Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

NRI 01-077 – HSR Study

 
NRI 01-077
Sleep and Behavioral Disturbance in Dementia
Kathleen C. Richards, PhD RN
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center, Little Rock, AR
No. Little Rock, AR
Funding Period: October 2002 - March 2007
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Nocturnal behavioral disturbance is highly prevalent among elders with dementia and frequently leads to their instituionalization. We hypothesized that nighttime behavioral disturbacnes may be associated with three common sleep disorders: obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and restless legs syndrome (RLS). The purpose of this study was to determine in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen saturation nadir, periodic leg movement sleep index (PLMI), possible RLS, and total sleep time predict observed nighttime behavioral symtopms in persons with dementia

OBJECTIVE(S):
The specific aims of this study are to: 1) describe the sleep and behavioral patterns of elders with CI whose caregivers report nighttime sleep and behavioral disturbance, and 2) explore the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and restless legs syndrome on nighttime sleep and behavioral disturbances in elders with CI

METHODS:
A sleep technician conducted two overnight attended full polysomnography (PSG) studies in the homes of the 60 participants (41 males). Within one week, a trained research assistant (RA) observed participants continuously in their homes for three nights (a total of 19 hours) for nighttime behavioral symptoms using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. We used these observations to calculate behavioral symptoms per hour of observation (Behavioral Disturbance Index (BDI)) during presumed wake. The RA also observed for specific RLS behaviors, such as rubbing the legs and frequent crossing of legs every five minutes. Interrater reliability of the RA's observations, done at study onset and quarterly during data collection, rangedfrom .90 - .95. One registered polysomnographic techologist, blinded to frequency of behavioral symptoms in participants, scored the overnight PSG studies. Since older adults with dementia often do not have the cognitive skills to answer the RLS diagnostic interview questions, two RLS experts independently rated each participant as possible RLS or no RLS based on the following data: 1)diagnoses and medications, 2) caffine and alcohol intake, 3) chief sleep complaint (from caregive and/or elder), 4) caregiver RLS diagnostic interview, 5) polysomnography data including AHI and PLMI, and 6) RA obersavtions of RLS signs. Correlations were used to analyze these data. TheBDI was the dependent variable in zero-order and multiple regressions. Only significant zero-order correlations with the BDI criteria were used in the multiple regressions. Square-root adjustments substantially improved BDI normality; the AHI predictor required a lof transformation.

FINDINGS/RESULTS:
Mean agge was 79.05 years (s.d. = 6.03) and mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 20.05 (s.d. = 7.33). The most common behavioral symptom was general restlessness (43 persons). RLS, MMSE and log AHI significantly predicted BDI (R2 = .31, N=57, F[3,53]=9.40, p=.000). All three predictors were uniquely significant. The post estimation tests (omitten variables and variance inflation fator) were well within accepted levels.

Conclusions: Poissble RLS, a lower MMSE and a lower AHI were associated with objectively measured nighttime behavioral symptoms, such as wandering and general restlessness, in elders with dementia. Sensitive objective RLS diagnostic measures and effectve treatment may reduce caregiver burden and institutionalization of elders with dementia.

IMPACT:
If the specific sleep disorders of older adults who have dementia and nighttime sleep and behavioral disturbances are identified, more informed, targeted, and effective interventions may delay or preempt the institutionalization resulting in significant cost savings to the VA and improving the quality of life of veterans with dementia and their caregivers. The findings of this research led to a R01 grant on the Validation of Measures of Restless Leg Syndrome for Elders with Memory Disorder.


External Links for this Project

Dimensions for VA

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

Learn more about Dimensions for VA.

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
    Search Dimensions for this project

PUBLICATIONS:

Journal Articles

  1. Richards KC, Lambert C, Beck CK, Bliwise DL, Evans WJ, Kalra GK, Kleban MH, Lorenz R, Rose K, Gooneratne NS, Sullivan DH. Strength training, walking, and social activity improve sleep in nursing home and assisted living residents: randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2011 Feb 1; 59(2):214-23. [view]
  2. Cole CS, Richards KC, Smith-Olinde L, Roberson PK, Sullivan DH. Tone-induced sleep fragmentation in persons with Alzheimer's disease: a feasibility study. Biological Research For Nursing. 2010 Jan 1; 11(3):229-35. [view]
Conference Presentations

  1. Richards KC, Lambert CW, Beck CK. Behavioral Indicator Test: Restless Legs. Poster session presented at: Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC Annual Meeting; 2007 Jun 9; Minneapolis, MN. [view]
  2. Richards K. Diagnosing Restless Legs Syndrome in Persons with Dementia. Poster session presented at: VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) Geriatrics and Extended Care Leadership Annual Conference; 2006 May 16; Minneapolis, MN. [view]
  3. Richards KC. Diagnosing Restless Legs Syndrome in persons with dementia. Paper presented at: Associated Professional Sleep Societies Annual Meeting (SLEEP); 2006 Jun 17; Salt Lake City, UT. [view]
  4. Richards K, Sullivan D, Chernoff R, Hudson T, Spollen J, Hollis D. Management of Insomnia in Older Adults. Poster session presented at: VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) Geriatrics and Extended Care Leadership Annual Conference; 2006 May 16; Minneapolis, MN. [view]
  5. Viegas S, Beck CK, Richards KC, Lambert C, Cole CS. Predictors of Daytime Sleep among Elderly Nursing Home Residents with Dementia. Paper presented at: Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC Annual Meeting; 2005 Jun 18; Denver, CO. [view]
  6. Viegas S, Beck CK, Richards KC, Lambert C, Cole CS. Predictors of Daytime Sleep among Elderly Nursing Home Residents with Dementia. Paper presented at: Southern Sleep Society Annual Meeting; 2005 Mar 20; New Orleans, LA. [view]
  7. Richards KC, Roberson P, Lambert C, Simpson K. Predictors of nighttime total sleep in elders with dementia. Paper presented at: Associated Professional Sleep Societies Annual Meeting (SLEEP); 2006 Jun 17; Salt Lake City, UT. [view]
  8. Glover J, Richards K, Cole S, Lambert C, Luchsinger M, Williams J, Shue V. Relationship between Nighttime Sleep and Behavioral Symptoms in Persons with Dementia. Poster session presented at: Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC Annual Meeting; 2006 Jun 17; Salt Lake City, UT. [view]
  9. Glover J, Richards K, Cole C, Lambert C, Luchsinger M, Williams J, Shue V. Relationship between Nighttime Sleep and Caregiver Burden in Persons with Dementia. Poster session presented at: Associated Professional Sleep Societies Annual Meeting (SLEEP); 2006 Jun 17; Salt Lake City, UT. [view]
  10. Cole C, Richards K, Glover J, Lambert C, Williams J. The Relationship between Caregiver Report of Nighttime Agitated Behaviors and Sleep in People with Dementia. Poster session presented at: Associated Professional Sleep Societies Annual Meeting (SLEEP); 2006 Jun 17; Salt Lake City, UT. [view]


DRA: Mental, Cognitive and Behavioral Disorders, Aging, Older Veterans' Health and Care, Health Systems
DRE: Diagnosis
Keywords: Dementia, Sleep disorders
MeSH Terms: none

Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.