Kontakt X:X | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2025.043

Enhancing sleep quality in hospitalized children and adolescentsNursing - Review article

Špela Čuš¹, Barbara Kegl², Petra Klanjšek^{2, *}

¹ Dom upokojencev Ptuj, Enota Žabjak, Ptuj, Slovenia

² University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Maribor, Slovenia

Background: Sleep is vital for maintaining a child's well-being, health, and brain development. During hospitalization, it is disrupted by external and internal factors. The purpose of this review article is to investigate possible ways and interventions to improve sleep quality in hospitalized children and adolescents.

Methods: We conducted a literature review, using databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect, following PRISMA guidelines. We used the descriptive method. Data synthesis involved content analysis.

Results: Of the 279 identified studies, 12 were included in the final analysis. The identified subcategories for interventions to improve the quality of sleep in hospitalized children and adolescents were: (1) kangaroo care and gentle human touch; (2) relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy, play and physical activity; (3) illuminated musical mobile, lullabies and bedtime stories; (4) sleep intervention, compared to standard care during chemotherapy treatment; (5) adjustment of the hospital environment; raising awareness and education, and pharmacological interventions.

Conclusion: There are not many studies that focus on sleep in hospitalized children, they mainly focus on adult hospitalized patients or children in their home. There are many approaches to improving sleep, all of which are crucial for promoting healthy sleep. However, additional research of this topic and interventions can help further improve the quality of sleep of hospitalized children.

Keywords: Hospital; Interventions; Paediatric patients; Sleep

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: May 23, 2025; Revised: August 27, 2025; Accepted: September 22, 2025; Prepublished online: September 23, 2025