Sleep Quality and Caregiver Burden in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Summary

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong condition that affects movement and posture in children, often requiring continuous care from family members. Children with CP frequently experience sleep problems due to spasticity, pain, seizures, or behavioral difficulties. Poor sleep can negatively affect the child's health and development, as well as increase the physical and emotional burden on their caregivers. This study aims to evaluate the sleep quality of children with CP and their primary caregivers, and to examine the relationship between caregiver burden and these sleep-related factors. The study will include children aged 2 to 18 years with a diagnosis of CP and their primary caregivers (parents or legal guardians). Children's sleep patterns will be assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Their functional levels will be classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). Caregivers' sleep quality will be assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), caregiver burden with the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and psychological status with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). By identifying how sleep problems are linked with caregiver burden and psychological health, this study may provide valuable insights for developing supportive intervention programs for both children with CP and their families.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Children aged 2-18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy
* Primary caregiver (≥18 years, parent or legal guardian) responsible for the child's daily care
* Ability to read and write in Turkish
* Sufficient cognitive capacity to complete questionnaires and participate in interviews
* Voluntary agreement of both the child's caregiver and participant to join the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of severe comorbid neurological or metabolic disease in the child
* Caregiver with a history of severe psychiatric disorder or cognitive impairment
* Communication problems that prevent completion of questionnaires
* Hospitalization within the last 3 months due to acute medical condition
* Withdrawal of consent or incomplete questionnaires during the study

Conditions7

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