Effects of sleep hygiene training given to pregnant women with restless leg syndrome on their sleep quality

Sleep hygiene education program during pregnancy: a prospective randomized controlled study

PURPOSE

Pregnancy-related psychophysiological changes are associated with the sleep alterations as the gestational weeks progress. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of sleep hygiene education programs during pregnancy.

METHODS

This prospective randomized controlled study based on pre-post-test after intervention consists of 30 studies and 30 control groups. Pregnant descriptive form, Beck Depression Index (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and sleep hygiene index (SHI) questionnaires were used. Pregnant women with a score of 15 and above according to BDI were excluded from the study due to depression. Following the application of PSQI and SHI as a pretest, a sleep hygiene training program was applied to the intervention group twice with an interval of 15 days, and PSQI and SHI surveys were repeated as a posttest at the end of 1 month. End points with prespecified hypotheses were changes in sleep quality in different trimesters during antenatal follow-up (primary end point) and changes in sleep quality after the sleep hygiene education intervention from randomization to the end of the intervention period (secondary end point).

RESULTS

90% of all pregnant women had poor sleep quality in the pre-test, and 93.3% in the post-test. In the intervention group, the pre-test PSQI score was 8.10 ± 1.80 and the post-test PSQI score was 8.37 ± 2.05 (p < 0.001). In the control group, the pre-test PSQI score was 8.23 ± 2.54 and the post-test PSQI score was 9.77 ± 2.54, and the worsening of sleep quality became more evident (p < 0.05). While the SHI in intervention group was 16.57 ± 5.64 in the pre-test, it was 10.30 ± 3.78 in the post-test after sleep hygiene training (p < 0.001). In the control group, the pre-test SHI scores increased from 14.50 ± 3.78 to the post-test scores of 16.60 ± 4.36, resulting in a decline in sleep hygiene and sleep quality (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

As the gestational week progressed, the deterioration in sleep quality increased. The poor sleep quality improved significantly after sleep hygiene education counseling. It is recommended to add sleep-related screenings to routine pregnancy follow-ups and to provide sleep hygiene education.

Poor sleep hygiene practices are associated with a higher increase in sleep problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent change score model

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly influenced physical and mental health worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate changes in sleep problems across three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify potential predictors of the inter-individual variability around these changes, with a particular focus on the role of detrimental sleep hygiene practices. A total of 352 participants completed an online survey of self-report questionnaires at three different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic: T1 (Spring 2020); T2 (Autumn-Winter 2020); and T3 (Spring 2021). The questionnaires collected information on socio-demographic and COVID-19-related variables, psychological distress (i.e. the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21), sleep hygiene (i.e. the Sleep Hygiene Index) and sleep problems (i.e. the Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale). Latent change score modelling revealed an average increase in sleep problems between T1 and T2 with significant inter-individual variability. No substantial changes were observed on average between T2 and T3. Notably, poorer sleep hygiene practices were associated with a more pronounced increase in sleep problems between T1 and T2 (β = 0.191, p = 0.013), even after controlling for relevant confounders such as demographic factors, COVID-19-related information and psychological distress. These findings expand on previous research regarding the detrimental effects of the pandemic on mental health, suggesting that interventions targeting sleep hygiene practices may be beneficial for mitigating its negative impact on sleep disruptions.

The Effect of Sleep Enhancement Educational Program on Maternal Sleep Quality for Nulliparous Pregnant Women: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy is a critical period during which women usually do not prefer taking medication. Therefore, non-pharmacological and safe methods are needed to improve sleep quality during pregnancy. This study aims to identify whether an educational program on sleep enhancement for pregnant women has any effect on maternal sleep quality.

METHOD

This was a randomized-controlled trial. Pregnant women (N = 181) were divided into two groups, an intervention group (n = 90) and a control group (n = 91). A two-session educational program for the enhancement of sleep quality was provided to the intervention group, whereas solely the routine practices of the hospital were put in place for the control group.

RESULTS

The intervention group had a significantly lower mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, and accordingly, better sleep quality than the control group. Participation in the education program was significantly related to sleep quality and accounted for 6% of the total variance in sleep quality (R2 = 0.055) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the educational program on sleep enhancement implemented to improve the sleep quality of pregnant women enhanced maternal sleep quality.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL:  clinicaltrials.gov .

REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04262349.

Development and psychometric properties of the Reproductive Health Assessment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Mixed-Methods study

OBJECTIVES

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a high morbidity rate (7% in general and 325/100.000 in reproductive period) was known as "the mother of autoimmune diseases." But healthcare providers hadn't reliable scales to measure the effectiveness of interventions to improve reproductive health. Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) express concern about a significant gap in their reproductive and sexual health during medical care due to the lack of a specific scale to measure this concept. This study developed psychometrically specific scale to evaluate this concept in Iranian women.

