Pediatric Epilepsy and Parental Sleep Quality

Abstract

Study Objectives: To evaluate the effects of pediatric epilepsy on sleep in parents of epileptic children. Methods: Cohort design in which the sleep quality of parents of epileptic children (POEC) and parents of nonepileptic children (PONEC) in the month preceding recruitment were compared using the self-administered Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Mothers of epileptic children had a 7-fold occurrence of sleep disturbances when compared to mothers of non-epileptic children (OR = 6.66 CI 95% 1.10-70.08). The sleep characteristics that showed statistically signifi cant differences were: sleep duration, sleep continuity, and selfevaluation of sleep quality (p < 0.05 for all parameters). No signifi cant difference in sleep quality was found between fathers of epileptic children and fathers of nonepileptic children. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances are more common in mothers of epileptic children. The sleep quality of mothers to epileptic children should be considered in their comprehensive management, and if necessary, the sleep disturbance should be addressed. S C I E N T I F I C I N V E S T I g A T I O N SE pilepsy is one of the most common chronic clinical problems in the pediatric population, and appears in approximately 0.5% children. As in other chronic pediatric diseases, epilepsy has an appreciable negative impact on the quality of life in the family in general, and the parents in particular.1,2 Furthermore, epilepsy has unique characteristics that contribute to a prolonged adaptive diffi culty of the parent. This includes unpredictable stressful events, social stigma of the child and family, extended treatment regimen subject to frequent changes, and cognitive disturbances accompanying the disease and treatment. Previous research has shown that even in comparison with other chronic pediatric diseases, parents of children with epilepsy suffer from higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression, which manifest in signifi cant impairment in social, familial, and personal parental functioning. 3,4 Despite the fact that there has been research investigating the effects on the lives of the parents in chronic pediatric disease in general and pediatric epilepsy in particular, there is insuffi cient data on the effects on the sleep quality of the parents, even though this impairment is liable to be accompanied by negative repercussions.Insomnia, which may be a symptom, a sign, or a primary disturbance, is currently defi ned only as a symptom, in the presence of ≥ 1 of 4 characteristics: diffi culty in falling asleep, involuntary early awakening, diffi culty in remaining continually asleep, and unrefreshing sleep. As a syndrome, sleep diffi culties must occur in association with a complaint of impaired daytime functioning (e.g., diminished vocational functioning) and in the presence of adequate opportunity to sleep.For the purpose of this project we decided to use the ICSD-2 general criteria for insomnia that do not specify a frequency and duration for the insomnia symptoms.5 Studies of the pathophys...

A Pilot Study to Assess a Teaching Intervention to Improve Sleep–Wake Disturbances in Parents of Children Diagnosed With Epilepsy

“…The study also advised that larger, more methodological rigorous research should be performed. Shaki, Goldbart, Daniel, Fraser, and Shorer (2011) were able to support these overall findings when they evaluated sleep disturbances in a cohort of parents of epileptic children against a cohort of parents of nonepileptic children. Each group of parents was administered the PSQI, a subjective self-administered questionnaire that measures nighttime sleep quality, that reflected the month before participation in the study.…”

Parental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards children with epilepsy in Belgrade (Serbia)

“…While both parents are, inevitably, affected by onset of epilepsy in their children [26,27], it seems that mothers sustain a greater burden of care for the child [28]. In line with previous studies, it has been indicated that mothers demonstrate higher levels of strain and more sleep disturbances compared with fathers [17,29]. Because of this, it is likely that mothers become more involved in seizure-related issues.…”

Sleep and sleepiness among first‐time postpartum parents: A field‐ and laboratory‐based multimethod assessment

“…Dørheim, Bondevik, Eberhard-Gran, & Bjorvatn, 2009), culturally diverse postpartum samples (Li et al, 2011), and postpartum depression (b. Dørheim, Bondevik, Eberhard-Gran, & Bjorvatn, 2009; Okun, Hanusa, Hall, & Wisner, 2009; Okun, Luther, Prather, Perel, Wisniewski, & Wisner, 2011); it has also been used among caregiving fathers (Shaki, Goldbart, Daniel, Fraser, & Shorer, 2011). …”