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This study aims to measure the mental, educational and physiological effects of sleep deprivation on adolescents and means of alleviating those effects. Participants are aged 13–18, and will spend 15 days sequestered in a study facility under the supervision of the study team. They may be in contact with parents and others via telephone and internet, but leaving the premises will constitute withdrawal from the study. Participants will be randomly assigned either a normal sleep regimen or a sleep-deprived regimen. Throughout the day and night, they will wear a movement-sensitive wristband to measure physical activity and sleep patterns. On 4 nights, sleep will be monitored via electrodes placed on their body. During the day, participants will be given regular meals (food other than that provided by researchers is not permitted), attend science education activities and undergo a battery of psychological tests intended to measure the effects of induced sleep deprivation, including effects on mental performance, anxiety and depression. They will have approximately 3 hours of free time each day to spend as they please, though they may not nap during those times in order to maintain the study’s prescribed sleep regimen. Participants will be compensated a small sum ($50) for each day in which they participate, and a bonus will be given if the participants complete the whole 15 days ($300).

Developed for use at the February 2016 CENTRES workshop on the Human Biomedical Research Act. © 2016 National University of Singapore. All rights Reserved.

Questions for Discussion

1. Is this study within the scope of the Human Biomedical Research Act?
2. From whom should consent be obtained?
3. What particular pieces of information should be included in the consent? Please pay particular attention to HBRA section 12(1)(a-d, g and n).
4. Are there other concerns related to consent in the study?