Edogawa University

BackgroundChildren and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience sleep problems. Although various pharmacological, behavioral, and physical interventions have demonstrated efficacy in improving sleep among children with ASD, the relative effectiveness of these interventions remains unclear.MethodsWe will conduct a systematic literature search to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological (e.g., melatonin), psychological (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy), and physical (e.g., bright light therapy) interventions for sleep problems in children with ASD. We will search PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, major trial registries, and regulatory agency websites. We will assess the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2.0) tool for primary outcome and the Risk Of Bias due to Missing Evidence in Network meta-analysis (ROB-MEN) tool for the bias due to missing network evidence. A network meta-analysis (NMA) will be performed to compare the included interventions. The primary outcome will be sleep onset latency, while secondary outcomes will include other sleep variables, all-cause dropouts, and sleep disturbances assessed using standardized measures. We will assess confidence in NMA(CINeMA).DiscussionOur NMA aims to provide evidence-based insights into the effectiveness of sleep interventions for clinicians, children with ASD, and their caregivers. This information will help guide treatment decisions and improve the quality of life for children with ASD and their families.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42024592795.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13643-026-03143-8.

Abstract Previous studies have revealed that meaningful endings cause people to experience mixed emotions. Endings are ubiquitous in various facets of our lives and can be categorised into personally meaningful (e.g., a graduation ceremony) and less personally meaningful experiences (e.g., falling flowers). However, it is unclear whether less personally meaningful endings evoke mixed emotions similar to meaningful endings. We hypothesised that awareness of endings is necessary to evoke mixed emotions irrespective of whether the endings are personally meaningful. As a less personally meaningful ending, we focused on momentary phenomena that occur in an instant. Such momentary phenomena are assumed to heighten the awareness of the ending because of their short duration, thereby intensifying mixed emotions. Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis. The results of the studies indicated that momentary phenomena evoked mixed emotions, and momentary phenomena with high fragility heightened the awareness of the ending and elicited stronger mixed emotions than those with low levels of fragility. These findings suggest that both personally meaningful and less personally meaningful endings, such as ephemeral phenomena, evoke mixed emotions. This background is related to the possibility that the fragility inherent in momentary phenomena enhances the awareness of an ending.

Abstract Background Sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations are observed during sleep-onset rapid eye movement (REM) periods (SOREMPs). SOREMPs are associated with sleep pattern disruption. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of sleep paralysis and several sleep parameters in elite athletes and control groups to determine the relationship between sleep paralysis and specific sleep characteristics.Methods Eighty-four (47 male) elite and 116 (49 male) non-athletes (controls) were recruited. A questionnaire regarding the occurrence of sleep paralysis and several sleep parameters was administered.Results A relationship between sleep paralysis and long diurnal nap frequency was revealed. A small proportion (6.5%) of participants with sleep paralysis did not routinely take long naps, while 24.3% of those without sleep paralysis did not routinely take long naps. This proportion was rather striking in athletes compared with that in non-athletes. Participants with sleep paralysis experienced more frequent sleep interruptions than those without sleep paralysis, a difference that was more pronounced in athletes than in non-athletes.Conclusion The prevalence of sleep paralysis was reported to be high among elite Japanese athletes and non-athletes, a finding that is in accordance with previous reports. Long nap routines and sleep interruptions are closely associated with sleep paralysis, especially in elite athletes. A lengthy nap routine is sometimes recommended for sleep loss compensation, especially among elite athletes; however, since the occurrence of sleep paralysis may be a sign of sleep-wake rhythm disruption, caution is suggested when recommending long nap routines, even to athletes.