Sleep Quality of Family Caregivers of Children With Tracheostomies or Home Ventilators: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Family caregivers of children with tracheostomies or home ventilators are more likely to experience poor sleep quality when undertaking the full responsibility of caring for fragile children. This scoping review aimed to identify the sleep quality, related factors, and their impact on the health of family caregivers of children with tracheostomies or home ventilators. The included studies ( N = 16) were retrieved through PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Family caregivers’ sleep were low in quality, frequently disturbed, and insufficient. Their sleep quality was related to fatigue, anxiety, depression, family functioning, and health-related quality of life. The sleep disturbing factors were classified as child, caregiver, or environment-related, which were mutually interrelated. This review emphasizes the need to develop nursing interventions to both improve the sleep quality of family caregivers and the health of children with tracheostomies or home ventilators based on an in-depth understanding of the family’s context.

Advancing Family Science Through Synthesis Research

“…Parenting in the context of a health-related challenge was the focus of three reviews (Lee et al, 2023;Thompson et al, 2023;Yamaguchi et al, 2023). Thompson et al completed an integrative review of parental decision-making related to the timing of the introduction of complementary foods (i.e., solids), factors influencing decision-making, and information sources.…”

“…In contrast to the Thompson et al (2023) review of a normative transition, Lee et al (2023) and Yamaguchi et al (2023) completed scoping reviews of parenting in the context of serious illnesses. Lee et al examined sleep quality in parents of children with tracheostomies or home ventilators, providing evidence of poor sleep quality leading to negative consequences for parents' health, quality of life, and family relationships.…”

Home ventilation in low resource settings: Learning to do more, with less

“…3,[34][35][36] In addition, increased mental health and sleep disturbances are reported in caregivers with children on LTV. [37][38][39] The high demands related to the care of children on LTV children therefore pose a significant risk factor for triggering poor mental health outcomes in caregivers and their families. Careful evaluation and screening for potential stressors in the family and social environment is necessary as part of the decision-making to establish the feasibility of LTV, especially if there are pre-existing mental health or substance abuse disorders 3.9…”