P079 A new lens on preschool sleep: Using wearable cameras to capture pre-bedtime activities

Abstract

Abstract Introduction While bedtime routines are often recommended to address behavioural sleep problems in young children, these recommendations are based on parental subjective assessment of behaviours which may not be accurate. The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility of using wearable cameras to objectively measure bedtime routines and pre-bedtime screen use in preschool-aged children. Methods Sixteen children aged 3-4 years wore a GoPro video camera for two hours prior to bedtime on three consecutive evenings. Subsequent sleep parameters were monitored for seven nights by actigraphy. Standardised questionnaires and a sleep diary provided traditional measures of child sleep behaviours. Feasibility was determined by adherence to protocol and ability to develop a reliable behavioural coding scheme from the video data. Acceptability was determined through feedback questionnaires and exit interviews. Results Participant families found the cameras acceptable, with the majority of parents agreeing the cameras were easy to use (94%) and keep on their child (81%). Parents felt that wearing the camera did not change how they parented their child (88%), or their child’s behaviours (81%). A behavioural coding scheme incorporating self-care activities, nutrition, reading, physical contact and screen use (time, device type, media content) was successfully developed with interrater reliability established by two independent coders (kappa >0.8). Conclusions Wearable cameras provide a feasible and acceptable method to measure bedtime routines and screen use in preschool-aged children. This appears to be is the first study to use wearable cameras to objectively measure pre-bedtime activities in this age-group.