Understanding sleep problems in rehabilitation inpatients after stroke

Dixon, Susan (2012) Understanding sleep problems in rehabilitation inpatients after stroke. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Sleep problems are commonly reported by stroke patients. Poor sleep quality can detrimentally impact upon multiple clinical variables, including mood, physical health, cognition and the rehabilitation process itself. However, the relationship between sleep and stroke is complex and not fully understood. Pre-sleep cognitions and pre-sleep arousal have been proposed as contributing factors in sleep disturbance within the general population and this novel study investigates these variables as potential factors associated with sleep post-stroke.
Methods: Stroke rehabilitation inpatients (N=21) were classified as good or poor sleepers using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and compared using measures of pre-sleep cognitions and pre-sleep arousal; relevant factors including daytime sleepiness, fatigue, mood and environmental disturbance were also explored.
Results: Poor sleepers reported a significantly higher level of pre-sleep cognitions, pre-sleep cognitive arousal, fatigue and mood disturbance than good sleepers. The level of daytime sleepiness and perceptions of environmental disturbance did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusions: This study revealed a high level of poor sleep within the current sample (48%) based on the PSQI and pre-sleep cognitions and cognitive arousal appear potentially important factors in sleep quality post-stroke. Theoretical and practical implications and future directions for research are discussed.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: stroke, sleep disorder, pre-sleep cognition, arousal, fatigue
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Evans, Prof. Jonathan
• Date of Award: 2012
• Depositing User: Dr Susan Dixon
• Unique ID: glathesis:2012-3646
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 20 Nov 2012
• Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 14:09
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/3646