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Significant improvement in sleep in people with intellectual disabilities living in residential settings by non‐pharmaceutical interventions
Author(s) -
Hylkema T.,
Vlaskamp C.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2009.01177.x
Subject(s) - actigraphy , psychological intervention , bedtime , intellectual disability , sleep (system call) , intervention (counseling) , sleep onset latency , psychology , psychiatry , gerontology , medicine , physical therapy , sleep disorder , insomnia , computer science , operating system
Background Although about 15 to 50 percent of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) living in residential settings suffer from sleep problems, scant attention is paid to these problems. Most available studies focus on pharmaceutical solutions. In this study we focus on improving sleep in people with intellectual disabilities living in residential settings by non‐pharmaceutical interventions. Method The design is a multiple case study using actigraphy. Following a baseline measurement of people with ID, we recommended an intervention such as bedtime scheduling. This was followed by an effect measurement. Results Sleep efficiency, sleep latency and rising latency improved significantly. The time spent in bed also decreased significantly and the hours of sleep while in bed increased significantly. Conclusion For people with ID, sleep can be improved by non‐pharmaceutical interventions. A multidisciplinary approach is helpful in selecting an adequate intervention.