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Sleep Disturbances and Health-Related Quality of Life in Paediatric Oncology: A Comparative Study with Non-Oncological Chronic Illness and Healthy Peers

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Sleep disturbance is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to symptom burden and functioning in paediatric oncology, yet comparative evidence across clinical and healthy populations remains limited. This study examined sleep quality and its association with HRQoL in children with cancer compared with peers with other chronic illnesses and healthy controls. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at HKCH. Participants 6-18 years were recruited by convenience sampling into three groups (oncology, chronic illness, healthy; n=50 each). Children completed the Chinese PSQI and PedsQL 4.0. Group differences were tested using chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey comparisons. Pearson correlations and hierarchical multiple linear regression examined PSQI-PedsQL associations. Results: Sleep quality differed significantly across groups (p<0.001), with the poorest sleep observed in the oncology group. The prevalence of poor sleep (PSQI≥5) was 60.0% in children with cancer, compared with 40.0% in those with chronic illness and 30.0% in healthy peers. Impairments were most pronounced in sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, and sleep disturbances. HRQoL was lowest in the oncology group (p<0.001). Across the full sample, poor sleep quality independently predicted lower HRQoL after adjustment for demographic and clinical factors (β=−0.271, p=0.002), with no significant interaction by group. Conclusions: Children with cancer reported clinically significant sleep impairment, driven mainly by reduced sleep quality and continuity. Routine sleep screening and targeted supportive interventions may improve HRQoL in paediatric oncology.

Source: Diseases

DOI: 10.3390/diseases14100356

Authors: Shuk Yan Mak, Jeanny Sui Sum Cheung, Ankie Tan Cheung, William Ho Cheung Li

Institutions: Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Language: English

Topic: Sleep and related disorders

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172