Non-respiratory sleep disturbance among children with neurodisabilities is common and a range of interventions, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, have been developed to address these. Previous systematic reviews on the effectiveness of these interventions have typically focused either on particular interventions (e.g. melatonin) and/or specific sub-groups (e.g. autism). NIHR’s HTA programme has recently commissioned a holistic systematic review to identify and evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in the management of sleep disturbance across all children with neurodisabilities. Additional objectives are to synthesise evidence regarding the acceptability and feasibility of interventions, and to identify ‘promising interventions’. The review is being carried out by a team at the University of York with input from senior sleep practitioners based in paediatrics, CAMHS and the third sector. It commenced in February 2015 will take 12 months to complete. For further information, see http://www.nets.nihr.ac.uk/projects/hta/1421202 or contact Gemma Spiers ([email protected]).

 

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