Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40701602›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Cognitive behavioural therapy and related interventions for sleep disorders in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Qianyi Zhai, Yuxin Wu, Yinan Wu, Youyou Ji, Yutong Li, Ronglin Xu, Yi Zhong, Bin Xiao, Lanshu Zhou

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Qianyi ZhaiSchool of Nursing, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Yuxin WuSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Yinan WuSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Youyou JiSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Yutong LiSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Ronglin XuSchool of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Yi ZhongSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Bin XiaoSchool of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China tcmxiao@msn.cn zhoulanshu@hotmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9824-5695
Lanshu ZhouSchool of Nursing, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China tcmxiao@msn.cn zhoulanshu@hotmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviours, often accompanied by sleep disturbances. These sleep problems, including prolonged sleep latency and fragmented sleep, affect more than half of autistic individuals, exacerbating functional impairments and diminishing quality of life. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown promise in addressing sleep disturbances in ASD, with preliminary studies indicating improvements in sleep quality. However, no systematic review has comprehensively summarised the effects of CBT on sleep in autistic individuals. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This systematic review and meta-analysis will synthesise evidence on the efficacy of CBT for improving sleep quality in individuals with ASD. We will search multiple databases (eg, PubMed, Web of Science) for studies published until May 2025. Inclusion criteria encompass randomised controlled trials, single-arm studies and observational studies involving children and adults with ASD and moderate sleep problems. Interventions targeting sleep quality using CBT techniques will be considered. Data extraction will focus on study details, participant information, intervention specifics and sleep outcome measures (eg, total sleep time, sleep onset latency, etc). Risk of bias will be assessed using tools such as Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool V.2, Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies-of Interventions and Review Manager 5.3. A meta-analysis will be conducted using Stata 18, with heterogeneity evaluated using the I² statistic and Cochran's Q test. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Given that the dataset for this investigation is derived from publicly accessible databases, there is no direct interaction with patients; thus, ethical approval is not required. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42025643701.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderCognitive Behavioral TherapySleep Wake DisordersAdultChildHumansMeta-Analysis as TopicResearch DesignSystematic Reviews as TopicDevelopmental neurology & neurodisabilityMENTAL HEALTHProtocols & guidelinesSleep medicineSLEEP MEDICINE

Identifiers

PMID40701602
PMCPMC12306278

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.