Understanding Sleep Challenges in Pediatric Palliative Care: A Patient-Focused Scoping Review and Implications for Practice

TL;DR

This review explores sleep problems in children receiving palliative care and highlights factors affecting sleep and ways to improve it.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into sleep challenges in pediatric palliative care by focusing on patient-centered factors and interdisciplinary approaches.

Findings

Sleep disturbances significantly affect the quality of life for children in palliative care and their families.

Key contributors include child-related factors like pain and epilepsy, and environmental factors like noise and lighting.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for improving sleep outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Abstract

Sleep disturbances are prevalent among children receiving pediatric palliative care (PPC) and have a substantial negative impact on the quality of life of both patients and their families. This scoping review aims to examine further key factors contributing to sleep disturbances in PPC by analyzing available clinical studies, focusing on child-related aspects such as pain, repositioning, and epilepsy, as well as environmental factors such as light, noise, and the care setting. In addition, we discuss the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in improving sleep outcomes for this population and provide clinical implications. Future research should prioritize developing evidence-based interventions to optimize sleep and enhance the well-being of children with PPC needs and their caregivers.