scholarly journals The treatment of sleep problems in autistic adults in the United Kingdom

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110072
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Halstead ◽  
Emma Sullivan ◽  
Zoe Zambelli ◽  
Jason G Ellis ◽  
Dagmara Dimitriou
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Autistic Adults ◽  
Sleep Treatment

Sleep problems are one of the most common complaints in autistic adults. This study aimed to report the perspectives of autistic adults in the United Kingdom on treatment of their sleep problems. A total of 288 autistic adults living in the United Kingdom completed an online survey including assessments of their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, reporting their experiences and preferences of sleep treatment with UK healthcare professionals and, their experiences of self-management of their sleep. Self-report data revealed 58% of participants had not attended a consultation with a healthcare professional regarding their sleep problem despite 90% meeting the criteria for poor sleep quality (based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Of the participants who attended a consultation for their sleep, 72% were prescribed medication and 60% were not satisfied with the outcome. Self-management of sleep problems was not effective for 80% of participants; 41% reported a preference for non-medication options such as education, advice and talking therapies for sleep treatment. This report highlights the need for a fundamental shift in the consideration of sleep problems in autistic adults given the high levels of co-morbidity. The development of successful management strategies in adulthood that importantly considering autistic adults’ preferences could reduce sleep problems and overall improve quality of life for autistic adults. Long term this could also reduce the need for prescribed medication in this population. Lay abstract Sleep problems are one of the most common complaints by autistic adults. This study aimed to report the perspectives of autistic adults on treatment of their sleep problems; 288 autistic adults living in the United Kingdom completed an online survey which assessed their sleep quality. We also gathered data on experiences and preferences of sleep treatment with UK healthcare professionals and their experiences of self-management of their sleep; 58% of autistic adults never had a visit with a healthcare professional regarding their sleep problem, despite 90% meeting the criteria for poor sleep quality. Some of those who attended a consultation for their sleep were prescribed medication (72%), but 60% were not satisfied with the outcome. The participants also reported that sleep self-management was not effective (80%); 41% reported a preference for non-medication including education, advice and talking therapies for sleep treatment. This report highlights the need for a fundamental shift in treatment of sleep problems in autistic adults. The current treatments are not resolving sleep issues; hence, it is imperative to develop management strategies that considers autistic adults’ preferences, reduces sleep problems and thus improves quality of life for autistic adults.

scholarly journals Poor Sleep Quality Experience and Self-Management Strategies in Fibromyalgia: A Qualitative Metasynthesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 4000
Author(s):  
Carolina Climent-Sanz ◽  
Genís Morera-Amenós ◽  
Filip Bellon ◽  
Roland Pastells-Peiró ◽  
Joan Blanco-Blanco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
General Health Status ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Comprehensive Search ◽  
Sleepless Night ◽  
Prevalent Symptom

Poor sleep quality is a major concern and a highly prevalent symptom in fibromyalgia. We aimed to develop a metasynthesis of qualitative studies to assess how people diagnosed with fibromyalgia experience and manage poor sleep quality following the concepts of the Symptom Management Theory. The principles of metasynthesis established by Sandelowski and Barroso were utilized. A pre-planned comprehensive search was implemented in PubMed, Scopus, ISI WebofScience, and Cinahl Plus databases. The methodological quality was assessed following the CASP Qualitative Checklist. The findings of the studies were subjected to a metasummary and a metasynthesis. Seventeen studies were included in the metasynthesis. Two overarching themes were pre-established: (1) experience of poor sleep quality in Fibromyalgia and (2) poor sleep quality management strategies in Fibromyalgia. Four sub-themes emerged from the results: (1) evaluation of poor sleep quality, (2) response to poor sleep quality, (3) management strategies to favor sleep, and (4) managing the consequences of a sleepless night. Poor sleep quality is a severe and disabling symptom that negatively impacts the general health status of people diagnosed with FM. Prescribed treatments are commonly seen as ineffective and self-management strategies are a last resort and do not show beneficial effects.

scholarly journals Predictiveness of Covid-19 Anxiety and Emotion Regulation on Sleep Quality: The Moderator Effect of Gender

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-56
Author(s):  
İsmail YELPAZE
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
The Body ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Moderator Effect ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Good Sleep

