Sleep disturbances in hospitalized patients with cancer.

PURPOSE/

OBJECTIVES

To describe the relationship between nocturnal disturbances and sleep (length and quality) in hospitalized patients with cancer.

DESIGN

Descriptive, correlational.

SETTING

A regional oncology center located in a large teaching hospital.

SAMPLE: Fifty hospitalized patients with cancer (58% female, x age = 48 years), all with solid tumors.

METHODS

The investigator observed and recorded the number and characteristics of nocturnal disturbances using the Sleep Environment Observation Tool and the Taxonomy of Patient Participation. Patients completed the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale, which measures perceived sleep length and quality.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Number and timing of nocturnal disturbances, patient participation in care, sleep length, and sleep quality.

FINDINGS: Number and total duration of nocturnal disturbances as well as level of patient participation in nocturnal care were negatively correlated with sleep quality. Sleep length was not correlated with any other variable.

CONCLUSIONS

Nocturnal disturbances had a negative effect on sleep quality.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The number and duration of disturbances and the level of patient participation in care should be minimized during nighttime hours.