Sleep intervention combined with memory training for dysmnesia in the elderly / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the utility of sleep intervention combined with memory training for alleviating dysmnesia in the elderly and provide a basis for improving memory function. Methods A total of 647 community-dwelling elderly people were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Rivermead behavioral memory test ( RBMT). One hundred and fifty elderly persons with sleep disorders and dysmnesia were divided into three groups; the control group, the memory intervention group, and the sleep plus memory training group. Sleep quality and dysmnesia were evaluated again after 3 months of intervention. Results Among the 647 elderly people, the incidence of sleep disorders was 38. 8% , and of dysmnesia was 78. 4%. Dysmnesia was significantly more prevalent among subjects who also had sleep disorders. After three months of intervention, instant recall scores had declined in the control group while scores on 7 kinds of memory function had improved significantly in the memory intervention group. Scores on 10 measures of memory and sleep quality improved in the sleep plus memory intervention group. Compared to the control group, scores on 9 kinds of memory improved significantly in the memory intervention group and scores on 11 kinds of memory improved in the sleep plus memory intervention group. Compared to the memory intervention group, scores on 5 kinds of memory had improved significantly in the sleep plus memory intervention group. Conclusions The occurrence of dysmnesia in elderly people is influenced by sleep quality. Memory training can improve their memory function, but sleep intervention combined with memory training is even more effective.