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Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Impacts of Sleep Disturbances in Patients With Primary Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review Publisher Pubmed



Emamzadeh N1 ; Abbasi F2 ; Delfan N3, 4 ; Etemadi MH5 ; Iranmehr A6
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Iran
  3. 3. Collage of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Neuraitex Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Students Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Neurosurgery, Sina hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Neurosurgical Review Published:2025


Abstract

Sleep disturbances are common in patients with primary brain tumors (PBT), significantly affecting their health-related quality of life (QoL), emotional well-being, cognitive function, and clinical outcomes. These disturbances not only impact the patients themselves but also place a burden on their families and caregivers. Despite growing recognition of these problems, a comprehensive understanding of their prevalence, severity, and risk factors remains limited. This systematic review aimed to update the evidence on sleep disturbances in PBT patients, focusing on prevalence, risk factors, and management strategies. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for studies published from September 2015 to June 2024. Eligible studies assessed sleep disturbances in adult PBT patients using validated methods. Studies with mixed-cancer samples, pediatric patients, or lacking validated sleep assessments were excluded. A total of 11 studies were included, revealing high rates of sleep disturbances, ranging from 9.2% to over 60%, varying by tumor type and treatment stage. Key risk factors included older age, female gender, certain tumor types (e.g., pituitary), perioperative sleep quality, and psychological distress. Sleep disturbances were linked to worse clinical outcomes, including higher mortality and burden. Addressing sleep disturbances through routine assessment and targeted interventions is essential for improving outcomes in this population. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.