No abstract

several measures including one assessing sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI) and the other insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index; ISI). Results: The group of menopausal women reported significantly poorer sleep quality than non-menopausal women (PSQI means of 7.44 vs. 5.49, p<0.001), although both groups exceeded the threshold of 5 typically used to define poor sleep quality. Menopausal women also reported significantly more severe insomnia than non-menopausal women (ISI means of 9.64 vs. 8.07, p<0.001), and both groups also exceeded clinical threshold on this variable. There was no significant group difference on either sleep quality or insomnia severity between menopausal women with or without HRT. Conclusion: These findings suggest that menopausal women report poorer sleep quality and more severe insomnia than non-menopausal women. HRT does not seem to have a significant impact on these indices of sleep impairments. The development of therapies other than HRT is therefore warranted to reduce the impact of sleep disturbances on the quality of life of menopausal women. Results: Our study demonstrated significant differences in insomnia symptoms between reported exercise of participants (n=71) with control of hot-flashes, resulting in an identified dose for risk reduction (p<.05), and developed a brief prescreening set of questions for determining potential sleep problems (p < .001). Participants in group 1 exercise had an odds ratio 4.93 p < .05) for insomnia symptoms and the other variables, including hot flashes, had no statistical significance, p > .05. The ISI construct with seven questions resulted in a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha of 0.89) and the internal consistency improved, if reduced to 6 items (removing item #4 satisfied) as determined by a Cronbach's Alpha 0.91. Conclusion: Our study results allows for a preventative exercise dose suggestion for middle-aged women and a brief insomnia pre-screening (inquiring about nocturnal hot flashes, worry about sleep, and exercise) to prompt further investigation about their sleep problem. Our study is limited by sample size; however, we feel it provides insight into an existing exercise regimen that would be helpful in preventing insomnia symptoms during women's menopausal transition. Support (If Any): None.