Health Communication for Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Indiana University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether a health communication message (infographic about obstructive sleep apnea; OSA) seen by parents whose children have OSA symptoms will be helpful in identifying children with OSA. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will parents who see this health communication message be more likely to talk to their child's health care provider about OSA? * Does the use of a health communication message help health care systems identify more children with OSA? Participants are parents and children who are patients in a specific health care center. As part of clinical care, parents will answer screening questions about OSA symptoms (e.g., snoring, sleepiness) before their child's primary care visit. If their child has OSA symptoms, the health care provider will receive an alert suggesting further evaluation and possible referral for a sleep study or to a specialist. In this study, children with OSA symptoms whose parents answer screening questions will be randomized to one of two conditions: 1) Health communication message (parent sees message before their child's visit with a primary care provider); or 2) Usual care (no information about OSA or their child's risk). Researchers will compare groups to see if the health communication message helps identify more children with OSA.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for parents of children aged 2-13.9 years who are patients at Eskenazi Health and show signs of obstructive sleep apnea, like snoring more than three nights a week plus another symptom. Children already diagnosed with OSA or referred for OSA treatment in the past two years can't participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Child is a primary care patient at Eskenazi Health

My child is between 2 and 13 years old.

Parent completed pre-visit questionnaire with OSA screening items

+1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.

I was referred for a sleep apnea evaluation in the last two years.

Participant Groups

The study tests if an infographic about obstructive sleep apnea shown to parents helps them discuss their child's symptoms with doctors, leading to better identification of OSA in kids. Parents answering screening questions will be randomly assigned to see the message or receive usual care.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Health Communication MessageExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Parents will review a health communication message (infographic) informing them that their child has OSA symptoms, describing both nighttime and daytime OSA symptoms, and encouraging them to speak to their child's primary care provider at the scheduled visit if they observe symptoms in their child. Primary care providers will receive an alert that the child screened positive for OSA.

Group II: Usual CareActive Control1 Intervention

Like in the intervention group, parents will complete screening items and primary care providers will receive an alert if the child screens positive for OSA. However, parents randomized to this condition will not view the health communication message nor receive any information about OSA or their child's risk for OSA.