The Association Between Physiological Sources of Pain and Sleep Quality in Older Adults With and Without Dementia

Authors

• Crystal-Rae Waltons, Marquette UniversityFollow
• Christine R. Kovach, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2020

Publisher

Slack Incorporated

Source Publication

Research in Gerontological Nursing

Source ISSN

1940-4921

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20201002-02

Abstract

The association of musculoskeletal pain, respiratory distress, gastrointestinal discomfort, and genitourinary pain to sleep quality in 89 persons with and without dementia was examined in the current exploratory, cross-sectional, observational quantitative design. Sources of pain were recorded, with 37.1% of the sample reporting urinary retention, 30.3% reporting genitourinary discomfort, and 53.9% reporting gastrointestinal discomfort. Mild scores of musculoskeletal pain and respiratory discomfort were elicited in >75% of the sample. An actigraph was used to measure sleep variables. Findings from this research illustrated dementia, gender, pillow use, respiratory distress, and urinary retention were statistically significantly associated with nighttime sleep quality. Results suggest comprehensive assessments of pain and sleep for older adults with and without dementia are needed. Developing and testing interventions that address factors contributing to sleep quality may improve outcomes.

Comments

Accepted version. Research in Gerontological Nursing, Vol. 13, No. 6 (2020): 297-308. DOI. © 2020 SLACK Incorporated. Used with permission.

Crystal-Rae D. Evans was affiliated with Cardinal Stritch University at the time of publication.

Recommended Citation

Waltons, Crystal-Rae and Kovach, Christine R., "The Association Between Physiological Sources of Pain and Sleep Quality in Older Adults With and Without Dementia" (2020). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 1270.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/1270