(P14) Non Pharmacological Interventions to Promote Sleep in Nursing Home Residents

This poster will depict evidence-based, non-pharmacological strategies to promote sleep among nursing home residents, highlighting effective interventions, implementation challenges, and areas for future research.

Design/Methodology :

We reviewed PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases to identify studies published between 2014 and 2024 evaluating non-pharmacological interventions for sleep improvement in nursing home residents.  

Results:

The review of literature identified four categories of interventions.

Resident-specific interventions – Several studies supported individualized sleep plans for residents. Individualized plans based on comprehensive sleep assessment can promote sleep quality. The plan may also include resident-selected pleasant activities.

Behavioral interventions- The review identified behavioral interventions, including sleep hygiene, limiting caffeine, bedtime routine, consistent bedtime and wake time, reducing time spent awake in bed, relaxation techniques, gratitude practice, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. The review noted preliminary studies examining the efficacy and acceptance of app-based meditation and self-hypnosis. 

Physical Activity - Studies supported daytime physical activity as energy expenditure that increases sleep pressure and promote better and deeper sleep.

Environmental modifications – The review noted environmental modifications, including natural sunlight exposure, reducing face time with light and light-emitting devices 1-2 hours before bed to cue the body into sleep, noise reduction accessories, and comfortable room temperature, which have varying impacts on sleep quality.

Conclusion/Discussion :

Discussion:
Approximately 40% of people over 65 years report sleep disturbance. Poor sleep may contribute to cognitive decline, physical deconditioning, social disengagement, depression, falls, frailty, agitation, and increased mortality. Nursing home environment often contributes to poor sleep. The review identified promising interventions, but many lack clear description. Multicomponent designs complicate isolating effectiveness of individual intervention.
Engaging residents, families, staff, and leadership is essential to implement these interventions. Programs like SLUMBER (Improving Sleep Using Mentored Behavioral and Environmental Restructuring) may help address these challenges.

Conclusion:
Optimum sleep is vital for nursing home residents. Enhancing sleep quality requires a person-centered approach with environmental and behavioral strategies. Ongoing staff education is key for sleep promotion interventions. Further research is needed to refine these approaches and develop sustainable solutions for improving sleep in long-term care settings.