Creation and analysis of a computerized database of interventions to facilitate adult sleep

Although sleep problems are a frequent complaint of ill and older adults, there is no ready source of continually updated scientific knowledge about sleep promotion interventions used by nurses.

To create a database of sleep promotion research and to describe the nature and strength of studies about nursing interventions used to promote sleep in adults.

Computer, hand, ancestry, and author searches were used to identify nursing and related-discipline studies of sleep promotion in adults. An experimental software program, arcs, was used to store, retrieve, examine, and summarize sleep research findings.

Twelve interventions within the basic scope of nursing practice were identified. All were nonpharmacologic. Interventions were grouped according to their presumed mechanism of action: 1) to relax the sleeper, 2) to manage noise, 3) to re-pattern the sleep-wake schedule, or 4) to inform the sleeper about sleep hygiene.

The research base underpinning sleep promotion practices in nursing is sparse. The use of relaxation approaches to promote sleep in those with chronic insomnia has the most support. Extensive research involving other interventions and populations is needed. As more studies become available, they can be added to the computer database, thus facilitating dissemination of scientific knowledge to guide nursing practice.