Pregnancy as a window of opportunity for dementia prevention: a narrative review.

Dementia is a debilitating condition with a disproportionate impact on women. While sex differences in longevity contribute to the disparity, the role of the female sex as a biological variable in disease progression is not yet fully elucidated. Metabolic dysfunctions are drivers of dementia etiology, and cardiometabolic diseases are among the most influential modifiable risk factors. Pregnancy is a time of enhanced vulnerability for metabolic disorders. Many dementia risk factors, such as hypertension or blood glucose dysregulation, often emerge for the first time in pregnancy. While such cardiometabolic complications in pregnancy pose a risk to the health trajectory of a woman, increasing her odds of developing type 2 diabetes or chronic hypertension, it is not fully understood how this relates to her risk for dementia. Furthermore, structural and functional changes in the maternal brain have been reported during pregnancy suggesting it is a time of neuroplasticity for the mother. Therefore, pregnancy may be a window of opportunity to optimize metabolic health and support the maternal brain. Healthy dietary patterns are known to reduce the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and have been linked to dementia prevention, yet interventions targeting cognitive function in late life have largely been unsuccessful. Earlier interventions are needed to address the underlying metabolic dysfunctions and potentially reduce the risk of dementia, and pregnancy offers an ideal opportunity to intervene. This review discusses current evidence regarding maternal brain health and the potential window of opportunity in pregnancy to use diet to address neurological health disparities for women.

The Impact of Sleep on the Lives of Women Who Have Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Qualitative Exploration.

Background: Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) have many lifelong symptoms of anxiety, depression, lymphedema, and fatigue that can be exacerbated by sleep disturbance. However, little is known about unique factors contributing to sleep disturbance among BCSs with lymphedema; this requires further investigation to offer appropriate support and treatment to these individuals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to capture perceptions and experiences of lymphedema and sleep among BCSs with lymphedema. Methods and Results: Qualitative description guided data collection and analysis as part of a mixed-methods investigation to characterize sleep disturbance among BCSs with and without lymphedema. The participants were interviewed one-on-one using a semistructured interview guide. Inductive content analysis was completed using an iterative coding approach, condensing, and categorizing to develop four themes. Seven BCSs with lymphedema participated. From their narratives, four themes were developed: (1) mind and body fatigue are exacerbated by sleep disturbance; (2) fatigue impacted fragile coping and support systems; (3) fatigue influenced self-identity and roles in society; and (4) self-management strategies were used for sleep health. Conclusion: The participants' perceptions of sleep disturbances' impact on their lives endorse further investigation into optimal interventions to improve sleep quality and modify these impactful findings to create a higher quality of life for survivorship.

Toward sleep health as a focus of physical therapy practice: one lecture can positively impact sleep knowledge and beliefs in entry-level students.

BACKGROUND: Challenges to integrating health promotion including sleep health into entry-level physical therapist curricula include lack of faculty expertise, time, and support. A lecture provided by a content expert may mitigate such challenges. The purpose of this study was to determine if a sleep education session impacts Doctor of Physical Therapy students' knowledge and beliefs about sleep. METHODS: Faculty shared the opportunity to participate in the study 1-3 days prior to the remotely-provided lecture including sleep health assessment and interventions. The survey included demographics, a sleep health knowledge question, 11 questions on "What I think about sleep as a professional", and the 20-item Sleep Beliefs Scale. McNemar's and paired sample t-tests determined change in knowledge and beliefs. RESULTS: 209 individuals (70% female, 86% Caucasian, 25.5 ± 3.4 years old) completed the pre-lecture survey, and 137 individuals completed the post-lecture survey. There was an increase in knowledge about sleep health (p < .001) and change in Sleep Beliefs Scales score (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A single remotely provided sleep education session increased DPT students' knowledge and changed their beliefs about sleep. Future studies should determine if these positive beliefs about sleep translate into clinical practice and enhance patient outcomes.

