Sleep assessment and interventions for patients living with cancer from the patients' and nurses' perspective

Abstract

Background: Difficulty sleeping is a common symptom for patients living with cancer that significantly affects their lives. However, although sleep disorders are common, it is an overlooked problem in cancer care. Purpose: This study assessed the prevalence of sleep disturbances among patients living with cancer, and assessed the adequacy of sleep assessment and intervention for patients from both nurses' and patients' perspectives. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational design was used in this study. A convenience sample of 129 patients with cancer and 113 registered nurses working with cancer patients was recruited. A structured face-to-face interview was used to complete the patients' questionnaires and a self-administered questionnaire was given to nurses. Findings: The majority of patients with cancer reported having poor sleep quality (69.8%). About 86.7% (n=98) of nurses reported that they have never screened patients with cancer for any sleep problems, and 76.7% (n=99) of the patients reported that they have never been assessed for sleep problems by the nursing staff during hospitalisation. Only 8% of patients with cancer who reported having problems sleeping to a nurse received interventions to promote better sleep. Conclusion: Assessment of sleep disturbances in patients with cancer should be unified using a comprehensive reliable valid instrument, as well as providing evidence-based interventions according to patient's need. A written policy should be introduced to encourage sleep documentation and to make sleep care for patients part of routine nursing care.

Promoting sleep in hospitals: An integrative review of nurses' attitudes, knowledge and practices

“…Of the reviewed studies, 9 were quantitative studies (De Almeida Tavares et al, 2015; Eliassen & Hopstock, 2011; Erwin et al, 2019; Gellerstedt et al, 2019a; Hofhuis et al, 2012; Hofhuis et al, 2018; Khater et al, 2019; Radtke et al, 2014; Vincensi, 2016) and 6 were qualitative studies (Gellerstedt et al, 2015; Honkavuo, 2018; Hopper et al, 2015; McIntosh & MacMillan, 2009a; Salzmann‐Erikson et al, 2016; Ye et al, 2013).…”

“…This study used a valid and reliable tool, the Geriatric Nursing Knowledge/Attitudes (GNKA) subscale of the Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile (GIAP), to measure nurses' knowledge and attitudes related to preventing pressure ulcer, using restraint, incontinence care and managing sleep disturbance. Most studies pilot‐tested used instruments to determine validity (Eliassen & Hopstock, 2011; Gellerstedt et al, 2019a; Hofhuis et al, 2012; Hofhuis et al, 2018; Khater et al, 2019;Radtke et al, 2014; Vincensi, 2016). One study described missing data and provided an appropriate rationale (Eliassen & Hopstock, 2011).…”

“…Part of the studies included nurses from surgical units (De Almeida Tavares et al, 2015;Gellerstedt et al, 2015Gellerstedt et al, , 2019aHonkavuo, 2018;Radtke et al, 2014;Salzmann-Erikson et al, 2016;Vincensi, 2016), medical units (De Almeida Tavares et al, 2015;Gellerstedt et al, 2015Gellerstedt et al, , 2019aRadtke et al, 2014;Salzmann-Erikson et al, 2016;Vincensi, 2016) and orthopaedic units (Gellerstedt et al, 2015(Gellerstedt et al, , 2019aSalzmann-Erikson et al, 2016). In addition, one study included nurses from neurology, cardiology, hepatology, respiratory medicine, infection and urology units (Gellerstedt et al, 2015), one study included nurses working in oncology wards (Khater et al, 2019), one study included nurses working in the paediatric unit (Radtke et al, 2014) and another study included nurses working in the Postanesthesia Care Unit (Erwin et al, 2019). Furthermore, in another study, the work unit of the participants was not specified (McIntosh & MacMillan, 2009a).…”

An Update on Prevalence, Assessment, and Risk Factors for Sleep Disturbances in Patients with Advanced Cancer—Implications for Health Care Providers and Clinical Research

“…Thus, it is of utmost importance that oncology nurses have knowledge of sleep assessment to provide good symptom control. However, a study on sleep assessment in patients living with cancer, discovered that few nurses assessed sleep patterns, undertook further assessment and investigations for patient’s sleep problems, or reassessed the patients sleep patterns in case the patient complained of non-efficacy of the interventions [ 84 ].…”

“…Several reasons might explain the lack of sleep assessment among health care providers. Sleep disturbances might be considered a low-priority problem compared to the cancer itself, or because of a lack of sleep assessment protocols or guidelines [ 84 , 85 ]. Interestingly, a literature review on nurses’ perceptions of sleep in the intensive care unit revealed that intensive care unit nurses lack a complete understanding of the importance of sleep [ 86 ].…”