Sleep interventions for adults admitted to psychiatric inpatient settings: a systematic scoping review

Abstract

Sleep disturbances are common, affecting over half of adults with a mental disorder. For those admitted to a psychiatric ward, difficulties with sleep are compounded by factors relating to the inpatient setting. We conducted a scoping review of sleep intervention studies on adults admitted to psychiatric settings. We categorised the different types of sleep interventions and identified the effects on sleep and other health outcomes. Instruments used to measure sleep were also described. The search strategy yielded 2530 studies, of which 20 met the inclusion criteria. There was evidence of more non-pharmacological than pharmacological interventions having been tested in inpatient settings. Results indicated that non-pharmacological interventions based on cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia improve sleep and may improve mental and physical health. Several distinct sleep measures were used in the studies. Objective sleep measures were not commonly used. Gaps in the literature were identified, highlighting the importance of research into a wider range of sleep interventions tested against a control using objective measures of sleep with evaluation of additional mental and physical health outcomes among adults in the psychiatric inpatient settings.