Modifying diet and exercise in multiple sclerosis (MoDEMS): A randomized controlled trial for behavioral weight loss in adults with multiple sclerosis and obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis (MS) and MS-related disability. The efficacy of behavioral weight loss interventions among people with MS (pwMS) remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: Examine whether a group-based telehealth weight loss intervention produces clinically significant weight loss in pwMS and obesity. METHODS: Seventy-one pwMS were randomized to the weight loss intervention or treatment-as-usual (TAU). The 6-month program promoted established guidelines for calorie reduction and increased physical activity. Anthropometric measurements, mobility tasks, self-report questionnaires, and accelerometry were used to assess changes at follow-up. RESULTS: Mean percent weight loss in the treatment group was 8.6% compared to 0.7% in the TAU group (p < .001). Sixty-five percent of participants in the intervention achieved clinically meaningful weight loss (⩾ 5%). Participants in the treatment group engaged in 46.2 minutes/week more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than TAU participants (p = .017) and showed improvements in quality of life (p = .012). Weight loss was associated with improved mobility (p = .003) and reduced fatiguability (p = .008). CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate the efficacy of a behavioral intervention for pwMS and obesity, with clinically significant weight loss for two-thirds of participants in the treatment condition. Weight loss may also lead to improved mobility and quality of life.

Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Sleep Health into Outpatient Physical Therapist Practice: A Survey Study.

AIMS: While challenges and barriers to incorporating health promotion into physical therapist (PT) practice have been previously described, none have specifically assessed the challenges and barriers to incorporating sleep health into PT practice. The objective of this study was to elucidate the perceived barriers and facilitators of incorporating sleep health into outpatient PT practice. METHODS: An electronic survey was developed via qualitative interview and expert feedback. Invitation to participate was posted on two professional organization's discussion boards and sent via email to alumni, clinical instructors, and PT colleagues. Descriptive analyses were conducted. RESULTS: 128 individuals (72% female, age 39.6 ± 10.3 years) completed the survey. The top three barriers were: "Patient's low motivation to change their sleep behavior" (87%), and "Lack of sleep assessment resources" and "Lack of sleep intervention resources" (both 82%). The top three facilitators were: "Growing knowledge of importance of sleep in PT practice" (86%), "Shift in PT practice to emphasis on health promotion and wellness" (84%), and "Shift in PT practice to person-centered focus" (80%). CONCLUSION: Understanding factors contributing to the "knowledge-to-action" sleep health gap in PT practice will aid in the development of strategies to mitigate the barriers and strengthen the facilitators.

Examining the prevalence of sleep disturbances in patients seeking physical therapy services.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbances in adults seeking physical therapy services. METHODS: Participants were issued an electronic survey to provide demographic information and the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), STOP-BANG (obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk), and restless leg syndrome (RLS) risk. Percentages were calculated to describe prevalence of sleep disturbances, and Spearman's correlations were used to identify associations between pain and sleep questionnaires. RESULTS: Eighty-eight participants (47.9 ± 15.8 years, 68 females) completed the survey. Seventy-eight percent (n = 69) scored >5 on the PSQI; 32% (n = 28) scored ≥10 on the ESS; 52% (n = 46) scored ≥16 on the SHI; 51% (n = 45) scored ≥10 on the ISI; 28% (n = 25) had intermediate or high risk of OSA; and 40% (n = 35) indicated possible RLS. Pain level was significantly associated with PSQI (r(86) = 0.277, p = .009) and ISI (r(86) = 0.268, p = .012). CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances in adults seeking physical therapy services than in the general population. Increased pain severity was associated with poorer sleep quality and increased insomnia symptoms. This study highlights the need to screen patients for sleep disturbances.

Knowledge and attitudes of physiotherapists toward sleep: A survey study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep has been considered as a critical brain state that affects various body functions relevant to physiotherapy (PTs) practice such as motor learning and relearning, pain management, and cognitive function. Despite the importance of sleep for successful rehabilitation outcomes, sleep is often overlooked by PTs. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the attitude and perception of PTs on the need to assess sleep and provide education about sleep for their patients, as well as the perceived need for PTs to be educated on sleep topics. METHODS: A survey questionnaire to assess physical therapist's perceptions and attitudes about sleep was utilized in this study. RESULTS: 90 PTs fill out the survey. All respondents agreed that poor sleep is important to people's health, 93% agreed that PTs should assess patients' sleep habits and sleep quality and 88% agreed that addressing sleep issues may impact PTs outcomes. The majority did not receive education about sleep during PT education (75%) or following graduation (86%). Most respondents (95%) think PTs should receive education about sleep. CONCLUSIONS: our findings indicated that PTs recognize that sleep impacts their outcomes and patients' sleep should be assessed, as well as the need to receive education about sleep. Therefore, PT education programs may consider incorporating education about sleep, and the development of continuing education courses is also needed.

