[Effects of intermittent wakening on sleep pattern of nighttime caregiver: an EEG study with a single subject]

Sleep EEG patterns and fatigue of middle-aged and older female family caregivers providing routine nighttime care for elderly persons at home

The sleep EEGs and fatigue of 9 female family caregivers (age M=65 yr.) and 9 female noncaregivers (age M=67 yr.) were measured during two successive nights at their houses. Perceived quality of sleep was measured by the Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire. Fatigue was measured by a self-rated questionnaire, the Perceived Symptoms of Fatigue, and by critical flicker fusion (CFF) frequency. The caregivers had a significantly higher percentage of Stage 1 and a lower percentage of Stage 2 during the 2nd cycle and a higher percentage of Stages 3+4 during the 3rd cycle than those of the noncaregivers. Caregivers had significantly higher percentages of EEG waves of 7-9 Hz in the 1st cycle and 6-9 Hz in the 2nd cycle and significantly lower percentages of 2-3 Hz in the 1st cycle than those of the noncaregivers. The caregivers reported a lower quality of sleep and higher perceived fatigue symptoms and also lower CFF frequency (increased physiological fatigue) than noncaregivers. The caregivers' sleep EEGs were associated with their higher sleep needs and fatigue.