Prior research indicates that anxiety and emotion regulation are related to sleep quality. This study extends the body of research by investigating how people in different gender groups are affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) anxiety and emotion regulation in terms of sleep quality. The present study examined gender as a potential moderating variable on the associations of Covid-19 anxiety and emotion regulation with sleep quality. University students were recruited via e-mail to participate in a brief online survey. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Fear of COVID-19, and Emotion Management Skills Scale. The current study used SPSS PROCESS, an SPSS macro developed by Hayes. Results indicated that Covid-19 anxiety was related to poor sleep quality and emotion regulation was related to good sleep quality. Gender was a significant moderator for the relationship between Covid-19 anxiety and sleep quality, but not emotion regulation and sleep quality. The female gender presented a positive association between Covid-19 anxiety and poor sleep quality in comparison to the male gender. The relationship between emotion regulation and good sleep quality was found to be significant and positive for both genders. In the pandemic, Covid-19 anxiety should be reduced and people should have skills to manage their emotions. Otherwise, they will experience serious sleep problems.

scholarly journals Disproportionality analysis of adverse neurological and psychiatric reactions with the ChAdOx1 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccines in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago Perez-Lloret ◽  
Nikolai Petrovsky ◽  
Abdallah Alami ◽  
James Crispo ◽  
Donald Mattison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Event ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Disproportionality Analysis ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
P Values ◽  
The United Kingdom

Objective: The information on neurologic or psychiatric adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines is limited. Our objective was to examine the odds of neurological and psychiatric adverse reactions to BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and ChAdOx1 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: We analyzed all Adverse Vaccine Reaction reports to the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency between December 9, 2020 and June 30, 2021 that mentioned the BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 vaccines. We compared the rates of adverse neurological and psychiatric reactions with ChAdOx1 to those with BNT162b2. P-values were obtained by a Bonferroni-adjusted Z-test for proportions. Results: As of June 30, 2021, 53.2 M doses of ChAdOx1 and 46.1 M doses of BNT162b2 had been administered. We extracted information from 300,518 distinct reports. The number of individual adverse neurologic or psychiatric reaction reports were less than 200/M doses administered, except headache which was reported in 1,550 and 395 cases/M doses of ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2, respectively. Compared to BNT162b2, cerebral hemorrhagic or thrombotic events, headaches and migraines, Guillain-Barre syndrome and paresthesias, tremor and freezing, delirium, hallucinations, nervousness, poor sleep quality, and postural dizziness were more frequently reported with ChAdOx1. Reactions more frequently reported with BNT162b2 than ChAdOx1 were Bell's palsy, facial paralysis, dysgeusia, anxiety, and presyncope or syncope. Conclusion: Significant differences in the neurologic and psychiatric adverse event profiles of the ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 vaccines may exist, emphasizing the need for additional research. The beneficial and protective effects of the COVID-19 vaccines far outweigh the low potential risk of neurologic and psychiatric reactions.

scholarly journals Anxiety, Insomnia, and Napping Predict Poorer Sleep Quality in an Autistic Adult Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9883
Author(s):  
Emma C. Sullivan ◽  
Elizabeth J. Halstead ◽  
Jason G. Ellis ◽  
Dagmara Dimitriou
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Subscale Score ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Stepwise Multiple Regression ◽  
Daytime Somnolence ◽  
Autistic Adults

Autistic adults have a high prevalence of sleep problems and psychiatric conditions. In the general population sleep problems have been associated with a range of demographic and lifestyle factors. Whether the same factors contribute to different types of disturbed sleep experienced by autistic adults is unknown and served as the main aim of this study. An online survey was conducted with 493 autistic adults. Demographic information (e.g., age, gender), about lifestyle (e.g., napping), and information about comorbid conditions was collected. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to assess daytime somnolence. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to examine predictors of each subscale score on the PSQI, as well as PSQI and ESS total scores. Results indicated that individuals who reported having a diagnosis of anxiety and insomnia were more likely to have poorer sleep quality outcomes overall. Furthermore, individuals who reported habitually napping had higher daytime dysfunction, increased sleep disturbances, and increased daytime sleepiness. These results provide novel insights into the demographic and lifestyle factors that influence sleep quality and daytime somnolence in autistic adults and can be used for targeted sleep interventions.