Social support predicts sleep quality in people with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality is one of the most prominent patient-reported problems in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in PwMS having less contact with physicians, therapists, support groups, and family, which led to decreased access to typical supports. The purpose of this study was to assess how social support impacted sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic in PwMS within the United States. METHODS: Anonymous surveys were utilized to gather data from February - May 2021 from 209 PwMS during their return appointments (face-to-face and virtual) at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC)'s MS Clinic in the United States. SPSS 27 was used to run four regressions in order to determine if social support predicted sleep quality with and without the inclusion of covariates (age, education, disability, anxiety/depression). RESULTS: The results indicate that overall feelings of being socially supported predict sleep quality. Additionally, various facets of social support predict sleep quality, even when controlling for covariates. Interestingly, while depression and anxiety were significant predictors of sleep quality, those constructs do not attenuate the social support-sleep relationship. CONCLUSION: These findings will provide key information pertaining to the association between social support and sleep in PwMS during COVID-19 where typical supports were limited. Understanding the challenges facing those living with chronic illnesses, specifically PwMS, will help researchers and clinicians alike create interventions to promote social support in the midst of a global pandemic.

Telehealth-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.

Background: Over 50% of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) have moderate or severe sleep disturbances, insomnia being the most common. In-person cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (F2F-CBTi) is currently the first-line treatment for insomnia. However, given potential limitations to access including mobility difficulty, fatigue, or living in a rural area, telehealth-delivered CBT-I (tele-CBTi) has been considered as an alternative treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and treatment effect of tele-CBTi in people with MS and compare it to outcomes from a F2F-CBTi study in individuals with MS. Methods: 11 individuals with MS and symptoms of insomnia participated in 6 weekly CBT-I sessions with a trained CBT-I provider via live video. Insomnia severity (ISI), sleep quality (PSQI), and fatigue severity (FSS and MFIS) were assessed pre- and posttreatment as primary outcomes. Sleep onset latency (SOL), sleep efficiency (SE) and total sleep time (TST) from the PSQI, depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), sleep self-efficacy (SSES), and quality of life (MSIS-29) were also assessed pre- and posttreatment as secondary outcomes. Results: Participants resided in 9 different states. Retention and adherence rates were 100%. There were significant improvements in ISI, PSQI, MFIS, FSS, SOL, SSES, PHQ-9, and MSIS-29, but not SE, TST, or GAD-7. There were no significant differences between the F2F-CBTi group and tele-CBTi group for magnitude of change in the primary outcomes (ISI, PSQI, MFIS, and FSS) or the secondary outcomes (SOL, SE, TST, SSES, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and MSIS-29). Conclusions: Tele-CBTi is feasible and has outcome measures that are similar to that of in-person CBT-I treatment. Tele-CBTi may increase access to insomnia treatment in individuals with MS.

