Kathy C. Richards

A systematic review of CPAP adherence across age groups: clinical and empiric insights for developing CPAP adherence interventions.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly efficacious treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but adherence to the treatment limits its overall effectiveness across all age groups of patients. Factors that influence adherence to CPAP include disease and patient characteristics, treatment titration procedures, technological device factors and side effects, and psychological and social factors. These influential factors have guided the development of interventions to promote CPAP adherence. Various intervention strategies have been described and include educational, technological, psychosocial, pharmacological, and multi-dimensional approaches. Though evidence to date has led to innovative strategies that address adherence in CPAP-treated children, adults, and older adults, significant opportunities exist to develop and test interventions that are clinically applicable, specific to sub-groups of patients likely to demonstrate poor adherence, and address the multi-factorial nature of CPAP adherence. The translation of CPAP adherence promotion interventions to clinical practice is imperative to improve health and functional outcomes in all persons with CPAP-treated OSA.

Measurement of sleep in critically ill patients.

Research to evaluate interventions to promote sleep in critically ill patients has been restricted by the lack of brief, inexpensive outcome measures. This article describes the development and testing of an instrument to measure sleep in critically ill patients. A convenience sample of 70 alert, oriented, critically ill males was studied using polysomnography (PSG), the gold standard for sleep measurement, for one night. In the morning the patients completed the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), a five-item visual analog scale. Internal consistency reliability of the RCSQ was .90 and principal components factor analysis revealed a single factor (Eigenvalue = 3.61, percent variance = 72.2). The RCSQ total score accounted for approximately 33% of the variance in the PSG indicator sleep efficiency index (p < .001). The data provide support for the reliability and validity of the RCSQ.

Effect of Individualized Social Activity on Sleep in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia

Objectives: To test the efficacy of an individualized social activity intervention (ISAI) on decreasing daytime sleep, improving nighttime sleep, and lowering the day/night sleep ratio and to determine its cost.

Effects of Massage in Acute and Critical Care

This is a discussion of the results of a systematic review of 22 articles examining the effect of massage on relaxation, comfort, and sleep. The most consistent effect of massage was reduction in anxiety. Eight of 10 original research studies reported that massage significantly decreased anxiety or perception of tension. Seven of 10 studies found that massage produced physiologic relaxation, as indicated by significant changes in the expected direction in one or more physiologic indicators. In the three studies in which the effect of massage on discomfort was investigated, it was found to be effective in reducing pain. In only three studies was the effect of massage on sleep examined. The methods for measuring sleep were unclear in two of the studies, and results were inconclusive in the other. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of massage on discomfort and promoting sleep.

Use of complementary and alternative therapies to promote sleep in critically ill patients

The efficacy of complementary and alternative therapies for sleep promotion in critically ill patients is largely unexamined. We found only seven studies (three on environmental interventions and one each on massage, music therapy, therapeutic touch, and, melatonin) that examined the effect of complementary and alternative therapies. A number of studies, however, have shown that massage, music therapy. and therapeutic touch promote relaxation and comfort in critically ill patients, which likely leads to improved sleep. Massage, music therapy, and therapeutic touch are safe for critically ill patients and should be routinely applied by ICU nurses who have received training on how to administer these specialized interventions. Environmental interventions, such as reducing noise, playing white noise such as ocean sounds, and decreasing interruptions to sleep for care, also are safe and logical interventions that ICU nurses should use to help patients sleep. Progressive muscle relaxation has been extensively studied and shown to be efficacious for improving sleep in persons with insomnia; however, progressive muscle relaxation requires that patients consciously attend to relaxing specific muscle groups and practice these techniques, which may be difficult for critically 11 patients. We do not currently recommend aromatherapy and alternative sedatives, such as valerian and melatonin, for sleep promotion in critically ill patients because the safety of these substances is unclear. In summary, we recommend that ICU nurses implement music therapy, environmental interventions, therapeutic touch, and relaxing massage to promote sleep in critically ill patients. These interventions are safe and may improve patient sleep, although randomized controlled trials are needed to test their efficacy. Aromatherapy and alternative sedatives require further investigation to determine their safety and efficacy.

Sleep disturbances and nocturnal agitation behaviors in older adults with dementia.

STUDY OBJECTIVESnTo examine nighttime sleep patterns of persons with dementia showing nocturnal agitation behaviors and to determine whether restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are associated with nocturnal agitation behaviors.nnnDESIGNnCross-sectional.nnnSETTINGnGeneral community.nnnPARTICIPANTSn59 participants with geriatrician-diagnosed dementia. Participants ages ranged from 66 to 88 years (mean age 79.1; SD 6.0). Mean Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 20.1 (SD 6.6). MMSE was used to measure baseline cognitive function and not for the diagnosis of dementia.nnnINTERVENTIONSnNone.nnnMEASUREMENTS AND RESULTSnSleep was measured by 2 nights of in-home, attended, portable polysomnography (PSG). Nocturnal agitation was measured over 3 additional nights using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory modified for direct observations. Two experts independently and via consensus identified probable RLS. Total sleep time in participants was 5.6 h (SD 1.8 h). Mean periodic limb movements in sleep index (PLMI) was 15.29, and a high percentage (49%) had moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Probable RLS was present in 24% of participants. Those with more severe cognitive impairment had longer sleep latency. Severe cognitive impairment, low apnea hypopnea index (AHI), and probable RLS were associated with nocturnal agitation behaviors (R(2) = 0.35, F(3,55) = 9.40, P < 0.001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnIt appears that probable RLS is associated with nocturnal agitation behaviors in persons with dementia, while OSA and PLMS are not. Further investigation is warranted to determine if treatment of RLS impacts nocturnal agitation behaviors in persons with dementia.

Do cognitive perceptions influence CPAP use

OBJECTIVEnNonadherence to CPAP increases health and functional risks of obstructive sleep apnea. The study purpose was to examine if disease and treatment cognitive perceptions influence short-term CPAP use.nnnMETHODSnA prospective longitudinal study included 66, middle-aged (56.7 ± 10.7 yr) subjects (34 [51.5%] Caucasians; 30 [45.4%] African Americans) with severe OSA (AHI 43.5 events/hr ± 24.6). Following full-night diagnostic/CPAP polysomnograms, home CPAP use was objectively measured at 1 week and 1 month. The Self Efficacy Measure for Sleep Apnea (SEMSA) questionnaire, measuring risk perception, outcome expectancies, and self-efficacy, was collected at baseline, post-CPAP education, and after 1 week CPAP treatment. Regression models were used.nnnRESULTSnCPAP use at one week was 3.99 ± 2.48 h/night and 3.06 ± 2.43 h/night at one month. No baseline SEMSA domains influenced CPAP use. Post-education self-efficacy influenced one week CPAP use (1.52 ± 0.53, p=0.007). Self-efficacy measured post-education and after one week CPAP use also influenced one month CPAP (1.40 ± 0.52, p=0.009; 1.20 ± 0.50, p=0.02, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONnCognitive perceptions influence CPAP use, but only within the context of knowledge of CPAP treatment and treatment use.nnnPRACTICE IMPLICATIONSnPatient education is important to OSA patients formulation of accurate and realistic disease and treatment perceptions which influence CPAP adherence.

Sleep in Hospitalized Elders: A Pilot Study

Hospitalized elders frequently experience disturbed sleep related to environmental factors. To determine relationships between sleep and environmental noise and light, a descriptive exploratory study was conducted with 48 hospitalized older adults. Participants aged 70 years or older were monitored for sleep via wrist actigraphy, and noise and light levels were measured the first night of hospitalization. Sleep time was brief (mean, 3.75 hours) and fragmented (mean, 13 awakenings per night). The sleep environment was noisy with a median sound level of 49.65 dB(A). There was an average of 3 periods of elevated light levels (mean, 64 lux) lasting an average of 1.75 hours each night. No significant correlation was found among sleep and age, light, and sound. Recommendations include light and sound reduction measures and dedicated do not disturb times to allow for a full 90-minute sleep cycle.

Factors Associated with Problematic Vocalizations in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

PURPOSE OF THE STUDYnProblematic vocalizations (PVs) are the most frequent and persistent disruptive behaviors exhibited by nursing home residents with dementia. Understanding factors associated with these behaviors are important to prevent or reduce them. We used the Need-Driven Dementia-Compromised Behavior model to identify the characteristics of persons with dementia who are likely to display nonaggressive and aggressive PVs and the conditions under which these behaviors are likely to occur and persist.nnnDESIGN AND METHODSnThis multisite descriptive study included 138 residents of 17 nursing homes, and approximately half had a history of PVs. Background data were gathered through interviews, chart reviews, and administration of physical and neuropsychological assessments. Proximal data were obtained from observations and videotapes.nnnRESULTSnWhen the 2 subscales of the Verbal Behavior Scale were used as the dependent variables, agreeableness and conscientiousness, positive affect, and discomfort were associated with nonaggressive vocalizations, and general health state (GHS), age, and negative and positive affect were associated with aggressive vocalizations. When the verbally agitated (nonaggressive) section of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory was the dependent variable, the background factors of gender, agreeableness, GHS, and age remained predictors, as did the proximal factors of affect and discomfort.nnnIMPLICATIONSnWe identified 5 background factors and 3 proximal factors as risk factors for PVs in persons with dementia, with variation between nonaggressive or aggressive PVs. These data provide direction for caregiving for persons with dementia and design of interventions to prevent or reduce PVs.

SLEEP AND COGNITION IN PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

It is important that we identify factors that could lead to interventions to slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimers disease. One potentially modifiable factor in Alzheimers disease is disturbed sleep. The effect of disturbed sleep on cognition is of profound importance in people with Alzheimers disease because disturbed sleep may worsen memory complaints. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide an updated review of literature that describes the impact of disturbed sleep on cognition in healthy populations and discuss the implications that this relationship has for people with Alzheimers disease and their formal and informal caregivers.