Parents often point to bedtime as a source of frustration, yet early bedtimes and sufficient sleep are important for children's development, learning, and behavior.
Objectives: This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a yoga-based bedtime routine in a sample of parent-child dyads from a rural community.
Methods: Using a waitlist control study design, children aged 2-5 years and their parent were randomized to either intervention (yoga) or control (bedtime story) groups. Pre- and post-intervention measures included the CHAOS, CSHQ, and FNPA scales. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured by trained staff, while sleep and physical activity were tracked using accelerometry.
Results: Of the 15 dyads that completed all assessments, 13 (81.2%) completed at least 16 yoga sessions. CSHQ scores improved in both groups (Cohen's d 0.42 vs. 0.52 for intervention and control, respectively), and FNPA scores improved in the intervention group (Cohen's d = 0.4). The number of sessions completed was inversely correlated with changes in CHAOS score (r = -0.74, p = 0.003).
Discussion: These findings suggest that a yoga-based bedtime routine is feasible for families with 2-5-year-old children, with good adoption and adherence. Improvements in sleep and household chaos measures indicate that a yoga routine may be slightly more effective than a story-based one. This study provides preliminary support for further research on a yoga-based bedtime routine in a larger sample.
Keywords: Bedtime routine; Feasibility; Household chaos; Preschoolers; Yoga.
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