Application accuracy of the sleep decision tree to standardized patient cases by physiotherapists: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists assess lifestyle factors, including sleep health, that contribute to poor health outcomes. Recommendations of sleep screening assessments have been provided; however, physical therapists' ability to successfully identify which patients would benefit from additional consultation has not been established. OBJECTIVE: To determine if physiotherapists can accurately apply an evidence-based sleep decision tree to four hypothetical standardized patient cases. METHODS: Participants applied the sleep decision tree to the four standardized cases via an online platform. Likert scales were used to assess perception of ease of use, likelihood of use, and how helpful they thought the sleep decision tree would be. Descriptive analyses and multiple linear regression models were conducted. RESULTS: Eighty-eight individuals participated in the study. Most participants correctly answered the cases with 1 and 3 decision points (92% and 84%, respectively). In contrast, few participants correctly answered the cases with 4 and 5 decision points (7% and 14%, respectively). Seventy-four (84%) respondents indicated the sleep decision tree was easy to use; 57 (65%) answered they were likely to use the sleep decision tree in clinical practice; and 66 (75%) said the sleep decision tree would be helpful to their clients. CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapists were able to accurately apply a sleep decision tree to simpler patient cases but were frequently unable to apply it to more complex patient cases. This may be due to lack of education, perceived ease of using, and relevance of the sleep decision tree to their clinical practice. The sleep decision tree may aid physiotherapists in assessing sleep health, screening for sleep disturbances, and referring for further assessment.

Feasibility and Treatment Effect of a Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Program in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: At least 40% of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience chronic insomnia. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an effective treatment for insomnia symptoms in individuals with MS. Delivery of CBT-I using Web-based applications has been shown to be effective and may increase access to CBT-I for individuals with MS who have mobility difficulties, experience fatigue, or live in rural areas. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and treatment effect of CBT-I delivered using a Web-based application with or without biweekly telephone calls to improve sleep quality and fatigue in individuals with MS and symptoms of insomnia. METHODS: Forty-one individuals with MS and symptoms of insomnia were randomized into either a group that participated in a 6-week Web-based CBT-I program (wCBT-I) or a group that participated in a 6-week Web-based CBT-I program and received biweekly support telephone calls (wCBT-I + calls). Participants completed surveys online to assess insomnia severity, sleep quality, fatigue, sleep self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, and motivation to change their sleep behavior. RESULTS: The overall retention rate was 48.8%, and the adherence rate was 96.34%. Both groups had significant improvement in insomnia severity, sleep quality, sleep self-efficacy, and anxiety. Only the wCBT-I group had significant improvement in depression and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Web-delivered CBT-I is feasible and effective in improving sleep outcomes and concomitant symptoms in individuals with MS. Web-based CBT-I may increase access to CBT-I treatment and provide a stepped-care approach to treating chronic insomnia in individuals with MS.

Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in People with Type 2 Diabetes, Pilot RCT Part I: Sleep and Concomitant Symptom.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to examine the effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) on the severity of insomnia in people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to a health education (HE) control group. The secondary aim was to explore the effect of CBT-I on other sleep outcomes and concomitant symptoms. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight participants with T2D were randomly assigned to CBT-I (n = 14) or HE (n = 14). METHODS: Validated assessments were used at baseline and post intervention to assess sleep outcomes and concomitant symptoms. In addition, actigraph and sleep diaries were used to measure sleep parameters. Independent sample t tests and Mann-Whitney U tests were utilized to measure between-group differences in the mean change scores. RESULTS: Participants in the CBT-I group showed higher improvements in the following mean change scores compared to the HE group: insomnia symptoms (d = 1.78; p < .001), sleep quality (d = 1.53; p =.001), sleep self-efficacy (d = 1.67; p < .001). Both actigraph and sleep diary showed improvements in sleep latency and sleep efficiency in the CBT-I group as compared to the HE group. In addition, participants in the CBT-I group showed greater improvement in the mean change scores of depression symptoms (d = 1.49; p = .002) and anxiety symptoms (d = 0.88; p = .04) compared to the HE group. CONCLUSION: This study identified a clinically meaningful effect of CBT-I on sleep outcomes and concomitant symptoms in people with T2D and insomnia symptoms. Further work is needed to investigate the long-term effects of CBT-I in people with T2D and insomnia symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia to enhance cognitive function and reduce the rate of Aß deposition in older adults with symptoms of insomnia: A single-site randomized pilot clinical trial protocol.

