REST
Real-world evidence for improving sleep in teens
The REST Study
REST is a multi-arm digital sleep intervention trial targeting adolescents aged 12–16 years and their parents or caregivers. The study evaluates three intervention components: Recharge (behaviour-focused teen content on devices, light, and caffeine), Relax (relaxation and mindfulness strategies for teens), and Rest Nest (parent-focused resources), delivered primarily through short-form video reels, audio, and written content on a mobile-first web platform.
Primary outcome:
To evaluate targeted digital sleep interventions for adolescents aged 12–16 years through a 3×2 factorial randomised controlled trial with parallel data collection from teens and parents.
Background
The intervention approach was developed over 8 months based on teen screen use research, which found teens primarily consume short-form video content and prefer not to read or be lectured at.
Direct teen feedback drove the design: participants asked for content in a familiar short-video format, leading to 24–26 reels maximun 2 minutes each duration 4-6 released each week.
Sleep problems in adolescence are common and have significant impacts on mental health, academic performance, and physical wellbeing, yet few digital interventions exist targeting this age group.
REST is designed to evaluate multiple intervention components simultaneously using a factorial design, allowing researchers to determine which combinations are most effective.
The study is delivered within a purpose-built integrated database platform (Spinnaker) supporting eligibility screening, randomisation, intervention delivery, and structured longitudinal data capture.
Study design
3×2 factorial RCT with 8 randomisation groups; each participant receives 0–3 intervention components (Recharge, Relax, Rest Nest).
Target sample size of ~320 teens plus their parents/caregivers.
Study duration: 12 weeks per participant.
Randomisation stratified by age band (12.0 to <15.0 and 15.0 to <16.0).
Questionnaire timepoints: Screening → Baseline → 6 weeks → 12 weeks, with separate questionnaires for teens and parents.
Mobile-first web platform with streaming-first content delivery and engagement analytics tracking what, when, how often, and duration of resource use.
Key connections
University of Otago. Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre, Dunedin School of Medicine
Spiral project team
Product Owner & Project Manager: Amanda Daley
Data Manager: Anna Williams
Lead Developer: Stewart (Stew) Duff
Principal investigators
Professor Rachael Taylor — Director, Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre; Karitane Chair in Early Childhood Obesity; Deputy Dean, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago. Primary Investigator and primary contact.
“It is an incredibly agile environment. Whatever comes my way - I jump on it and deal with it”
Spiral’s contribution
Our Spiral Product Owner for the REST study is Amanda Daley
As a Product Owner at Spiral, Amanda oversees software development used in clinical trials. She thrives on solving complex problems and brings a logical mindset to building smarter, streamlined digital platforms.