Sleep & Pain in Juvenile Arthritis
Sleep & Pain in Juvenile Arthritis
Childhood arthritis is an important cause of pain for affected children and youth
 (adolescents). Many youth with arthritis also have trouble sleeping. They often struggle to
 sleep through the night, wake up earlier, and are sleepier during the day compared to healthy
 children. Our research group, among others, has shown a strong link between sleep and pain.
 The main purpose of this study is to assess the impact of changing sleeping patterns on pain,
 and disease activity, in teenagers with arthritis. We think that better sleep will directly
 lead to better health.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  patient in the rheumatology clinic at SickKids

 -  all subtypes of JIA, as per the ILAR criteria

 -  a baseline pain score of ≥ 1 on a visual analogue scale

 -  age from 12-18 years old

 -  capable of providing informed consent form themselves, as judged by the clinical team

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  a known sleep disorder (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea, etc.)

 -  a high probability of having obstructive sleep apnea as determined by the Pediatric
 Sleep Questionnaire

 -  currently taking medication with the intent to impact sleep (e.g., zolpidem,
 benzodiazepines, etc.)

 -  taking corticosteroids (which may adversely affect sleep)

 -  obligations that require a bed time later than 10:00 pm or a wake time earlier than
 5:30 am during the study period

 -  daily consumption of > 1 coffee or "energy drink" and/or > 3 caffeinated carbonated
 beverages

 -  do not speak/understand English with enough proficiency to complete all study related
 tasks, as judged by the clinical team