Sleep problems in physically disabled children and burden on caregivers

The present study was implemented to investigate relationships between sleep problems in physically disabled children and sleep quality and perceived burden of caregivers.

Subjects comprised 100 caregivers of disabled children, including 96 mothers, 2 fathers and 2 grandmothers. Questionnaires included demographic data for children and caregivers, sleep problems of children, and sleep quality (Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI)) and perceived burden on caregivers (Japanese version of the Zarit Burden Interview (J-ZBI)). The sleep problems of children were evaluated according to the following five categories: "Problems initiating and maintaining sleep"; "Problems with sleep-related breathing"; "Problems with excessive somnolence"; "Problems with circadian rhythm"; and "Problems with sleep-related movement".

The children comprised 66 boys and 34 girls (age range, 1-17 years). Of these, 65 children could not sit up and 35 could. A total of 88 children were found to have one or more categories of sleep problems. The most common sleep problem was "Problems initiating and maintaining sleep" (64.8%), followed by "Problems with sleep-related movement" (59.1%). J-ZBI was significantly higher in caregivers of children with "Problems initiating and maintaining sleep". PSQI scores were significantly higher in caregivers of children with "Problems with sleep-related breathing" and "Problems with circadian rhythm". A significant correlation was identified between perceived J-ZBI and PSQI of the caregiver.

Increased focus on the sleep problems of disabled children is needed, particularly in relation to the sleep quality and perceived burden of caregivers.