TESTING A DYADIC SLEEP INTERVENTION FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND THEIR CARE PARTNERS

Abstract

Abstract Sleep disturbance is prevalent among persons living with cognitive impairment (PLWCI) and their care partners, suggesting that dyadic sleep disturbance is an interdependent phenomenon. There is also interdependence in the dyadic sleep disturbance. Despite the pervasiveness of shared sleep disturbance among these dyads and its negative impact on dyadic health outcomes, there are remarkably few interventions for sleep disturbance in which both members of the dyad participate. This study examines sleep outcomes of PLWCI-care partner dyads with insomnia symptoms. Dyads were simultaneously participating in a cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia intervention. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Insomnia Severity Index assessed daytime sleepiness and insomnia, respectively, at baseline and immediately post-intervention. We compared pre- and post-intervention ESS and ISI scores. For the 14 participants (n=7 dyads), care partners were spouses, on average 71.6 years, female (100%) and highly educated (18.85 years). The PLWCI were on average 73.85 years with 18.28 years of education. Daytime sleepiness improved for four and worsened for two care partners. It improved for three and worsened for three PLwCI. Insomnia improved for five care partners and four PLwCI. Two dyads experienced congruent improvement of daytime sleepiness. Four dyads reported congruent improvement of insomnia symptoms. A behavioral sleep intervention simultaneously engaging both the PLWCI and the care partners resulted in a reduction in insomnia and daytime sleepiness symptoms for most of the participants. This study provides preliminary evidence that PLwCI-care partner dyads with sleep disturbance can work together to improve their sleep outcomes.