METHODS

The study utilized a sequential-exploratory mixed-methods design, wherein the concept of reproductive health was clarified during the qualitative phase using conventional content analysis (inductive-deductive) to create a pool of RHASLE (Reproductive Health Assessment in SLE) items. During the psychometric process, the face, content, and construct validities of the RHASLE were checked with 650 individuals (320 using exploratory factor analysis [EFA] and 330 using confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]) through interviews and completion of the questionnaire. Convergent and divergent validities were then checked, and the reliability was assessed through stability and internal consistency. Finally, the measurement error, responsiveness, and interpretability of the scale were evaluated and confirmed.

RESULTS

The study's findings revealed that the RHASLE consisted of 5 factors (33 items): physical-psychological disorder (13 items), relaxing feeling (6 items), spirituality (3 items), high-risk pregnancies (5 items), and sexual satisfaction (6 items). These factors explained a total of 99.97% of the variance in the concept of reproductive health. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the good model fit, and its validity and reliability were deemed acceptable.

CONCLUSION

The RHASLE consisted of 27 items with high internal consistency, stability, responsiveness, and interpretability. That was able to get approval of Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. Based on the results, RHASLE is a valid and reliable multidimensional scale that encompasses various aspects of reproductive health (physical, sexual, psychological, social, and spiritual).

Prevalence and factors associated with restless legs syndrome among pregnant women in middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a debilitating condition characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs, typically occurring during periods of rest or sleep. It is more prevalent during pregnancy and is linked to sleep disturbances, diminished quality of life, and pregnancy complications. However, previous studies yielded inconsistent findings among pregnant women in middle-income countries. Consequently, this systematic review and meta-analysis sought to determine the pooled prevalence of restless legs syndrome and its associated factors in these populations.

Method

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on published studies from middle-income countries until May 2023. The review strictly adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant search terms were used to search for studies in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Data extraction was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for prevalence studies. The meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 17 software, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test, while publication bias was evaluated using Egger's test. Forest plots were also used to present the pooled prevalence and odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model.

Result

This review included 22 studies from nine countries with a total of 17, 580 study participants. The overall pooled prevalence of RLS among pregnant women in middle-income countries was 13.82% (95% CI: 13.31, 14.32), and having low hemoglobin level (AOR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.18), history of RLS (AOR: 7.54, 95% CI: 3.02, 18.79), muscle cramps (AOR: 3.58, 95% CI: 1.21, 10.61), excessive day time sleepiness (AOR: 4.02, 95% CI: 1.34, 12.04), preeclampsia (AOR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.28, 3.30), and taking prophylactic iron supplementation (AOR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.69) were the identified factors associated with it.

Conclusion

Generally, nearly one in every eight pregnant women in middle-income countries develop restless legs syndrome during pregnancy. Having low hemoglobin level, a history of RLS, muscle cramps, excessive daytime sleepiness, preeclampsia, and taking prophylactic iron supplementation were the identified factors associated with it. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the identified factors associated with RLS in order to effectively mitigate its occurrence among pregnant women.

Effect of sleep hygiene training given to elderly individuals on daytime sleepiness and fatigue: A randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the effect of sleep hygiene training given to elderly individuals on daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The sample size was calculated by G. Power and determined as 134 elderly individuals. The experimental group was trained in sleep, two sessions a week for a total of 2 weeks.

FINDINGS

The difference between Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Fatigue Severity Scale posttest mean scores of the elderly individuals in the experimental and control groups were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Sleep hygiene training reduced daytime sleepiness and fatigue in older adults.

Effect of Sleep Hygiene Education on Sleep Quality in Patients With Liver Transplantation

This study aimed to determine the effects of sleep hygiene education on sleep quality in liver transplant patients. In the literature, the efficacy of various pharmacological methods for reducing poor sleep quality associated with liver transplant patients and studies on nonpharmacological methods are limited. This study was conducted using a quasiexperimental design with a pre- and posttest, and a control group. When the power analysis was made, a sample size with 5% double-sided significance, 95% confidence interval, and 95% ability to represent the population was calculated to have a total of 100 liver transplant patients. The data were collected using a patient information form, and the Richard Campbell Sleep Quality Questionnaire. In the experimental group, the researcher gave a sleep hygiene training for 1 week. No treatment was performed in the control group. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, a χ2 test, a t test for dependent groups, and a t test for independent groups were used. According to sleep hygiene training follow-ups after liver transplantation, the mean scores of sleep quality was similarly poor, with a statistical significance in the experimental group compared with the control group in all measurements before and after sleep hygiene training (P < .001). The sleep hygiene training applied to liver transplant patients positively affected and decreased the severity of sleep quality.

