Sleep disturbances and related factors among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer

Abstract

Sleep disturbances were common among the Taiwanese FCs of patients with advanced cancer. FCs with risk factors for sleep disturbances should be identified and provided assistance.

Dyadic effects of distress on sleep duration in advanced cancer patients and spouse caregivers

“…Most research on sleep disturbance in cancer caregivers has focused on early-stage disease. 27 However, the biological and psychological processes influencing sleep in cancer patients may be exacerbated in the context of advanced cancer. For example, advanced cancer patients often undergo more arduous treatments or have more pain than earlier-stage patients, both of which can impact sleep.…”

“…Most research on sleep disturbance in cancer caregivers has focused on early‐stage disease . However, the biological and psychological processes influencing sleep in cancer patients may be exacerbated in the context of advanced cancer.…”

“…Patients and caregivers can substantially impact each other's sleep; yet, little research has examined sleep in this dyadic context. Even less work has examined the dyadic effects of psychological distress on sleep in patients and caregivers, particularly in the setting of advanced cancer . To address this gap in knowledge, this study sought to determine how psychological distress impacts sleep in a sample of advanced cancer patients and their spouse caregivers.…”

The hidden patient: chronic physical morbidity, psychological distress, and quality of life in caregivers of older adults

“…Burton et al examined the hazards of caregiving and found that increased caregiving activity escalates the possibility of a fatigued caregiver, putting the caregiver at a higher risk of declining physical and mental health . Other studies have also observed that poor sleep and increased fatigue have negative effects on caregivers’ physical and mental health by exacerbating physical and psychological morbidity, and reducing quality of life . Although some studies have recognized the benefits of caregiving, most studies have reported a high prevalence of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety .…”

Contributing influences of work environment on sleep quantity and quality of nursing assistants in long-term care facilities: A cross-sectional study

“…Identified risk factors for sleep problems include socio-demographics such as age 18,19 ; gender 18 ; race 20 ; marital status 21 ; education 22 ; and dependent family members. 23 Sleep problems have also been linked to lifestyle factors such as smoking 24 and physical activity 25 ; and health conditions such as obesity, 26 chronic diseases, 27 and musculoskeletal pain. 28 …”