The reliability of the German version of the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
The assessment of sleep quality in critically ill patients is a relevant factor of high-quality care. Despite the fact that sleep disturbances and insufficient sleep management contain an increased risk of severe morbidity for these patients, a translated and applicable instrument to evaluate sleep is not available for German-speaking intensive care settings.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to translate the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), a simple and validated instrument eligible for measuring sleep quality in critically ill patients, and subsequently to evaluate the internal consistency of the German version of the RCSQ. Furthermore, it also aimed to inquire into the perception of sleep in a sample of critically ill patients.


METHODS
The RCSQ was translated following established methodological standards. Data were collected cross-sectionally in a sample of 51 patients at 3 intensive care units at a university hospital in Germany.


RESULTS
The German version of the RCSQ showed an overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of 0·88. The mean of the RSCQ in the sample was 47·00 (SD ± 27·57). Depth of sleep was rated the lowest and falling asleep again the highest of the RCSQ sleep items.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated very good internal consistency of the German version of the RCSQ, allowing for its application in practice and research in German-speaking countries. Quality of sleep perception was generally low in this sample, emphasizing the need for enhanced care concepts regarding the sleep management of critically ill patients. Relevance to clinical practice Assessment of self-perception of sleep is crucial in order to plan an individually tailored care process.
Nursing Directorate, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Lübeck, Germany.
Susanne
S
Krotsetis
Doctoral Programs and Research School of Nursing, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
Kathy C
KC
Richards
Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Anja
A
Behncke
Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Sascha
S
Köpke
D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Critically ill; German version; Internal consistency; Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire; Sleep