Effects of speed of processing training and transcranial direct current stimulation on global sleep quality and speed of processing in older adults with and without HIV: A pilot study

Abstract

Some older adults with HIV experience poor sleep which can worsen cognition. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and cognitive training have improved sleep and cognition in studies of older adults; yet their combined influence is unknown in adults with HIV. Older adults with HIV (n = 33) and without HIV (n = 33) were randomized to receive 10 one-hour sessions of speed of processing (SOP) training with tDCS or sham tDCS over approximately 5 weeks. tDCS with SOP training did not improve sleep. Omitting correction of multiple comparisons for this exploratory pilot study, main effects for HIV (F[1, 59] = 5.26, p = .03, η p 2 = .082) and tDCS (F[1, 59] = 5.16, p = .03, η p 2 = .080) on the Digit Copy Test were detected. A HIV x tDCS interaction was detected on the Letter Comparison Test (F[1, 59] = 5.50, p = .02, η p 2 = .085). Useful Field of View scores improved across all four groups (F[1, 59] = 64.76, p < .001, η p 2 = .523). No significant effects for HIV (F[1, 59] = 1.82, p = .18) and tDCS (F[1, 59] = .01, p = .94) were detected on the Useful Field of View test. While the current study did not show effects of combined tDCS and SOP training on sleep quality, future studies are needed to examine the effects of such interventions on sleep-related cognitive functions among those cognitively impaired adults with HIV.

The Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation of the Brain on Sleep: A Systematic Review

“…Fifteen studies investigated the impact of tES on subjective aspects of sleep in healthy ( 45 , 52 , 71 – 73 ) and clinical samples ( 41 – 44 , 46 , 48 , 66 , 74 – 81 ). Most used parallel arms ( 45 , 52 , 66 , 72 ) or crossover-controlled designs ( 41 – 43 , 46 , 71 , 73 , 74 , 78 , 80 , 81 ). The others were uncontrolled series or case reports.…”

“…In parallel, a single placebo-controlled trial in individuals with post-polio syndrome observed a significant PSQI improvement after 15 consecutive sessions of tDCS with two anodes targeting primary motor areas ( 41 ). Besides, studies exploring the impact of tDCS targeting the inferior frontal cortex in HIV patients ( 43 ) and targeting the motor areas in patients with restless legs syndrome ( 46 ) and chronic pain associated with insomnia ( 78 ) yielded negative results.…”

“…The age of the participants varied from 12.3 to 73.4 years. Only 8 studies out of 40 reported transient adverse effects associated to the tES procedure (41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48). Overall, the quality assessment was satisfactory (mean: 22.1 ± 3.99).…”

A Critical Review of Symptom Management Nursing Science on HIV-Related Fatigue and Sleep Disturbance

“…Overall, nurse-led interventions to address HIV-related sleep disturbances were composed of two mechanisms targeting the biological response or sleep hygiene behaviors. Three biological response studies included acupuncture treatment [47], 30-day caffeine withdrawal [48], and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) [49]. The other three psychoeducational intervention studies on sleep hygiene included SystemCHANGETM-HIV intervention [50], Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia [51], and 'Sleep B.E.T.T.E.R' [45].…”

The effect of incontinence on sleep quality in the elderly

“…Wang et al investigated morbidity and symptom prevalence in the elderly and found that elderly individuals mostly experience sleep problems (37.7%) 6 . Many studies have reported that individuals aged 65 and over frequently experience sleep problems 6‐11 . It has been determined that elderly individuals generally experience problems such as falling asleep, waking up frequently at night, sleeping too much during the day, insomnia, and waking up early 12,13 .…”