• 27/08/2026
• News
• Rachel Bottomley
• 0 Comments

During 2025, our senior physiotherapist Lesley Nutton joined a team of specialists and researchers looking into the treatment of sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy.

The research, led by specialists from the Universities of Glasgow and Leicester, aimed to review a range of treatments and assess how safe, effective, and affordable they are.

Lesley Nutton, Senior Physiotherapist, Cerebral Palsy Scotland:

“Sleep is a topic that comes up for us regularly when supporting people with cerebral palsy of all ages. We know that sleep is essential for good health and wellbeing, but generic sleep advice isn’t always suitable for families affected by cerebral palsy. It doesn’t take into account an individual’s specific and often unique needs.

We were already planning to develop guidance for parents and carers on the topic, so this was an ideal opportunity to look at the research in more detail and make sure the guidance we provide is informed by the best evidence available.”

During the study, researchers examined 12 clinical trials involving children aged 5 to 17, and consulted with experts and people affected by cerebral palsy.

What the study found

While there is some positive evidence that melatonin may improve how quickly children fall asleep and how long they sleep, other treatments showed mixed or very small improvements.

Experts highlighted that sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy can have many different causes and may be linked to other health conditions. They said future research should take these wider factors into account.

Overall, the review found that the evidence remains limited and uncertain. The researchers call for larger, better-designed studies which are urgently needed to determine which treatments are most effective, safe and affordable for children with cerebral palsy.

You can read the study, published by Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology online here: Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology – Wiley Online Library