Role of Nurses in Promoting Sleep Hygiene: Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Sleep is a fundamental biological process that is essential for maintaining physical, psychological, and cognitive health. Adequate sleep supports immune function, metabolic regulation, tissue repair, emotional stability, and memory consolidation. Sleep disturbances have become increasingly prevalent worldwide owing to urbanization, technological advancements, chronic diseases, psychological stress, and changing lifestyles. Poor sleep quality is associated with cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, depression, anxiety, impaired immunity, and reduced quality of life. Nurses are uniquely positioned to identify sleep disturbances, implement evidence-based interventions, and educate patients regarding healthy sleep behaviours.

Objective: To systematically review current evidence regarding the role of nurses in promoting sleep hygiene and evaluate evidence-based nursing interventions that improve sleep quality among patients across different healthcare settings.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) statement. Electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, were searched for studies published between January 2015 and June 2026. Studies evaluating nursing interventions aimed at improving sleep hygiene were included. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools.

Results: The reviewed evidence demonstrates that nurses play a significant role in improving sleep quality through comprehensive assessment, individualized patient education, environmental modification, pain management, behavioural interventions, relaxation therapy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Nursing-led non-pharmacological interventions consistently improved sleep quality, reduced sleep latency, minimized nocturnal awakenings, and decreased the use of sedative medications.

Conclusion: Sleep hygiene promotion is an integral component of holistic nursing care. Integrating standardized sleep assessment and evidence-based nursing interventions into routine clinical practice can improve patient outcomes, accelerate recovery, and enhance quality of life.