Evaluation and Treatment of Sleep Complaints: Patients’ Subjective Responses

Abstract

Background: This study set out to evaluate whether patients’ expectations affected their responses to treatment of a sleep disorder. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients attending a sleep clinic for the first time and who had different diagnoses of sleep disorders were included in this study. The patients completed a set of 6 questionnaires on 7 occasions as they progressed through the process of a sleep clinic referral, assessment and treatment. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess their sleepiness, fatigue and alertness. Predictor measures included mental health and individual items assessing expectation regarding the seriousness of the sleep problem. A battery of questions dealt with mental health issues, patients’ expectation and their commitment to the sleep investigation and treatment process. Each patient’s responses were examined over a period of 6 months. Results: Immediately following their interview with the sleep consultant, the patients’ concern regarding their sleep problem was higher than the first measures obtained at baseline. Compared to prior to their first consultation with a sleep specialist, while on treatment they directed more attention to their sleep problem when problems associated with fatigue were reduced. Although there was a lessening in fatigue with treatment, subjectively rated sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) did not vary over the study. Contact with a sleep center and the diagnosis and treatment of individual sleep problems also resulted in improved satisfaction with life. Conclusions: Contact with and treatment at a sleep clinic was found to be beneficial. The fatigue levels were reduced and the patients had greater life satisfaction regardless of the diagnosis and treatment of their sleep disorder, although subjective sleepiness did not change. Patient expectations were not critical in determining the outcome of the sleep clinic assessment.

Reliability and Validity of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire

“…Given the need to develop new approaches to the treatment of residual and subclinical symptoms [34,35,36,37,38,39] and that cognitive deficits are present even in patients who have responded to antidepressant treatments [8], the ability to use a short, pertinent self-rating scale sensitive to change may facilitate the efficacy assessment of new interventions which specifically target these symptoms. Further studies will be needed to assess the validity and reliability of the CPFQ in other psychiatric and neuropsychiatric conditions associated with cognitive dysfunction.…”

Sleep and Health Consequences of Shift Work in Women

“…Sleepiness, fatigue, and sleep deprivation negatively affect functioning, resulting in decreased productivity, 17,18 increased errors and workplace accidents, 19,20 traffic collisions, 21,22 and deterioration of relationships, 23 and may trigger a general decline in health and well-being. 24,25 Fatigue, often reported by shift workers, is significantly ( p ¼ 0.01) correlated with poorer sleep quality, 26 and based on a large epidemiological study, females are twice as likely to report workplace fatigue (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.9-2.8). 9 The impact of shift schedule on sleep also deserves consideration.…”

A new approach to the construct of alertness

“…Initial testing in a group of 50 patients repeatedly assessed (on six occasions) with these two scales over a 6-month period showed that they were easy to use, required little instruction, and showed variation in scores across individuals, time, and treatment circumstances [27].…”