Abstract
Background: Sleep dysfunction is prevalent amongst a variety of sub-populations of children and youth between the ages of 0-18 years. Adequate sleep quality and quantity is a necessity for typical child development. Sleep hygiene interventions are important for occupational therapists to consider when optimizing occupational participation and performance for children and youth in various aspects of their life, including improving sleep outcomes, as sleep is an occupation that impacts quality of life. AIM: This critically appraised topic (CAT) is aimed at determining the effectiveness of sleep hygiene interventions for improving sleep outcomes for children and youth. METHODS: Research studies including level 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, Level 4 published in the last 10 years included children aged 0-18, for sleep hygiene interventions to improve sleep outcomes. RESULTS: Multiple levels of research have proved the effectiveness of creating a bedtime routine, providing parent education, and sleep programs in schools that includes sleep hygiene and sleep practices for improved sleep outcomes of increased sleep quality, decreased night waking's, sleep latency, sleep environment, sleep onset time, and sleep stability.