Effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation on anxiety and sleep qualities among elderly patients with chronic sleep disorders

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) on anxiety and sleep qualities among elderly patients with chronic sleep disorders. Methods From February 2018 to February 2019, we selected 120 elderly patients with chronic sleep disorders at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University by convenience sampling as subjects. All of the patients were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, 60 cases in each group. Control group carried out routine medical treatment. Treatment group implemented CES 20 minutes every time, one time every day and 12 weeks constituting a course of treatment. Sleep qualities and anxiety of patients of two groups were evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hamilton's Depression Scale (HAMA) before treatment and after a course of treatment. Results A total of 52 cases of control group and 55 cases of treatment group completed the research. After intervention, the total scores of PSQI of treatment group were (7.08±0.98) higher than those of control group (8.97±1.38) , and dimension has statistical differences (P<0.001) . After intervention, the total and each item scores of HAMA of treatment group was lower than that of control group, In addition to the items of cardiovascular, the scores of total and other items were statistically significant (P<0.001) . Conclusions Compared with routine medical treatment, CES can better improve sleep qualities of elderly patients with chronic sleep disorders and relieve their anxiety which provides a reference for treatment for elderly patients with chronic sleep disorders. Key words: Aged; Sleep disorders; Anxiety; Cranial electrotherapy stimulation