Background This work concerns the activities in the last hour before bed for young children born to first-time parents, so called bedtime routines (BTR). These activities include amongst others tooth brushing, reading a book, having a bath and avoiding food and drinks before bed. Having a set bedtime at a suitable hour is also very important. Establishing good bedtime routines has been shown to be really important for a number of health, wellbeing, development and social outcomes. Currently, there is no evidence-based bedtime routine intervention for first-time parents using a novel design (i.e. text messages). Existing research has highlighted the importance of bedtime routines and the lack of appropriate mechanisms in place for parents who sought support. Methods The proposed study includes 2 work packages. Work package 1 focuses on the development of the intervention through a combination of qualitative work (1:1 interviews with parents on barriers and facilitators on bedtime routines using the Theoretical Domains Framework) and an expert group of key stakeholders. Work package 2 involves a small-scale (n = 50) feasibility and effectiveness study to examine proof of concept with first-time parents using text messages to communicate the intervention. Quantitative information relating to uptake, engagement, retention and effectiveness of the intervention as well as qualitative information (focus groups with parents who took part in the study) will be collected. Overall, the effectiveness of the intervention will be assessed through the APEASE criteria (acceptability, practicability, effectiveness, affordability, safety, equity). Discussion This study can provide initial yet important support for further exploration in the field of bedtime routines in more complicated family structures (parents with more than 1 child, separated families etc.). Also, the implementation of a novel study design (i.e. text messages) could lead to considerable cost savings while maintaining high retention, uptake and engagement from the participants. Should the intervention meet the APEASE criteria, a more comprehensive intervention on bedtime routines for first-time parents will be explored in a more robust (RCT and longitudinal) approach. Trials registration Due to the nature of the study, no trial registration is currently in place.

中文翻译：

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使用自动短信系统进行行为改变的儿童就寝时间干预（BRIC）：早期研究的研究方案。


背景这项工作涉及首次父母所生的幼儿在睡前最后一小时的活动，即所谓的睡前惯例（BTR）。这些活动包括刷牙、读书、洗澡以及睡前避免饮食。在合适的时间设定就寝时间也非常重要。事实证明，建立良好的就寝时间对于许多健康、福祉、发展和社会成果都非常重要。目前，还没有针对初为父母的人使用新颖的设计（即短信）进行基于证据的睡前常规干预。现有的研究强调了就寝时间的重要性，以及寻求支持的父母缺乏适当的机制。方法 拟议的研究包括 2 个工作包。工作包 1 侧重于通过定性工作（使用理论领域框架就就寝时间的障碍和促进因素与家长进行 1:1 访谈）和关键利益相关者专家组相结合来制定干预措施。工作包 2 涉及一项小规模（n = 50）可行性和有效性研究，以检查首次为人父母者使用短信传达干预措施的概念验证。将收集与干预措施的吸收、参与、保留和有效性相关的定量信息以及定性信息（参与研究的家长的焦点小组）。总体而言，干预措施的有效性将通过 APEASE 标准（可接受性、实用性、有效性、可负担性、安全性、公平性）进行评估。 讨论 这项研究可以为进一步探索更复杂的家庭结构（有超过 1 个孩子的父母、分居家庭等）的就寝习惯领域提供初步但重要的支持。此外，实施新颖的研究设计（即短信）可以节省大量成本，同时保持参与者的高保留率、吸收率和参与度。如果干预措施符合 APEASE 标准，将以更稳健的（随机对照试验和纵向）方法探索对初为父母的就寝时间进行更全面的干预。试验注册 由于研究的性质，目前尚未进行试验注册。