title: Assessing sleep architecture in dementia caregivers at home using an ambulatory polysomnographic system.
abstract: Findings from previous research assessing sleep quality in caregivers are inconsistent due to differences in sleep assessment methods. This study evaluated sleep in dementia caregivers using a comprehensive sleep assessment utilizing an ambulatory polysomnography (PSG) device. A total of 20 caregivers and 20 noncaregivers rated their perceived sleep quality, stress, and depressive symptoms; provided samples of cortisol and inflammatory biomarkers; and completed an objective sleep assessment using a portable PSG device. Caregivers reported greater perceived stress than noncaregivers. Next, the groups had different sleep architecture: caregivers spent less proportion of their sleep in restorative sleep stages compared to noncaregivers. Further, levels of C-reactive protein and awakening salivary cortisol were greater in caregivers than in noncaregivers, and these measures were related to sleep quality. Our findings indicate that sleep disruption is a significant concomitant of caregiving and may affect caregiver's health. Sleep quality of caregivers might be a useful target for a clinical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fonareva
authors.forename: Alexandra M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Amen
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Zajdel
authors.forename: Roger M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ellingson
authors.forename: Barry S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Oken
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers; D003704:Dementia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D057566:Self Report; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires