Randomized, controlled trial of a nonpharmacological intervention to improve abnormal sleep/wake patterns in nursing home residents.
OBJECTIVE
Abnormal sleep/wake patterns are common in nursing home residents. Lifestyle and environmental factors likely contribute to these poor sleep patterns. The objective of this study was to test a multidimensional, nonpharmacological intervention to improve abnormal sleep/wake patterns in nursing home residents.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Four nursing homes in the Los Angeles area.


METHODS
Residents were screened for excessive daytime sleeping (asleep > or = 15% of daytime observations) and nighttime sleep disruption (asleep < 80% of nighttime hours, according to wrist actigraphy). Four hundred ninety-two residents were screened; 339 had excessive daytime sleeping. Of these, 133 had nighttime sleep disruption and consented to participate; 120 completed baseline assessments, and 118 (77% female, mean age 86.9, 90% non-Hispanic white) were randomized to intervention versus usual care.


METHODS
Five consecutive days and nights of efforts to decrease daytime in-bed time, 30 minutes or more of daily sunlight exposure, increased physical activity, structured bedtime routine, and efforts to decrease nighttime noise and light.


METHODS
Seventy-two consecutive hours of wrist actigraphy (nighttime sleep) and structured behavioral observations (daytime sleep and participation in social and physical activities and social conversation) at baseline and repeated at follow-up while the intervention or usual care condition was in place.


RESULTS
The only effect on nighttime sleep was a modest decrease in mean duration of nighttime awakenings in intervention participants (10.6 minutes at baseline, 9.8 minutes at follow-up) versus an increase in controls (9.8 minutes at baseline, 13.8 minutes at follow-up) (F=4.27, P=.04). There were no significant effects on percentage of nighttime sleep or number of nighttime awakenings. There was a significant decrease in daytime sleeping in intervention participants (32% of daytime observations asleep at baseline, 21% at follow-up), with no change in controls (32% at baseline, 30% at follow-up; F=20.68, P<.001). Intervention participants had increased participation in social (F=22.42, P<.001) and physical (F=12.65, P=.001) activities and social conversation (F=5.04, P=.03).


CONCLUSIONS
A multidimensional, nonpharmacological intervention into lifestyle and environmental factors that likely contribute to abnormal sleep/wake patterns in nursing home residents resulted in decreased daytime sleeping and increased participation in social and physical activities and social conversation. Nonpharmacological interventions should be considered in the management of abnormal sleep/wake patterns in nursing home residents. The main effect may be a significant decrease in daytime sleeping, which may translate to an improvement in quality of life.
Alessi
Cathy A
CA
Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center; Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA. cathy.alessi@med.va.gov
Martin
Jennifer L
JL
Webber
Adam P
AP
Cynthia Kim
E
E
Harker
Judith O
JO
Josephson
Karen R
KR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome