Effects of sleep disturbance on neuropsychological functioning in patients with pediatric brain tumor

Purpose While the effects of sleep on cognition in typically developing children are well established, there is a paucity of research in patients with pediatric brain tumor (PBT), despite their increased risk for sleep-related disturbances. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the impact of sleep factors on patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures, including adaptive and executive functioning within this population. Methods 133 patients with PBT (52% male) ages 5-23 (x = 12.8 years; SD = 4.5 years) underwent neuropsychological evaluation, including assessment of adaptive and executive functioning. Subjective sleep concerns, nocturnal sleep duration, and daytime sleep behavior were also collected and compared to age-based guidelines. Results Nearly 30% of patients endorsed subjective sleep concerns, while the sample as a whole reported reduced nocturnal sleep duration (approximately one hour below age-based recommendations). Despite the expectation for monophasic sleep by age five, nearly half of the sample reported consistent daytime napping. Inadequate sleep predicted decreased adaptive functioning, F(1, 56) = 4.23, p = .022 (R-2 = .07), as well as increased symptoms of executive dysfunction, F(1, 108) = 3.51, p = .003 (R-2 = .03). Conclusion Patients with PBT demonstrate several aspects of abnormal sleep, which are associated with poorer long-term PROs. Further exploration of diagnostic, treatment-related, and demographic variables will be needed to better understand these relationships among patients with PBT in order to inform appropriate interventions.

Automated summary

This study examined the impact of sleep factors on cognitive and executive functioning in pediatric brain tumor (PBT) patients. The results showed that PBT patients experienced sleep problems, including insufficient nocturnal sleep duration and daytime napping. Inadequate sleep was associated with decreased adaptive functioning and increased symptoms of executive dysfunction.