1 and 2
- live with their parent(s) (biological or legal guardian at least 50% of the time and has a primary role of caring for the child).
- Children who sleep between 8.5 to 11 hours per night habitually
- Children must sleep alone most nights
- parent and child able to communicate and read and write in English
- The child does not have to have access to a mobile device (tablet or Phone), but if they do, the primary device they use has to be an a) Android OS ≥5.0 either used only by the study child or shared with others, b) Amazon Fire OS ≥5.0 that only the child uses or c) an Apple iOS ≥14.0 that only the child uses.
- If the child's primary device is a Android or Amazon Fired device, the parent and child agree to install Chronicle App (Android or Amazon). If the child's primary device is an Apple device, the parent and child agree to allow us to gather usage screenshots from the primary iPad or iPhone.
- Families must live in the greater Houston area.
Exclusion criteria
- child blindness or colorblindness
- significant vision problems
- developmental or cognitive delays
- diagnosis of a sleep or psychiatric disorder
- diagnosed cognitive or learning impairment affecting executive functioning (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
- medical conditions that impact sleep
- taking medications that impact sleep
- travel beyond 2 time zones in the month before starting the study
Where
- Houston, Texas
Collaborators
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jun 3, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations