Sleep disturbance in people with brain tumours and caregivers: a survey of healthcare professionals' views and current practice

The relationship between insomnia and multidimensional frailty in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between insomnia and multidimensional frailty among community-dwelling older adults.

METHOD

We conducted a comprehensive search in the Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embase databases up to May 15, 2024. The included cross-sectional studies were using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Evidence-Based Health Care Center's checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies; the longitudinal study used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for risk of bias assessment.

RESULTS

Out of 1571 studies, 14 were selected. The results indicate a positive relationship between insomnia and cognitive frailty, social frailty, and psychological frailty in community-dwelling older adults. However, the relationship between insomnia and total or physical frailty is unclear.

CONCLUSION

This study made an association between insomnia and cognitive frailty, social frailty, and psychological frailty in community-dwelling older adults. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality cohort studies are required to verify the above conclusion.

Assessment and Management of Sleep Disturbance in Palliative Care Settings

Background: Sleep disturbances, including insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, and circadian rhythm disorders with potential consequences including excessive daytime somnolence and worsening fatigue, are prevalent yet largely under-measured and therefore under-managed problems in people receiving palliative care. This has the potential to negatively affect the person's functioning and quality of life. Objectives: We aimed to review the current practice of assessment and management of sleep disturbances in people with life-limiting illnesses in Australian and New Zealand palliative care settings, and to define areas for improvement in assessment and management of sleep disturbances and further research. Design: A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted with palliative care health professionals (PCHPs) to explore current approaches to routine assessment of sleep disturbances and PCHPs' awareness of, and perceived access to, evidence-based resources for assessing and managing sleep disturbances in their local settings. Results: Fifty-four PCHPs responded to the survey, including allied health professionals (44%), palliative care nurses (26%), and physicians (19%). Over 70% of PCHPs endorsed routine verbal screening of sleep symptoms, and >90% recommended management with basic behavioral strategies. However, none of PCHPs used validated patient-reported outcome measures for sleep, and <10% of PCHPs demonstrated awareness or use of sleep-specific interventions (including medications). Only 40% reported they had access to sleep specialist services for patients. Conclusion: Our findings provide a useful snapshot of current approaches to managing sleep disturbances in palliative care. Gaps in current practice are highlighted, including the lack of structured, clinical assessment, referral pathways, and PCHPs' perceived lack of access to targeted interventions for sleep disturbances.

Insomnia in cancer patients - A survey of health-care professionals' views and current practice in Romania

BACKGROUND

Changes in the quality of sleep are reported often in cancer patients and have a major impact on general health. However, insomnia tends to be insufficiently evaluated and managed.

AIM

The aim of the study was to analyze the perception of clinical staff working in oncology units regarding patients' sleep disorders. Furthermore, we assessed the prevalence of insomnia in this category of professionals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was cross sectional and used a descriptive and correlational design. Clinical personnel working in oncology departments were invited to complete a questionnaire regarding sleep problems in patients, and optionally, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index questionnaire was administered. Correlations between age, profession, experience, and their responses were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

We gathered 101 responses, with 63.4% coming from doctors. With one exception, all professionals observed changes in sleep patterns in patients, but less than a third were actively looking for these problems and only three health professionals used questionnaires. No significant differences in answers were noted based on age, profession, or experience. Regarding professionals, 45.6% of them had impaired sleep based on the Pittsburgh questionnaire results.

CONCLUSION

Oncology staff are aware of the existence and impact of sleep problems, but active assessment for sleep problems is low. There is a relative high prevalence of poor sleep quality among oncology staff. In order to improve the well-being of patients, the quality of sleep should be documented as part of the care plan. The existence of guidelines is desirable.

Sleep disturbance in primary brain tumor: prevalence, risk factors, and patient preferences

PURPOSE

Primary brain tumor (PBT) patients report sleep disturbance due to their disease and treatment, yet few studies have utilized validated measures to understand the extent of patients' concerns and preferences for treatment. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of sleep disturbance among PBT patients in our clinic and to evaluate interest in treatment for sleep disturbance.

