Physical Disability and Its Global Impact on Quality of Life, Activities of Daily Living, and Sleep Quality: A Narrative Review.

This narrative review explores the global impact of physical disability on quality of life (QOL), activities of daily living (ADL), and sleep quality. Disability encompasses impairments in body function or structure as well as limitations in daily activities and social participation, significantly affecting functional autonomy and well-being. The review highlights how physical disabilities pose challenges to independence and increase reliance on caregiving, with severity varying widely among individuals. It also addresses the critical role of sleep disturbances in exacerbating physical frailty and reducing QOL, particularly in aging populations. The review synthesizes evidence from global, Asian, and Indian contexts, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of disability and the need for comprehensive assessment tools. Gaps in current research, especially regarding integrated analysis of disability, ADL, and sleep quality globally, are identified. The review highlights the need for person-centered strategies and stronger policy frameworks to enhance health outcomes and QOL for people with physical disabilities. It offers a cross-contextual synthesis to inform evidence-based rehabilitation and policies, especially targeting adults with physical disabilities, with special emphasis on older adults given their increased vulnerability to lowered QOL and sleep disturbances, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.