Essential characteristics of sleep from the occupational science perspective

Abstract

Sleep occupation bears interesting and particular characteristics when described from the occupational science perspective. This theoretical essay examines literature from different disciplines, as well as key concepts of Occupational Science to contribute to this perspective of sleep. Firstly, the article describes sleep occupation as a pillar of health, wellbeing, and quality of life in human beings. Then, the essay focuses on how the occupation emerges in early life in the context of family routines and rituals. Daily participation and sleep are analyzed in response to two major questions that have arisen related to this occupation: how participation can be observed in an occupation characterized with periods of a reversible loss of consciousness, and how these periods could be integrated into a unique and particular occupation such as sleep. Afterward, the essay focuses on orchestration and synchronization as essential processes in the occupation. Sleep occupation meanings are described as a great contribution to people's identity and sense of belonging. Finally, sleep occupation is proposed as an occupational right. Understanding crucial sleep characteristics offer a broad vision from an occupational perspective. The possibility to examine this essential occupation for human life opens an opportunity to enrich the vision about what individuals do to sleep, how they organize it, and promote or not their health, besides how contextual elements support or not this occupation.

Infant and Parent Outcomes Related to NICU-Based Co-occupational Engagement

“…The infant’s state was not specifically recorded along with the co-occupation that they were engaging in. Sleep has been described as an essential occupation that is important for development and also for fostering a sense of belonging and identity (Leive & Morrison, 2020). The process of preparing for sleep and going to sleep is an essential co-occupation (Aubuchon-Endsley et al, 2020).…”

Program to Support Child Sleep from the Occupational Therapy Perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The intervention principles and objectives were based on the essential characteristics of sleep as an occupation 11 and those proposed by Hammel, 8 promoting the implementation of adaptive and maladaptive strategies 9 and sleep hygiene strategies, 15 adapted to the strengths, difficulties, and interests of each child with NDDs and their primary caregivers. This was a remote, intensive, and individualized intervention coordinated by 2 occupational therapists and mediated by parents.…”

“…The program was carried out by Panaacea between June 2020 and September 2021. The intervention is based on the occupational right to sleep 11 of children with NDDs and their caregivers, which implies the right to participate, to the development of potential, and to full satisfaction, according to their culture and beliefs, to receive support when perceived as necessary, and the right to equal access to sleep as an occupation.…”

Programa de Acompañamiento del Sueño en la Infancia con Terapia Ocupacional durante la pandemia por COVID-19

“…Fue llevado a cabo en la institución Panaacea entre junio de 2020 y septiembre de 2021. La intervención está fundada en el derecho ocupacional al sueño 11 de los NN-TND y sus cuidadores, lo que implica el derecho a la participación, al desarrollo de potencial y a la satisfacción plena, según su cultura y creencias, a recibir apoyo cuando sea percibido como necesario y derecho a un acceso equitativo a la ocupación de sueño. E s t e a r t í c u l o d e s c r i b e l o s r e s u l t a d o s preliminares del programa evaluando los cambios referidos por los padres en el sueño de los NN-TND a través de los resultados del Cuestionario de Hábitos de Sueño (CHS) 12 y del Diario de Sueño (DS), 13 luego de la intervención PASITO.…”