Sleep Hygiene
Sleep Hygiene - Occupational Therapy
What is sleep hygiene?
The term means healthy sleep habits and/or behaviors that you can practice that should help to improve the ability to fall asleep and remain asleep throughout the night. The process includes establishing and practicing good sleep hygiene during the day, which in turn impacts both the quality and quantity of sleep one gets throughout the night.
Sleep is complex and has ecological, physiological, psychological and sensory aspects. Possible causes of sleep problems in children are daily routines, afternoon naps and sleeping environments, but also physical, cognitive, sensory and emotional disturbances that impair sleep. [Sources: 7]
Gutman sleep study adds to a growing body of research supporting sleep interventions in occupational therapy. The link between poor sleep and the daily functioning is clear (Kessl, 2011), and since occupational therapists help patients in their daily lives and activities with disabilities, it is critical that we expand our practice area to address patients' Sleep problems. [Sources: 4]
Occupational therapists have identified sleep for many of their clients as a significant and persistent occupational problem, but admit that it is often overlooked. Further research into changes in the sleep environment, internal regulation of sleep hygiene behaviour and daily activity levels is needed to support the role of occupations in this field of practice. [Sources: 4, 8]
There are many evidence-based sleep interventions that fit within the scope of these practices, such as behavioral strategies and OT models and practices that can be applied to sleep problems. Given that sleep is not a new issue, and that organizations have had sleep and OT on their radar for decades, not much has changed from a practical point of view, and sleep practice is unlikely to improve beyond that. A basic understanding of sleep science and OT can help people sleep better. [Sources: 5]
Occupational therapists have identified a number of possible strategies for managing sleep needs. Sufficient quantity and quality of sleep are necessary prerequisites for optimal professional performance and participation in everyday life. Occupational therapy theory of sleep conceptualizes recreational occupations with the goal of rest and recreation, and good sleep and recreation support the emergence of occupations that combine self-sufficiency, work and leisure [13-15]. [Sources: 0, 8]. It is likely that occupational therapists with expert knowledge of how to improve sleep are not even thought of when people initially think of providers whom can work with patients with sleep issues. [Sources: 5, 8]
When treating sleep problems in children, one might not think of prescribing occupational therapy, but sleep and rest is one of the many areas of expertise that occupational therapists can treat. Occupational therapists use their knowledge of sleep physiology, sleep disorders and sleep promotion practices to assess and treat complications such as sleep deprivation, sleep disorders and daily activities. When evaluating a client, occupational therapists assess issues such as sleep preparation and participation, latency, duration and maintenance of daytime sleepiness. [Sources: 7]
Occupational therapists use their knowledge of sleep disorders, sleep physiology and evidence-based sleep practices to help parents solve their sleep problems. We study the effects of sleep deprivation on children, families and other caregivers. In Cleveland, for example, Therapy Wellness Connections occupational therapists work with many parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. [Sources: 9]
Further development of sleep management from an occupational therapy perspective would strengthen the role of sleep in clinical practice, education and research. Occupational therapists can address the needs of people with insomnia by developing sleep management programs that use environmental interventions, tools and devices, activity use, CBTI, and lifestyle interventions. Based on the Peop Framework, occupational sleep interventions aim to minimize the influence of bodily functions on sleep, promote sleep-promoting environments, restructure daily activities, and focus on occupational balance. [Sources: 0]
Research Article
A study by Ho & Siu “Occupational Therapy Practice in Sleep Management: A Review of Conceptual Models and Research Evidence” examined sleep quality as the primary outcome in a sleep-specific intervention program for MS, with fatigue and quality of life as secondary outcomes. Occupational therapy programs and sleep goal interventions exist for patients with MS. The first objective of the study design for the MS intervention was to investigate the efficacy of the intervention and compare it with conventional occupational therapy interventions, with sleep quality as the primary outcome. The second goal was to follow the current literature, and researchers assumed that improvements in sleep quality through our intervention would reduce the negative effects of fatigue on patients with the disease. The third goal followed the previous literature,, which led to the researchers hypothesis that the quality of life of these patients was increased by developing a sleep goal intervention program. [Sources: 1]
The article notes that healthcare providers perceive patients' verbalizations/statements of sleep quality as unreliable. To assess this, the study suggests that adaptive approaches by staff should be considered to improve patients "sleep experience. The authors suggest the use of standardized sleep assessments such as the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire in which patients use self-reported sleep measures such as sleep depth, quality, wake-up latency and when they return to sleep. The use of occupational therapy services has shown improvements in the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire.
The study results were shared with the occupational therapist in order to create a therapeutic plan for the treatment of the sleep problem. Information was also provided to the doctor to assist with treatment recommendations, including a possible referral to occupational therapy. Conversation with an occupational therapist can provide additional insights into the functional status and sleep problems of patients.
Anchor Therapy Solutions PLLC provides expert sleep evaluations and occupational therapy interventions for people ages 18 and older. Contact us today to learn more!
Sources:
[0]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6087566/
[1]: https://www.dovepress.com/the-effectiveness-of-occupational-therapy-based-sleep-interventions-on-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NDT
[2]: https://www.aastweb.org/blog/why-occupational-therapy-and-sleep-therapy-work-well-together
[3]: https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/addressing-sleep-difficulties-through-the-unique-role-of-occupational-therapy/
[4]: https://integratedlistening.com/research/gutman-otsleep-columbia/
[5]: https://otpotential.com/blog/occupational-therapy-and-sleep
[6]: https://sleepot.org/
[7]: https://pathways.org/how-occupational-therapy-can-treat-children-with-sleep-problems/
[8]: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0308022614564771
[9]: https://therapyandwellnessconnection.com/insights/how-occupational-therapy-can-help-treat-children-with-sleep-problems/
[10]: https://www.rehabalternatives.com/2017/11/08/addressing-sleep-rest-within-occupational-therapy/