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.

Keywords: family; home ventilator; sleep; tracheostomy.