Potential Influence of Acute Dysregulated Sleep on Fall Incidence Among Low-Income Older Women: A Case Study.

PURPOSE: Chronic dysregulated sleep is associated with increased fall risk in older adults, especially in low-income communities. However, little is known about the effects of acute dysregulated sleep.

METHOD: In the current study, we report sleep characteristics the night (Nightx), week, and month prior to a reported fall in two low-income African American older women from Orlando, Florida.

RESULTS

Light, deep, rapid eye movement, wake, and total sleep duration between the 7 and 30 days preceding a reported fall were similar for both participants. However, participants had notable differences in all sleep stages, wake time after sleep, and total sleep duration when comparing Nightx to their average sleep 7 and 30 days prior. Participant A had relatively consistent sleep times, whereas Participant B did not, whose lowest total sleep time was Nightx.

CONCLUSION

An acute bout of atypical sleep may increase fall risk among low-income older women, but more research is needed to support this theory.