Abstract
The aim of this study was to draw a portrait of the sleep environment of elderly persons living in private households and to determine its relationship with the presence of insomnia. A sample of 599 individuals aged 70 years and older responded to questions about the comfort of their pillow and mattress and the noise level and brightness of their bedroom at night and in the morning. They were also asked whether or not they shared their bed or bedroom with a sleep partner. The Insomnia Severity Index was used to assess insomnia severity. Over 40% of the study participants were using a pillow that was not very comfortable, and almost 30% said that their bedroom was not completely quiet. Binomial logistic regression results revealed that two variables were significantly associated with insomnia symptoms: a pillow rated as moderately comfortable to very uncomfortable and a bedroom that was not completely quiet. No other sleep environment characteristics considered in this study were associated with the risk of insomnia. These results indicate that a nonnegligible proportion of the elderly population endures a suboptimal sleep environment. Although it is difficult to predict the real impact of changes to the sleep environment, this study supports the proposal that simple, minor changes to the bedroom can promote sleep in the elderly.
Highlights
Academic Editor: Jean-Francois Grosset e aim of this study was to draw a portrait of the sleep environment of elderly persons living in private households and to determine its relationship with the presence of insomnia
No other sleep environment characteristics considered in this study were associated with the risk of insomnia. ese results indicate that a nonnegligible proportion of the elderly population endures a suboptimal sleep environment
In order to fill this research gap, the present study aims, on the one hand, to draw a portrait of the sleep environment of elderly persons, and on the other hand, to determine whether the presence of a partner in the same bed or bedroom, the noise and brightness of the bedroom, and pillow and mattress comfort allow distinguishing between elderly persons who present insomnia and those who do not
Summary
Jonathan Desaulniers ,1 Sophie Desjardins ,1 Sylvie Lapierre ,1 and Alain Desgagne2. e aim of this study was to draw a portrait of the sleep environment of elderly persons living in private households and to determine its relationship with the presence of insomnia. Certain physiological changes that affect sleep quality are considered normal with increasing age, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used as a standard first-line treatment to reduce many sleep-related symptoms in the elderly [6, 7]. Such treatment generally involves recommendations for good sleep hygiene, including changes to the sleep environment. Persons are at greater risk for nocturnal awakenings and sleep fragmentation compared with the general population [8] They are at greater risk for being affected by an inadequate sleep environment, namely, a bedroom that is insufficiently quiet, dark, or comfortable. Nocturnal light inhibits the secretion of melatonin, a hormone involved in sleep regulation [11, 12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
