Associations Between Daytime Physical Activity and Sleep Patterns in Children With Epilepsy

BACKGROUND Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases in children. Sleep disorders tend to increase the risk of seizures, and research has found that moderate physical activity may improve the quantity and quality of sleep in adults. However, the link between physical activity level and sleep patterns in toddlers and preschool-age children with epilepsy remains unclear. PURPOSE To explore the association between level of physical activity and sleep patterns in toddlers and preschool-age children with epilepsy. METHODS A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study was conducted. Ninety-eight children with epilepsy (1.5-6 years old) wore an actigraph for seven days. Additional data were collected using a health information datasheet, Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and sleep diary, all of which were completed by the parents of each child. RESULTS The results showed that the mean amount of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day was 36.00 ± 49.20 minutes and that only 23 children (23.5%) had a nighttime sleep efficiency greater than 85%. The overall CSHQ score (56.00 ± 5.69) indicated the presence of moderate to severe sleep disturbances. Multiple regression analysis showed the hours and percentage of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to be positively associated with night sleep efficiency (β = .54, p < .01; β = .51, p < .01) and negatively associated with nighttime sleep hours (β = -.55, p < .01; β = -.52, p < .01), even after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Based on the findings, the sleep patterns and physical activity of children with epilepsy should be regularly assessed. Furthermore, appropriately increasing the duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may improve sleep efficiency and prevent reductions in the duration of night sleep.