scholarly journals Sleep among gender minority adolescents

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica C Levenson ◽  
Brian C Thoma ◽  
Jessica L Hamilton ◽  
Sophia Choukas-Bradley ◽  
Rachel H Salk
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Minority Adolescents ◽  
Inadequate Sleep

Abstract Study Objectives Stigmatized youth experience poorer sleep than those who have not experienced stigma. However, no studies have examined the sleep of gender minority adolescents (GMAs). Examining sleep disparities between GMAs and non-GMAs is critical because poor sleep is associated with mental health outcomes experienced disproportionately by GMAs. We examined sleep duration, sleep problems, and sleep quality among our sample and compared these parameters between GMAs and non-GMAs. Methods Adolescents aged 14–18 years (n = 1,027 GMA, n = 329 heterosexual non-GMA, n = 415 sexual minority non-GMA; mean age = 16 years; 83% female sex at birth) completed a cross-sectional online survey, reporting sex assigned at birth and current gender identity, sleep duration, sleep problems (too much/too little sleep and inadequate sleep), sleep quality, and depressive symptoms. Results Accounting for demographic covariates, GMAs were more likely to report inadequate sleep and shorter sleep duration and had higher odds of reporting poor sleep quality and getting too little/too much sleep than heterosexual non-GMAs. After also adjusting for depressive symptoms, the finding that GMAs more often reported poor sleep quality remained significant. Conclusions This first large, nationwide survey of sleep among GMAs suggests that GMAs may be more likely to have poor sleep than non-GMAs. The significance of our results was reduced when adjusting for depressive symptoms, suggesting that poorer sleep may occur in the context of depression for GMAs. Future work should include objective measures of sleep, examine the emergence of sleep disparities among GMAs and non-GMAs, and explore pathways that increase risk for poor sleep among GMAs.

scholarly journals Fragmented sleep relates to hallucinations across perceptual modalities in the general population

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne G. Brederoo ◽  
Janna N. de Boer ◽  
Jacqueline de Vries ◽  
Mascha M. J. Linszen ◽  
Iris E. C. Sommer
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Perceptual Modalities

AbstractAlthough previous studies reported a link between sleep problems and the occurrence of hallucinations, more detailed information is needed to translate this association into clinical practice. This study investigates sleep quality and its relation to prevalence, type, content, and phenomenology of hallucinations, using an online survey in a large population sample (n = 10,299). Based on community-based cluster analysis, four groups could be distinguished that differed in terms of sleep quality. Our results confirm previous studies in showing that poor sleep is associated with the occurrence of hallucinations, and extend previous results on a number of aspects. First, we show that particularly fragmented sleep relates to the occurrence of hallucinations. Second, we show that this is the case for hallucinations across the auditory, visual, olfactory, and tactile domains. Third, our results show that fragmented sleep not only relates to the occurrence, but also to the content, frequency, duration, and associated distress of hallucinations. Finally, compared to poor sleep, good sleep quality is associated with hallucinations that are less negative and disruptive. We conclude that sleep hygiene measures could have a large positive impact on individuals whose fragmented sleep underlies the occurrence of bothersome hallucinations.

scholarly journals Persistence of the Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Sleep: A Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1520
Author(s):  
Maurizio Gorgoni ◽  
Serena Scarpelli ◽  
Anastasia Mangiaruga ◽  
Valentina Alfonsi ◽  
Maria R. Bonsignore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Sleep Arousal ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Restrictive Measures

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep have been widely documented, but longitudinal evaluations during different phases of the “COVID-19 era” are needed to disentangle the specific consequences of the r145estrictive measures on sleep variables. The aim of this study was to assess the immediate effect of the lockdown’s end on sleep and sleep-related dimensions in an Italian sample, also considering the stress and depressive symptoms. We used an online survey to longitudinally collect data on sociodemographic, environmental, clinical, sleep, and sleep-related variables in two time points: during and immediately after the lockdown. The final sample included 102 participants. The large prevalence of poor sleep quality, clinically relevant pre-sleep arousal, and depressive symptoms, as well as poor sleep quality and pre-sleep arousal score observed during the lockdown, remained stable after its end. On the other hand, the prevalence of moderate-to-severe event-related stress and intrusive symptom scores exhibited a drastic reduction after the end of home confinement. Both bedtime and rise time were anticipated after the lockdown, while sleep quality exhibited only a trend of post-lockdown sleep disturbance reduction. Our findings point to a reduced stress level (specific for the intrusive symptomatology) after the end of the lockdown and persistence of sleep problems, suggesting two non-mutually exclusive hypotheses: (a) the strict restrictive measures are not the main cause of sleep problems during the pandemic and (b) home confinement induces long-lasting effects on sleep observable after its end, and a longer period of time might be needed to observe an improvement.

