Neglected but Essential: a Scientometric Review of Psychosocial Sleep Research in Paediatric Cancer

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality among children worldwide, and its effect extends beyond physical health. A rising body of research shows that poor sleep quality in children with cancer is associated with heightened sensitivity of pain, fatigue, and adverse psychological outcomes, including anxiety and depression. Increasingly, these sleep disturbances are now recognised as part of a wider psychosocial and family context, where familial well-being and functioning are closely interconnected with child outcomes. As a result, there is growing recognition of the need to prioritise sleep assessment and intervention within paediatric oncology settings. This study presents a scientometric analysis of the evolving body of literature on sleep and psychological well-being in paediatric cancer populations, spanning the period from 1995 to 2025. The primary aim is to identify and map research trends, recognise influential publications and authors, and analyse the emerging thematic areas within the Paediatric cancer and sleep field. Using Document Co-Citation Analysis (DCA) as the main methodological approach, the study examined 706 publications retrieved from Scopus as well as their 42,593 cited references. The findings highlight an increasing emphasis on child-centred care, the pivotal role of nursing in holistic treatment approaches, and the integration of psychosocial and behavioural dimensions into long-term survivorship planning. Additionally, the results highlight the pressing need for more standardised and age-appropriate strategies for symptom management throughout paediatric cancer care.

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