Lifestyle interventions to increase exercise and improve diet have been the focus of recent clinical trials to potentially prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, despite the strong links between sleep disruptions, cognitive decline, and AD, sleep enhancement has yet to be targeted as a lifestyle intervention to prevent AD. A recent meta-analysis suggests that approximately 15% of AD may be prevented by an efficacious intervention aimed to reduce sleep disturbances and sleep disorders. Chronic insomnia is the most frequent sleep disorder occurring in at least 40% of older adults. Individuals with insomnia are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and demonstrate decline in cognitive function at long-term follow-up. AD is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-ß (Aß) plaques and tau tangles in the brain, and growing evidence shows impaired sleep contributes to the accumulation of Aß. An intervention aimed at improving insomnia may be a critical opportunity for primary prevention to slow cognitive decline and potentially delay the onset of AD. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an efficacious treatment for insomnia, but the use of CBT-I to improve cognitive function and potentially reduce the rate of Aß accumulation has never been examined. Therefore, the objective of the proposed study is to examine the efficacy of CBT-I on improving cognitive function in older adults with symptoms of insomnia. An exploratory aim is to assess the effect of CBT-I on rate of Aß accumulation.

The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, pilot RCT part II: diabetes health outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown the negative impact of sleep disturbances, specifically insomnia symptoms, on glucose metabolism for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). People with insomnia symptoms are at risk of poor glycemic control and suboptimal diabetes self-care behavior (DSCB). Investigating the impact of a safe and effective intervention for individuals with T2D and insomnia symptoms on diabetes' health outcomes is needed. Therefore, the aim of this exploratory study is to examine the effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) on glycemic control, DSCB, and fatigue. METHODS: Twenty-eight participants with T2D and insomnia symptoms, after passing an eligibility criteria at a medical research center, were randomly assigned to CBT-I (n = 14) or Health Education (HE; n = 14). The CBT-I and HE groups received 6 weekly one-hour sessions. This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) used a non-inferiority framework to test the effectiveness of CBT-I. Validated assessments were administered at baseline and post-intervention to assess glycemic control, DSCB, and fatigue. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was utilized to compare within-group changes from baseline to post-intervention. A Mann-Whitney test was utilized to measure the between-group differences. Linear regression was used to assess the association between the blood glucose level and the number of days in the CBT-I group. RESULTS: The recruitment duration was from October 2018 to May 2019. A total of 13 participants completed the interventions in each group and are included in the final analysis. No adverse events, because of being a part of this RCT, were reported. CBT-I participants showed significantly greater improvement in glycemic control, DSCB, and fatigue. There was a significant association between the number of days in the CBT-I intervention with the blood glucose level before bedtime (B = -0.56, p = .009) and after awakening in the morning (B = -0.57, p = .007). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a clinically meaningful effect of CBT-I on glycemic control in people with T2D and insomnia symptoms. Also, CBT-I positively impacted daytime functioning, including DSCB and fatigue. Future research is needed to investigate the long-term effects of CBT-I on laboratory tests of glycemic control and to understand the underlying mechanisms of any improvements. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry ( NCT03713996 ). Retrospectively registered on 22 October 2018.

Sleep Efficiency and Total Sleep Time in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes with and without Insomnia Symptoms.

There is increasing awareness of the high prevalence of insomnia symptoms in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Past studies have established the importance of measuring sleep parameters using measures of central tendency and variability. Additionally, subjective and objective methods involve different constructs due to the discrepancies between the two approaches. Therefore, this study is aimed at comparing the averages of sleep parameters in individuals with T2D with and without insomnia symptoms and comparing the variability of sleep parameters in these individuals. This study assessed the between-group differences in the averages and variability of sleep efficiency (SE) and total sleep time (TST) of 59 participants with T2D with and without insomnia symptoms. Actigraph measurements and sleep diaries were used to assess sleep parameter averages and variabilities calculated by the coefficient of variation across 7 nights. Mann-Whitney U tests were utilized to compare group differences in the outcomes. Validated instruments were used to assess the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain as covariates. Objective SE was found to be statistically lower on average (85.98 ± 4.29) and highly variable (5.88 ± 2.57) for patients with T2D and insomnia symptoms than in those with T2D only (90.23 ± 6.44 and 3.82 ± 2.05, respectively). The subjective average and variability of SE were also worse in patients with T2D and insomnia symptoms, with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain potentially playing a role in this difference. TST did not significantly differ between the groups on averages or in variability even after controlling for age and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain. Future studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of worse averages and variability of SE in individuals with T2D and insomnia symptoms. Additionally, prompting the associated risk factors of insomnia symptoms in individuals with T2D might be warranted.

Gaze stability in young adults with previous concussion history.

BACKGROUND: Disruption of visual-vestibular interaction after concussion can cause gaze instability with head movements. The long-term impact of concussion on gaze stability is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional comparative pilot study examined gaze stability in the chronic stage after concussion (greater than one year). A secondary objective was to examine the relationship between gaze stability and sleep. METHODS: Outcome measures included: 1. Gaze stability in logMAR (mean loss of dynamic visual acuity (DVA) in the yaw and pitch planes); 2. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); 3. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), time since injury, and number of concussions were collected for the people with concussion. RESULTS: The study sample included thirty-four adults (mean age 23.35±1.3 years). Seventeen had a history of 1-9 concussions, with a mean duration of 4.4±1.9 years since last concussion; and 17 were age and sex-matched controls. Mean pitch plane DVA loss was greater in the concussion group compared to the control group (p = 0.04). Participants with previous concussion had lower sleep quality based on the PSQI (p = 0.01) and increased daytime sleepiness based on the ESS (p = 0.01) compared to healthy controls. Mean DVA loss in the pitch plane was significantly correlated with the PSQI (r = 0.43, p = 0.01) and the ESS (r = 0.41, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Significant differences in dynamic visual acuity may be found in young adults long after a concussion, compared with those who have no concussion history. Furthermore, loss of dynamic visual acuity was associated with poorer sleep quality and higher daytime sleepiness.

Feasibility and treatment effect of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: At least 40% of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) exercise chronic insomnia, and the prevalence is likely higher due to underdiagnosis. Poor sleep quality has been associated with increased fatigue, anxiety, depression, and risk of relapse in individuals with MS. While cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended treatment for chronic insomnia, the treatment effect of CBT-I in people with MS is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This pilot randomized control trial (RCT) assessed the feasibility and treatment effect of CBT-I to improve sleep quality and fatigue in individuals with MS with symptoms of insomnia. METHODS: Thirty-three individuals with MS (30 females, 3 males; 30 relapsing-remitting; 3 secondary-progressive; 53.0 ± 9.4 years old) with symptoms of insomnia were randomized into one of three arms: 1. 6-week CBT-I program, 2. 6-week active control, or 3. Single session of sleep education. Participants completed surveys to assess sleep quality, fatigue, sleep self-efficacy, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: CBT-I in individuals with MS is feasible with high retention and adherence rate. All groups experienced a large magnitude of improvement in insomnia symptoms. The CBT-I and brief education groups experienced a large magnitude of improvement in sleep quality and fatigue. Only the CBT-I group demonstrated a large magnitude of improvement in sleep self-efficacy and depression. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to prospectively demonstrates that CBT-I is feasible in people with MS and produces promising improvements in insomnia severity, sleep quality, sleep self-efficacy and comorbid symptoms of fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Future studies are needed to determine mechanisms for these improvements and expand the scope of individuals with MS who may benefit from CBT-I. Furthermore, considering the moderate to large improvements experienced by the brief education group and the limited number of CBT-I providers, a stepped-care approach warrants consideration.

A comparison of diabetes self-care behavior in people with type 2 diabetes with and without insomnia symptoms.

AIMS: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are advised to undertake diabetes self-care behavior (DSCB) in order to avoid complications of T2DM. However, comorbidities, such as insomnia symptoms which are commonly reported in people with T2DM, may limit the ability to engage in DSCB. Insomnia and the common sequelae accompanying insomnia such as pain, depression, and anxiety may negatively influence the performance of DSCB. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the DSCB of people with T2DM with and without insomnia symptoms. METHODS: Sixty participants with T2DM were divided into two groups based on the presence of insomnia symptoms: T2DM-only group and T2DM+ insomnia group. Insomnia symptoms were identified using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). DSCB was assessed using the Diabetic Care Profile (DCP). A standardized composite score was established to account for all of the DCP domains. Chi-square and independent sample t tests were used to assess between-group differences in categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Stepwise linear regression analysis used the ISI score to predict standardized DCP composite score, while controlling for covariates. RESULTS: Significant between-group differences were found in age, symptoms of pain, depression, and anxiety. The total DCP composite score was significantly lower in the T2DM+ insomnia group compared to the T2DM-only group (- 0.30 ± 0.46 vs. 0.36 ± 0.48, respectively, p < 0.001) with large effect size (g = 1.40). Stepwise linear regression results showed that a 1-point increase in ISI score significantly predicted a .03-point decrease in standardized DCP composite score, after controlling for age, symptoms of pain, depression, and anxiety (ß = - 0.03, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that people with T2DM and insomnia symptoms had worse scores on the majority of the DSCB domains and a worse DCP composite score compared to people with T2DM only. The data suggest a negative association between insomnia severity and DSCB among people with T2DM. Further research using a larger sample size and more rigorous research design is required to examine the causal relationship between insomnia symptoms and DSCB.

Poor Sleep Hygiene is Associated with Decreased Discrimination and Inattention on Continuous Performance Task in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students: A Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Reduced sleep quality impairs learning, memory formation, attention, and executive function ability. Poor sleep quality or sleep hygiene has been shown to impair academic performance of undergraduate and medical students. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between sleep quality, sleep hygiene, and cognitive performance in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. METHODS: Fifty DPT students at the University of Kansas Medical Center completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI). Cognitive performance was assessed using the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) which is a test of sustained attention and the Trail-Making Task (TMT) to assess executive functioning. An actigraph was worn for one week to objectively characterize sleep outcomes. Spearman's correlations were performed to assess the association between self-report sleep quality, sleep hygiene, and outcomes on the cognitive tasks. Post-hoc Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted to examine group differences between sleep outcomes and cognitive performance for demographic variable categories. RESULTS: Twenty-three students (46%) reported poor sleep quality, and 27 participants (54%) had objectively-reported poor sleep quality. There was a significant positive correlation between SHI and Detectability (rs= 0.297, p= 0.036) and Omissions (rs=.343, p=0.015). There were group differences between sex and number of pets on the CPT outcomes, and there was a significant group difference between the number of drinks/week categories on the SHI. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: About half of the participants were identified as having poor sleep quality. Poorer sleep hygiene was associated with poorer discrimination and inattention, which could potentially impact the students' academic and clinical performance as well as their health and wellbeing. Also, certain demographic variables may modulate the results.

Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on Insomnia Symptoms for Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia symptoms are a common form of sleep difficulty among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) affecting sleep quality and health outcomes. Several interventional approaches have been used to improve sleep outcomes in people with T2D. Nonpharmacological approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), show promising results regarding safety and sustainability of improvements, although CBT-I has not been examined in people with T2D. Promoting sleep for people with insomnia and T2D could improve insomnia severity and diabetes outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to establish a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effect of 6 sessions of CBT-I on insomnia severity (primary outcome), sleep variability, and other health-related outcomes in individuals with T2D and insomnia symptoms. METHODS: This RCT will use random mixed block size randomization with stratification to assign 28 participants with T2D and insomnia symptoms to either a CBT-I group or a health education group. Outcomes including insomnia severity; sleep variability; diabetes self-care behavior (DSCB); glycemic control (A1c); glucose level; sleep quality; daytime sleepiness; and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain will be gathered before and after the 6-week intervention. Chi-square and independent t tests will be used to test for between-group differences at baseline. Independent t tests will be used to examine the effect of the CBT-I intervention on change score means for insomnia severity, sleep variability, DSCB, A1c, fatigue, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and severity of depression, anxiety, and pain. For all analyses, alpha level will be set at .05. RESULTS: This study recruitment began in February 2019 and was completed in September 2019. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention, including 6 sessions of CBT-I, will provide insight about its effect in improving insomnia symptoms, sleep variability, fatigue, and diabetes-related health outcomes in people with T2D and those with insomnia symptoms when compared with control. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03713996; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03713996. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/14647.