Association between smartphone addiction proneness and poor sleep quality in korean university students

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S332-S332 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.B. Min ◽  
M. Jin-young ◽  
K. Hyun-Jin ◽  
K. Hye-Jin
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Smartphone Addiction ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
User Group ◽  
Sleep Habits ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality

BackgroundThe number of Korean smartphone users exceeded 40 million in 2015, in which roughly 1 in 5 university students were expected to be addicted to their smartphone. Of importance is that smartphone addiction negatively affects physical and mental well-being and health. Sleep problems associated with smartphone is also a serious public concern; but the evidence is lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between smartphone addiction proneness and sleep problems in Korean university students.MethodsWe conducted an online-survey which received responses from 608 university students. All participants completed questionnaires on the Korean smartphone addiction scale (K-SAS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and personal characteristics. Based on the scores of the K-SAS, university students were classified into two groups–the addiction proneness group and the normal-user group.ResultsThe addiction proneness groups had a higher PSQI score than the normal-user group (7.5 vs. 6.7, P-value < 0.0001). After adjustment for potential covariates (i.e., age, income, and smoking), PSQI scores was significantly increased in the addiction proneness groups (Beta coefficient = 0.69; 95% CI : 0.29 ∼ 1.09). The risk of sleep problems was more increased in the addiction proneness groups (odds ratio = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.33 ∼ 2.98) than the normal-user groups.ConclusionWe found that the smartphone addiction proneness was associated with sleep problems in university students. Although our findings are further confirmed by elucidating causal relationships between smartphone uses and sleep habits, smartphone addiction proneness may be a risk factor for poor sleep quality.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Looking after yourself: Clinical understandings of chronic-care self-management strategies in rural and urban contexts of the United Kingdom and Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 205031211453263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Mary Carr ◽  
Penny Paliadelis ◽  
Monique Lhussier ◽  
Natalie Forster ◽  
Simon Eaton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Chronic Care ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Self Management ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Urban Contexts

scholarly journals Understanding factors relevant to poor sleep and coping methods in people with schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Ching Chang ◽  
Megan C. Chang ◽  
Yun-Jou Chang ◽  
Ming-De Chen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Coping Methods

Abstract Background Sleep disruption is pervasive in people with schizophrenia, but few studies have explored their sleep experiences. This study aims to identify factors relevant to sleep problems and explore coping methods used by community-dwelling people with schizophrenia. Methods Eighteen participants with schizophrenia were recruited from three mental health centers in Taiwan. They completed a semi-structured interview and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessment. The Person-Environment-Occupation model offered a framework to assess factors related to sleep. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data analysis. Results Factors related to sleep were classified under person, environment, and occupation domains. The person domain included three subthemes: psychiatric symptoms, unpleasant emotions, and frustration about sleep. The environment domain included three subthemes: sensory intrusions from the environment, quality of bedding, and roommates. The occupation domain included sleep interruption and sleep preparation. There were notable discrepancies in sleep quality between the participants’ narratives and their PSQI global scores. Regarding coping methods for poor sleep, sleep medication was the primary strategy while some participants also used other strategies, such as modifying the environment, adjusting routines, or engaging in activities that improve sleep quality. Conclusions Psychiatric symptoms and nightmares were identified as unique sleep disruptions in people with schizophrenia, and poor economic status was also found to impact their sleep. The sleep quality of people with schizophrenia tends to be poor, as identified by the PSQI, even though they may have positive perceptions of their sleep quality. Our participants appeared to prefer to take hypnotics to address their sleep problems, which may be due to limited knowledge about alternatives. Mental health professionals are encouraged to receive training in the application of non-pharmacological approaches to support their clients’ issues related to sleep.

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