PMID: 11899483Mar 20, 2002Paper

Treatment of insomnia in demented nursing home patients: a review

Tijdschrift voor gerontologie en geriatrie
Johan Beullens, J M Schols

Abstract

Insomnia and fragmentation are features of the sleep of these patients. In order to list the factors disturbing the sleep of demented nursing home patients and the interventions improving their sleep quality, the literature was reviewed. A Medline search over the period 1966-2000 was performed. This resulted in 22 research articles. Admission to a nursing home is associated with sleep disturbances caused by patient problems (e.g. pain), care routines (e.g. nightly nursing round) and environment (e.g. noise). There are indications that the use of hypnotics in nursing home patients is not always effective and increases the risk of falls. There are several ways to reduce hypnotic consumption in nursing homes. Non-pharmacological interventions to decrease sleep disturbances caused by environmental factors have a favourable although weak effect on sleep itself. By reducing nightly noise, sleep quality does not necessarily improve. Light therapy seems to be the most effective non-pharmacological method to strengthen the circadian sleep/wake rhythm. The struggle against insomnia without using medication perhaps requires a two tracks management: detection and elimination of disturbing environmental factors and implementation of an adeq...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.