Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
04:33

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: April 26, 2024

Sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy and their relationship with maternal sleep and depression

Sarah Wayte1, Elizabeth McCaughey, Simone Holley

  • 1Division of Clinical Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|April 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children with cerebral palsy experience more sleep problems than their typically developing peers. Maternal sleep quality is also affected, correlating with maternal depression, highlighting the need for clinical identification and treatment of childhood sleep issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Sleep problems are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  • Maternal mental health and sleep quality may be associated with childhood sleep disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare sleep problems in children with CP to typically developing (TD) children.
  • To investigate the relationship between sleep problems in children with CP and maternal sleep quality and depression.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty-seven children with CP (aged 4-12) and 102 TD children were recruited.
  • Maternal sleep and mood were assessed using validated questionnaires.
  • Child sleep problems were evaluated using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire.

Main Results:

  • Children with CP exhibited significantly more sleep anxiety, night wakings, parasomnias, and sleep-disordered breathing than TD children.
  • 40% of mothers of children with CP reported poor sleep quality, with 44% experiencing depressed mood.
  • Child and maternal sleep disturbances were significantly correlated, and maternal sleep quality predicted maternal depression.

Conclusions:

  • Children with CP face greater sleep challenges compared to TD peers.
  • Maternal sleep disturbance is linked to maternal depression in mothers of children with CP.
  • Early identification and management of sleep problems in children with CP are crucial in clinical practice.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

Related Concept Videos

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking01:17

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, involves individuals engaging in activities ranging from simple walking to more complex behaviors such as driving. Sleepwalking typically occurs during the slow-wave sleep stages 3 and 4 early in the night when the person is not dreaming, contradicting the myth that sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams.
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...