Objective To improve postoperative sleep quality in elderly patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer. Methods Eighty elderly patients with colorectal cancer undergoing radical surgery were divided into a control group and an intervention group chronologically, with 40 in each group.The control group was given routine nursing care, while the intervention group received feedforward control for postoperative sleep disturbance.Sleep quality, urine melatonin concentration, pain, and sleep indicators were compared between the two groups at different postoperative time points. Results Sleep quality at postoperative day 1 and 2, urine melatonin concentration, and sleep indicators were significantly better, whereas pain intensity was significantly milder in the intervention group than those in the control group （all P＜0.05）. Conclusion Feedforward control can improve sleep quality in elderly patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer.