Behavioral interventions and symptom cluster change in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and insomnia.

BACKGROUND: People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and insomnia experience multiple co-occurring symptoms, but no studies have examined symptom cluster change over time in this population. OBJECTIVES: This study explored longitudinal patterns of symptom cluster profiles for adults with COPD and insomnia and evaluated whether behavioral interventions were associated with changes in symptom cluster profiles. METHODS: This study included 91 adults with COPD and insomnia who participated in a randomized trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and COPD education. The pre-specified symptom cluster included insomnia, dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Latent profile analysis identified participant groups with distinct symptom cluster profiles at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 3-month follow-up; latent transition analysis then estimated the probability of group membership change over time. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine whether the interventions were associated with changes in symptom cluster profiles. RESULTS: Three groups were identified at each of three time-points: Class 1 (low symptom burden), Class 2 (intermediate), and Class 3 (high). Classes 1 and 2 showed less movement to other classes (16 % and 38 %, respectively), whereas Class 3 showed greater transition (64 %). The CBT-I intervention was significantly associated with movement to a lower symptom burden group (Class 3 to 2 or 2 to 1). CONCLUSIONS: CBT-I, with or without COPD education, shows promise as a tailored intervention to reduce symptom burden in the study population. Study findings will facilitate development of interventions to reduce the severity of multiple co-occurring symptoms in people with COPD and insomnia. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: A Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Co-existing with COPD; Identifier: NCT01973647.

Fatigue, Toll-Like Receptor 4, and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Adults With Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is prevalent in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) survivors. Biological mechanisms underlying fatigue post-SAH are not clear. Inflammation may contribute to the development of fatigue. This study aimed to examine the associations between inflammatory markers and fatigue during the first 6 months post-SAH. Specific biomarkers examined included both early and concurrent expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) messenger RNA (mRNA) and plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin (IL)1ß, and IL6. METHODS: We conducted a 6-month longitudinal study with a convenience sample of 43 SAH survivors. We collected blood samples on days 2, 3, and 7 and 2, 3, and 6 months post-SAH to assess biomarkers. Fatigue was assessed by the PROMIS Fatigue Scale at 2, 3, and 6 months. Linear mixed models were used to test the associations between early (days 2, 3, and 7) and concurrent (2, 3, and 6 months) TLR4 mRNA expression (TagMan gene expression assays) and TNF-α, IL1ß, and IL6 plasma concentrations (multiplex assays) and concurrent fatigue. RESULTS: 28% of SAH survivors experienced fatigue during the first 6 months post-SAH. Fatigue levels in SAH survivors were higher than those of the U.S. population and consistent during the 6 months. Experience of fatigue during the 6 months post-SAH was associated with higher IL1ß plasma concentrations on day 7 and IL1ß, IL6, and TNF-α plasma concentrations during the 6 months post-SAH. CONCLUSION: Inflammation appears to underlie the development of fatigue in SAH survivors.

Symptom Cluster Profiles in Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Insomnia.

BACKGROUND: People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and insomnia may experience multiple symptoms that can affect physical function, but little research has focused on symptom clusters in this population. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify subgroups of people with COPD and insomnia based on a pre-specified symptom cluster and determine whether physical function differed in the subgroups. METHODS: This secondary data analysis included 102 people with insomnia and COPD. Latent profile analysis classified subgroups of individuals sharing similar patterns of five symptoms: insomnia, dyspnea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Multinomial logistic regression and multiple regression determined factors associated with the subgroups and whether physical function differed among them. RESULTS: Three groups of participants were identified based on the severity of all five symptoms: low (Class 1), intermediate (Class 2), and high (Class 3). Compared to Class 1, Class 3 showed lower self-efficacy for sleep and for COPD management and more dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep. Class 3 showed more dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep than Class 2. Class 1 showed significantly better physical function than Classes 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Self-efficacy for sleep and for COPD management and dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep were associated with class membership. As physical function differed among subgroups, interventions to improve self-efficacy for sleep and for COPD management and minimize dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep may reduce symptom cluster severity, in turn enhancing physical function.

Factors Influencing Sleep Duration and Sleep Difficulty in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Although sleep problems are prevalent among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), many research gaps exist in this area. The aims of this study were to identify sleep duration and sleep difficulty in people with COPD and to determine factors influencing these sleep variables. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) performed in 2019. A total of 408 people with COPD were included in the study. Individuals' sociodemographic, COPD-related, and psychological characteristics were examined to determine factors affecting their sleep duration and sleep difficulty. Results: Of 408 study subjects, almost 95% had mild or moderate COPD. The mean sleep duration of the subjects was 6.73 hours per day, indicating short sleep duration. Subjects with elementary school or no education, middle individual income, unmarried status, or depression were more likely to have shorter sleep duration than those with middle or high school education, low individual income, married status, or no depression. In addition, over 54% of subjects experienced mild to severe sleep difficulty. Female gender, low family income, and more perceived stress were significantly associated with greater sleep difficulty. Conclusion: Among the study subjects, over 40% had short sleep duration or mild to severe sleep difficulty. Although COPD severity was not significantly associated with sleep duration or sleep difficulty, sociodemographic disparities in sleep health were observed.

Factors Associated with Self-Rated Health among Korean Elderly.

Background: South Korea has the fastest growing aging population in the world, and the Korean older adult population has been reported to have poor self-rated health (SRH). This cross-sectional descriptive survey aimed to examine the SRH and associated factors among the Korean older adult population using the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. Methods: The differences in SRH according to socioeconomic, health-related, and mental health-related factors and their relationships were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression, using data from 1,521 older adults in Korea from the 8th KNHANES. Results: Self-rated health was higher among older adults with a high family income (odds ratio [OR]=1.58, 95% CI: 1.05-2.36), those who finished elementary school or lower as opposed to those with a middle school diploma (OR=0.52, 95% CI:0.29-0.95), those with a low body mass index (BMI) compared to those with a higher BMI (OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.21-0.88), those with no unmet health needs (OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.31-3.06), those with better diet-related circumstances (OR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.15-3.39), those with lower stress (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.28-2.44), those with no suicidal ideation (OR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.75-4.87), and those without a history of psychiatric counseling (OR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.02-4.34). Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of health behaviors in promoting SRH among older adults in Korea, and emphasize the need for developing and implementing educational programs that reflect these findings.

Therapy for insomnia with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized trial of components.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine efficacy and mechanisms of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) education (COPD-ED) on clinical outcomes in adults with concurrent COPD and insomnia. METHODS: We conducted a 2 × 2 factorial study to test the impact of CBT-I and COPD-ED delivered alone or in combination on severity of insomnia and fatigue, sleep, and dyspnea. Participants were randomized to 1 of 4 groups-group 1: CBT-I + attention control (AC; health videos, n = 27); group 2: COPD-ED + AC, n = 28; group 3: CBT-I + COPD-ED, n = 27; and group 4, AC only, n = 27. Participants received six 75-minute weekly sessions. Dependent variables included insomnia severity, sleep by actigraphy, fatigue, and dyspnea measured at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at 3 months postintervention. Presumed mediators of intervention effects included beliefs and attitudes about sleep, self-efficacy for sleep and COPD, and emotional function. RESULTS: COPD patients (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1pp] 67% ± 24% [mean ± standard deviation]), aged 65 ± 8 years, with insomnia participated in the study. Insomnia and sleep improved more in patients who received CBT-I than in those who did not, an effect that was sustained at 3 months postintervention and mediated by beliefs and attitudes about sleep. CBT-I was associated with clinically important improvements in fatigue and dyspnea. When CBT-I and COPD-ED were concurrently administered, effects on insomnia, fatigue, and dyspnea were attenuated. CONCLUSIONS: CBT-I produced significant and sustained decreases in insomnia improved sleep and clinically important improvement in fatigue, and dyspnea. The combination of CBT-I and COPD-ED reduced CBT-I's effectiveness. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms associated with effects of insomnia therapy on multiple symptoms in COPD. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: A Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Co-existing with COPD; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01973647; Identifier: NCT01973647. CITATION: Kapella M, Steffen A, Prasad B, et al. Therapy for insomnia with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized trial of components. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(12):2763-2774.

Psychometric properties of the Insomnia Severity Index for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Insomnia is one of the most commonly reported symptoms among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Prior research evaluated the psychometric properties of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) with various populations, but no studies have examined the measurement properties of the instrument in the COPD population. This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the ISI for the COPD population. PATIENTS/METHODS: This study included 96 people with COPD and insomnia. As psychometric properties, the ISI's internal consistency, factor structure, and criterion validity were examined with this sample. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate construct validity. Correlations between scores for the ISI and for measures of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and dyspnea were examined to determine criterion validity. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha value for the ISI was 0.79, indicating good internal consistency. In the EFA, a single ISI factor with an eigenvalue of 3.19 accounted for 45.6% of the variance. CFA indicated adequate construct validity, and interference of sleep problems with daytime functioning and level of distress caused by sleep difficulties showed the highest factor loadings (both 0.78). Criterion validity was supported by significant, weak to moderate correlations between scores for the ISI and for measures of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and dyspnea. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidence that the ISI has good reliability and validity for measuring insomnia severity in the COPD population.

"Something Tells Me I Can't Do That No More": Experiences With Real-Time Glucose and Activity Monitoring Among Underserved Black Women With Type 2 Diabetes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore self-regulation skills with real-time activity and glucose monitoring among Black women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS: A small acceptability trial was conducted using technology (continuous glucose monitors and Fitbit) to facilitate core behaviors associated with self-regulation (self-monitoring/assessment, learning, mental contrasting [comparing current values with goal values], and goal setting/review). Participants were given continuous glucose monitors and Fitbit activity trackers for self-monitoring of blood glucose and activity. Two sessions of group diabetes education were also offered. Following the intervention, semistructured interviews and subsequent content analyses were conducted to explore how the women's experiences reflected certain self-regulation behaviors. RESULTS: Eight underserved Black women with non-insulin-requiring T2DM were included (age = 68 ± 5.2 years; A1C = 6.6% ± 1.1%; 15.3 ± 7.2 years since diagnosis). Content analysis revealed themes that were consistent with core self-regulation behaviors: experiential learning through self-monitoring, mental contrasting, and impact on behavior (actual behavior change and motivation to change behavior). CONCLUSIONS: With use of real-time glucose and activity monitoring, underserved Black women with T2DM described how they used the data from the devices to make choices about eating and activity behaviors.

Non-pharmacological sleep interventions for adult patients in intensive care Units: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To synthesize and evaluate current non-pharmacological sleep interventions for critically ill adult patients in intensive care units and provide recommendations for future studies of non-pharmacological means of improving this population's sleep quality. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: The literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Seven databases CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus and three keywords, sleep, intervention and intensive care unit were employed. All possible combinations of the keywords and similar words were considered. Included studies were primary studies, involved adult intensive care unit patients, focused on non-pharmacological sleep interventions, measured subjective and/or objective sleep quality and were published in English between January 2010 and September 2020. RESULTS: The 20 included studies examined different types of non-pharmacological sleep interventions involving use of earplugs, an eye mask, white noise, music, aromatherapy, massage, acupressure, light intensity, a sleep hygiene protocol, quiet time and minimization of nursing care. Of 18 studies employing an experimental design, most reported that non-pharmacological interventions improved sleep quality. All these interventions involved environmental factors or complementary relaxation strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Non-pharmacological sleep interventions can have a positive influence on sleep quality in critically ill patients, but more research is needed to determine their effectiveness.

A Systematic Review of Sleep Measurement in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: Clinical trialists and clinicians have used a number of sleep quality measures to determine the outcomes of interventions to improve sleep and ameliorate the neurobehavioral consequences of sleep deprivation in critically ill patients, but findings have not always been consistent. To elucidate the source of these consistencies, an important consideration is responsiveness of existing sleep measures. The purpose of an evaluative measure is to describe a construct of interest in a specific population, and to measure the extent of change in the construct over time. This systematic literature review identified measures of sleep quality in critically ill adults hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and assessed their measurement properties, strengths and weaknesses, clinical usefulness, and responsiveness. We also recommended modifications, including new technology, that may improve clinical usefulness and responsiveness of the measures in research and practice. Methods: CINAHAL, PubMed/Medline, and Cochrane Library were searched from January 1, 2000 to February 1, 2020 to identify studies that evaluated sleep quality in critically ill patients. Results: Sixty-two studies using polysomnography (PSG) and other electroencephalogram-based methods, actigraphy, clinician observation, or patient perception using questionnaires were identified and evaluated. Key recommendations are: standard criteria are needed for scoring PSG in ICU patients who often have atypical brain waves; studies are too few, samples sizes too small, and study duration too short for recommendations on electroencephalogram-based measures and actigraphy; use the Sleep Observation Tool for clinician observation of sleep; and use the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire to measure patient perception of sleep. Conclusions: Measuring the impact of interventions to prevent sleep deprivation requires reliable and valid sleep measures, and investigators have made good progress developing, testing, and applying these measures in the ICU. We recommend future large, multi-site intervention studies that measure multiple dimensions of sleep, and provide additional evidence on instrument reliability, validity, feasibility and responsiveness. We also encourage testing new technologies to augment existing measures to improve their feasibility and accuracy.