Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
06:51

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Published on: July 27, 2022

2.2K

Exploring sleep problems in young children with cerebral palsy - A population-based study

Kristina Löwing1, Mirja Gyllensvärd1, Kristina Tedroff1

  • 1Department of Women's & Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology : EJPN : Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
|July 17, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Sleep problems affect over 40% of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Pain significantly worsens sleep, especially in children with dyskinetic CP or severe motor impairments (GMFCS-E&R V).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  • Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of sleep problems in young children with CP is crucial for targeted interventions.
  • Previous research has highlighted sleep issues in CP, but population-specific data in young age groups are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and nature of sleep problems in a population-based cohort of children aged 5-10 years with cerebral palsy (CP) in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • To explore associations between sleep problems, CP subtypes, functional motor levels, and pain.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 118 children (mean age 7.4 years) with CP.
  • Data collection included medical record review and parental telephone interviews using structured questions and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).
  • Children were categorized by CP subtype and Gross Motor Function Classification System - Expanded and Revised (GMFCS-E&R) levels.

Main Results:

  • Sleep problems were reported in 41% of the children.
  • Night-time sleep was negatively affected by pain in 80% of children experiencing sleep issues.
  • Sleep problems were more prevalent and severe in children with dyskinetic CP and those in GMFCS-E&R level V.
  • A strong correlation was found between pain-related sleep problems and the ISI total score (r=0.83, p<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Over 40% of young children with CP experience sleep problems.
  • Sleep disturbances are significantly more common and severe in children with dyskinetic CP and higher GMFCS-E&R levels.
  • Pain is a major contributing factor to sleep problems in this population, particularly in severely affected children.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cerebral palsyChildrenInsomnia severity indexPainSleep problems

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

1.1K
Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy08:26

Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Published on: January 11, 2016

12.5K

Related Concept Videos

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...
327
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...
1.0K
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
315
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:
2.6K