Research Briefs
Pilot Study of a Brief Behavioral Sleep Intervention for Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia

Research in Gerontological Nursing  Vol. 3 No. 1 January 2010

By Cherie Simpson, MSN, RN, CNS; Patricia A. Carter, PhD, RN

ABSTRACT

Informal caregivers of individuals with dementia experience higher rates of poor sleep quality and depression than the general population. Short-term behavioral interventions have been shown to improve sleep quality in other caregiver populations. The purposes of this study were to determine the feasibility of the CAregiver Sleep Intervention (CASI) in a small sample of caregivers of both community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals with dementia. The caregivers were given CASI, a 5-week behavioral sleep intervention combining relaxation, stimulus control, and sleep hygiene with personal goal setting, delivered at the caregiver’s convenience. Caregivers reported no increased burden with CASI. The intervention was well received, and sleep quality and depression trended toward improvement. CASI appears to be feasible and beneficial in this small sample and warrants further study in caregivers of individuals with dementia.

AUTHORS

Ms. Simpson is a doctoral candidate, and Dr. Carter is Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, Austin, Texas.

The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. This study was funded by a special grant from the University of Texas at Austin. The authors thank Laura Eisenberg, RN, FNP, and Aline Zeringue, RN, CNS, for their support.

Address correspondence to Cherie Simpson, MSN, RN, CNS, University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, 1700 Red River, Austin, TX 78701; e-mail: csimpson@mail.nur.utexas.edu.

Received: September 4, 2008; Accepted: April 16, 2009; Posted: August 31, 2009

doi:10.3928/19404921-20090731-02