Clinical Research Directory

Charge Your Brainzzz: Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Implementation of an Integrated Approach to Improve Dutch Teenagers' Sleep Health

Poor sleep among teenagers is a major public health issue. Studies show that in the Netherlands, nearly half of adolescents don't wake up feeling rested, one in five feel sleepy during the day, one in four regularly wake up at night, 65% rate their own sleep quality as poor, and 43% sleep less than the recommended 8-10 hours per night. Over the past decade, teenagers' average sleep time has dropped by about 40 minutes. Good sleep health means having a regular sleep rhythm with about 8-10 hours of quality sleep each night. This is crucial, because poor sleep in teenagers can lead to problems with thinking, learning, concentration, and school performance. In the long run, it also increases the risk of serious health issues such as anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even dementia. Because of these risks, schools, municipalities, and public health services are calling for effective ways to prevent sleep problems among teenagers. The Dutch "Healthy School" program has recently added sleep as a core theme, but proven, practical interventions are still lacking. To address this gap, the Charge Your Brainzzz (CYB) program was developed. CYB is a comprehensive approach designed to help secondary school students improve their sleep and mental well-being. It is based on the Healthy School framework and includes all four pillars: education, environment, policy, and early detection. In 2024, a pilot study tested the CYB approach for its initial effectiveness and suitability. Early results showed positive changes in sleep outcomes and strong appreciation from both schools and students. However, before CYB can be rolled out nationwide, more evidence is needed on its effectiveness, fit with schools, and how it can be sustained over time. That's why this project will conduct a large-scale evaluation of both the impact of CYB and the processes needed for successful implementation. Alongside the effectiveness study, a practical roadmap will be co-created with schools, Healthy School Advisors, and local coordinators to ensure that CYB can be optimally implemented, sustained, and scaled up across schools, municipalities, and public health services across the Dutch public health landscape.