Exploration of sleep habits of children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbance is very common in children with cerebral palsy. Sleep disturbances can negatively affect children’s growth and development. Moreover, children’s sleep disturbance influence on the psychological and physical functioning of the child’s family. However, according to the context of Bangladesh, there is a lack of evidence about sleep disturbance among children with cerebral palsy. Besides, there is a lack of evidence from other developing and low-and-middle-income countries. Aim: This research aimed to explore the sleep habits of children with Cerebral Palsy. Methods: The study followed a cross-sectional quantitative study design by conducting a survey among 175 participants aged 3.5-12 years, children with cerebral palsy were recruited from outpatient and inpatient units of Savar and Mirpur CRP. Child sleep disturbances were assessed with Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) scale. Data were analysed with descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test using SPSS version 26. Results: 86 preschool-aged and 89 school-aged mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy responded to the survey. 75.4% of children with cerebral palsy reported sleep disturbance. This study showed that 52.8% of school-aged and 44.3% of preschool-aged children with cerebral palsy get an adequate amount of sleep. School-aged children with cerebral palsy get an adequate amount of sleep more than preschool-aged children with cerebral palsy. This study also showed that gender is significantly associated with sleep, where girls reported more sleep disturbance than boys with cerebral palsy. On the other hand, age groups (preschool and school-age), epilepsy, medication, and types of cerebral palsy were not significantly associated with the sleep of children with cerebral palsy. Conclusions: Children with cerebral palsy have more sleep problems. Children with cerebral palsy sleep disturbances can be identified and treated on a routine basis during clinical implementation. Occupational therapists should raise awareness among the caregivers of children with cerebral palsy about their children’s sleep disturbances. Keywords: Sleep Habit, Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Disorder, and Children with Cerebral Palsy.