Greater night-to-night variability in sleep discrepancy among older adults with a sleep complaint compared to noncomplaining older adults

Behav Sleep Med. 2013 Apr;11(2):76-90. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2011.602775. Epub 2012 Nov 8.

Abstract

Research in younger adults suggests sleep discrepancy (objective/subjective measurement difference) is a consistent pattern that primarily occurs within individuals with insomnia. To examine whether older adults exhibit a similar pattern, this study compared night-to-night inconsistency in sleep discrepancy between older adults with and without sleep complaints. Older adults (N = 103; mean age = 72.81, SD = 7.12) wore an Actiwatch-L® (24 hr per day) and concurrently completed sleep diaries for 14 days. Sleep discrepancy = diary (sleep onset latency [SOL] or wake [time] after sleep onset [WASO]) - actigraphy (SOL or WASO). Both groups exhibited sleep discrepancy, but complainers exhibited significantly more night-to-night variability. Sleep discrepancy was a variable behavior that was not limited to insomnia, but instead manifested by degree throughout our older sample. Greater attention to variability in sleep research and clinical practice is warranted.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Female
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / psychology
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires