Greater sleep latency is associated with worse inhibitory control in pediatric ALL survivors
In a pilot study of 23 children aged 8-12 who were >6 months post-treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, greater objectively measured sleep latency was associated with worse inhibitory control (r = -0.42, p = 0.046). Total sleep time was positively associated with inhibitory control and attention. The study demonstrated feasibility and acceptability of home EEG-based sleep monitoring in this population.
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Greater sleep latency is associated with worse inhibitory control in pediatric ALL survivors The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Greater sleep latency is associated with worse inhibitory control in pediatric ALL survivors
This conclusion is most relevant to: Children ages 8-12 (M=10 years, SD=1.6; N=23) who were >6 months post-treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Wearable Sleep Monitoring in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Associations With Subjective Sleep Ratings and Neurocognitive Functioning. (Pediatric blood & cancer, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Sleep disturbances are common in pediatric cancer survivors
- ▸Sleep latency reflects difficulty initiating sleep
- ▸Prolonged sleep latency may impair prefrontal cortex function
- ▸Result: Greater sleep latency linked to worse inhibitory control
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Children ages 8-12 (M=10 years, SD=1.6; N=23) who were >6 months post-treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Small sample size (N=23) limits generalizability
- ▸Only two nights of sleep monitoring may not capture typical sleep patterns
- ▸No control group; single-institution feasibility study without intervention
Frequently Asked Questions
What sleep parameters were measured in this study?▼
The study measured sleep latency, total sleep time, snoring levels, and overall sleep quality using an EEG-based wearable device (Sleep ProfilerTM) over two consecutive nights at home.
How was neurocognitive functioning assessed?▼
Neurocognitive testing assessed attention, inhibitory control, working memory, and processing speed after the two nights of sleep monitoring.
What percentage of children had good quality sleep data?▼
All 23 participants wore the device both nights, and 84% of nights met the threshold for good quality EEG measurement.
Were subjective sleep ratings consistent with objective measurements?▼
No, 43.5% of subjective parent ratings fell above the threshold for sleep disturbance, while objective measures showed few children meeting recommended sleep quantity and quality thresholds.
References
- 1.Ruble K, Northrup R, Nusinov T, Jacobson LA. “Wearable Sleep Monitoring in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Associations With Subjective Sleep Ratings and Neurocognitive Functioning..” Pediatric blood & cancer, 2026. PMID: 42527959 DOI: 10.1002/1545-5017.70476