Non-pharmacological Interventions for Improving Sleep Quality During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

 To investigate the effect of non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep quality during pregnancy.

DATA SOURCES

 A search was made in the NCBI/PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, BVS, and Web of Science databases. There were no limitations regarding language, sample size, and type of non-pharmacological intervention. We have included prospective clinical trials between July 2014 and July 2019.

SELECTION OF STUDIES

 This study was registered in the Prospective International Registration of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database was performed. Publication bias was also assessed with funnel plots. the primary outcome was the total score in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after intervention. Risk of bias and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria were used for assessing methodological quality. From the 28 retrieved studies, we have selected 8 for qualitative analysis and 6 for meta-analysis.

DATA COLLECTION

 Two independent reviewers performed the study selection. In the case of disagreement, a third senior reviewer was consulted. The study was initially assessed based on the title, followed by abstract. Lastly, the full text was assessed to be included.

DATA SYNTHESIS

 A significant improvement on the sleep quality (PSQI score) was observed when all interventions were grouped (MD = -3.03, 95%CI -4.15 to -1.92, n = 623, i² = 84%, p < 0.001). Analysis by subgroup (music listening: MD = -1.96, 95% CI -3.27 to -0.65, n = 207, i² = 67%, p = 0.003 and other interventions: MD = -3.66, 95% CI -4.93 to -2.40, n = 416, i2 = 80%, p < 0.001) showed an improvement, with high heterogeneity. Risk of bias has shown performance and detection bias for almost studies, and GRADE evidence was very low for all analyzed variables.

CONCLUSION

 Non-pharmacological interventions-listening to music, physical exercise, relaxation exercises, lettuce seed, sleep hygiene, and acupressure-are effective for improving sleep quality during pregnancy.

Psychometric properties of the Sleep Hygiene Index in a large Italian community sample

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Poor sleep hygiene is considered an exacerbating and perpetuating factor of sleep disturbances and is also associated with poor mental health. The Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) is a self-report measure assessing adherence to sleep hygiene practices. The aim of this study was to estimate the psychometric properties of the SHI in an Italian representative sample of the general population, following a formative measurement approach.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Participants (n = 6276; M = 33.62, SD = 13.45) completed the SHI alongside measures of sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, and stress. To consider the item formative nature, sets of item-composites weighted by means of canonical correlation analysis was created and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was implemented. Factorial invariance tests were computed considering both presence of sleep problems and presence of emotional distress symptoms as grouping variables.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

CFA confirmed the unidimensional structure of SHI. Internal consistency was acceptable (ω = 0.752). Test-retest reliability at 8-10 months presented an ICC of 0.666. SHI significantly correlated with sleep, depression, anxiety and stress symptoms (r range from 0.358 to 0.500). Configural and metric invariance were reached for both grouping variables. Partial scalar invariance was obtained only across emotional distress groups. People with emotional symptoms reported higher latent means on the sleep hygiene dimension. Findings support the validity and reliability of the Italian version of the SHI. Importantly, the SHI showed robust psychometric properties both in healthy individuals and in individual reporting mental health symptoms. Thus, it is advisable to use this version of the SHI in both research and clinical practice.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Poor Sleep During Different Trimesters of Pregnancy Among Women in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The management of poor sleep during pregnancy is important for maternal and foetal health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of poor sleep quality and risk factors for poor sleep during different trimesters of pregnancy for better management of sleep during pregnancy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in Foshan Women's and Children's Hospital. In total, 2281 pregnant women were analysed, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Cluster logistic regression was used to analyse the risk factors for poor sleep among all participants, and logistic regression models were built to identify potential risk factors for poor sleep quality in different trimesters of pregnancy.

RESULTS

Over half of the participants reported poor sleep quality (51.8%). The rate of poor sleep was lowest in the second trimester. Women who were unmarried had >12 years of education, exercised <3 days/week, were in the third trimester, had a high level of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) and had a history of infertility had a higher risk of poor sleep. Pregnancy-related factors contributed most to poor sleep. In the first trimester, the main risk factors for poor sleep were a history of infertility and a high level of NVP. In the second trimester, only a high level of NVP was a risk factor for poor sleep. In the last trimester, the risk factors for poor sleep were more education years, exercise <3 days/week and high levels of NVP.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence and risk factors for poor sleep were different in different trimesters. Clinicians should screen and address poor sleep prior to the first and, especially, the third trimester of pregnancy. Management of poor sleep should be consistent throughout pregnancy and be adjusted in different trimesters.