Sleep disturbance in family caregivers of children who depend on medical technology.

摘要: Objectives Family caregivers of children who depend on medical technology (CMT) provide highly skilled care up to 24 hours per day. Sleep disruption places family at risk for poor health and related outcomes that threaten their long-term caregiving capacity. Few studies exist have measured sleep in caregivers, most relied entirely subjective measures. Methods In a prospective cohort study, CMT (n=42) healthy (n=43) were recruited. Actigraphy data concurrent diary collected 6 days/7 nights. Measures quality, depression, sleepiness, fatigue quality life also administered. Results averaged fewer hours night (mean (SD)) (6.56±1.4 vs 7.21±0.6, p = 0.02) poorer (7.75±2.9 5.45±2.8, 0.01) than the control group. Three times as many scored range significant depressive symptomatology (12(33%) 4(10%), experienced excessive daytime sleepiness (16(38%) 5(12%), 0.01). Fatigue was more problematic among (22.12±9.1 17.44±9.0, 0.02). Conclusions are acute chronic deprivation, psychological distress impaired function may capacity sustained caregiving. be important targets screening disorders development novel sleep-promoting interventions.