Sleep disturbances in hospitalized patients with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the relationship between nocturnal disturbances and sleep (length and quality) in hospitalized patients with cancer.


METHODS
Descriptive, correlational.


METHODS
A regional oncology center located in a large teaching hospital.


METHODS
Fifty hospitalized patients with cancer (58% female, x age = 48 years), all with solid tumors.


METHODS
The investigator observed and recorded the number and characteristics of nocturnal disturbances using the Sleep Environment Observation Tool and the Taxonomy of Patient Participation. Patients completed the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale, which measures perceived sleep length and quality.


METHODS
Number and timing of nocturnal disturbances, patient participation in care, sleep length, and sleep quality.


RESULTS
Number and total duration of nocturnal disturbances as well as level of patient participation in nocturnal care were negatively correlated with sleep quality. Sleep length was not correlated with any other variable.


CONCLUSIONS
Nocturnal disturbances had a negative effect on sleep quality.


CONCLUSIONS
The number and duration of disturbances and the level of patient participation in care should be minimized during nighttime hours.
Sheely
L C
LC
School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing; D009511:New England; D009551:Night Care; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing