0788 SLEEP QUALITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING DURING ACUTE HOSPITALIZATION AND PREDICTS FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY FOLLOWING HOSPITALIZATION IN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Poor sleep quality, a frequent problem in older adults, has been shown to be associated with reduced physical function and wellbeing. However, little is known about the relationship between sleep quality and the recovery of physical function after hospitalization. Thus, we conducted this study to examine the association between sleep quality and functional recovery after an acute hospitalization in community dwelling older adults. Older adult patients (N=27, mean age= 74 ± 8 years) were recruited during an acute hospitalization (average length of stay 3.9 days) with Cardiovascular (56%), Pulmonary (22%), or Metabolic (13%) admission diagnosis. Testing was performed prior to discharge (baseline) and 1-month post-discharge. Functional performance was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) which consists of three tests of lower body function: a short timed walk at usual gait speed, five repeated chair stands, and a standing balance exercise. Each of the three performance measures was scored from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating inability to complete the test and 4 indicating the highest level of performance. Sleep quality was measured using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score. Pearson correlations revealed significant associations between PSQI and SPPB total (r = -.40, p=.044) and SPPB usual gait speed (r=-.52, p=.007) scores at baseline. Separate regression models revealed baseline PSQI score predicted change scores from baseline to 1-month post-discharge for SPPB standing balance (β=.55, p=.012) and SPPB usual gait speed (β=.60, p=.005); with a trend toward significance for SPPB total (β=.43, p=.057) score. For older adults, poorer sleep quality is associated with worse physical functioning during acute hospitalization. Baseline sleep quality also predicted recovery of physical functioning following hospitalization. These results suggest that interventions to improve sleep quality might help enhance functional recovery from hospitalization and increase physical function levels. National Institutes of Health K23NR014008 (PI: Nowakowski), National Dairy Council 1229 (PI: Volpi), and UTMB Pepper OAIC P30AG024832 (PI: Volpi).