METHODS

PBT patients completed validated measures of sleep disturbance and health during routine neuro-oncology visits. Patients also reported on sleep-related symptom management and their preferences for pharmacological and/or behavioral treatment.

RESULTS

Sleep disturbance was common, with 61.5% of PBT patients (N = 119; Mage = 52.60 years; 50% male) reporting poor sleep quality and 21.5% endorsing symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia could be explained by increased fatigue and corticosteroid use; sleep quality could be explained by fatigue. Patients in our clinic with higher grade tumors, significant sleep disturbance, of minority racial/ethnic status, and those not already taking sleep medications were more likely to report their symptoms and were not well-addressed by their medical team. Patients indicated a similar interest in pharmacological and behavioral treatment, warranting the availability of both in our clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate a high prevalence of sleep disturbance in PBT patients, highlighting the need for increased screening, monitoring, and treatment in our neuro-oncology clinic. Future research would benefit from assessing the efficacy of behavioral treatments for sleep disturbance in this population.

Barriers to managing sleep disturbance in people with malignant brain tumours and their caregivers: a qualitative analysis of healthcare professionals' perception

PURPOSE

This study explores healthcare professionals (HCPs)' perception and current management of sleep disturbance (SD) in people with malignant brain tumours and their caregivers. We aimed to identify barriers to effective management of SD in neuro-oncology care.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 HCPs involved in neuro-oncology care. The study was underpinned by the Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model within the Behavioural Change Wheel (BCW) guiding topic selection for the exploration of underlying processes of HCPs' behaviours and care decisions for SD management. Data were analysed thematically using a framework synthesis, and subsequently mapped onto the BCW to identify barriers for effective management and recommend potential interventions.

RESULTS

We identified four themes: HCPs' clinical opinions about SD, the current practice of SD management in neuro-oncology clinics, gaps in the current practice, and suggested areas for improvements. HCPs perceived SD as a prevalent yet secondary issue of low priority in neuro-oncology care. SD was unrecognised, and inadequately managed in usual clinical settings. Interventional options included modifying the use of corticosteroids or prescribing sedatives. When mapped onto the BCW, themes identified main barriers as a lack of awareness among HCPs about SD warranting care, due to the absence of screening tools and limited knowledge and resources for therapeutic interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Multidisciplinary HCPs need training in the routine use of appropriate sleep assessment tools, and access to clear management pathways. More professional resources are needed to educate staff in implementing appropriate interventions for people with malignant brain tumours who are experiencing SD.

Understanding sleep disturbance in the context of malignant brain tumors: a qualitative analysis

Background

Sleep is an important element in health-related quality of life of cancer patients and caregivers. This study aimed to explore the experience of sleep disturbance in people with malignant brain tumors (BT) and their family caregivers.

Methods

Participants were recruited from ambulatory neuro-oncology clinics. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 patients (67% with high-grade gliomas) and 14 caregivers. Data were analyzed thematically using a framework synthesis.

Results

We identified six themes relating to perceptions of the nature, impact, causal factors, and interventions for sleep disturbance, beliefs about sleep and impact, and personal coping strategies. Participants described their sleep disturbance in terms of insomnia symptoms; most commonly difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep. Participants had varied views on causal factors including the BT diagnosis and treatment and caregiver burden. However, excessive thinking and BT-related anxiety were evident in both patients and caregivers. The described impact on daytime functioning due to non-restful sleep and fatigue appeared to be significant and many participants needed daytime naps, although they understated the impact on individual functioning. Some participants were reluctant to seek help from clinicians for sleep disturbance due to previous experiences where sleep disturbance was overlooked, or because they held negative views toward pharmacological interventions. Participants reported various coping strategies, ranging from relaxation-promoting techniques to behaviors to distract thinking at night that may instead disturb sleep.

Conclusions

Psychological factors contribute to sleep disturbance in patients with BT and caregivers. This population may benefit from information about sleep disturbance and interventions targeting anxiety.