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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
Published on: January 26, 2019
Assessing sleep architecture in dementia caregivers at home using an ambulatory polysomnographic system
Irina Fonareva1, Alexandra M Amen, Daniel P Zajdel
1Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Abstract:
Findings from previous research assessing sleep quality in caregivers are inconsistent due to differences in sleep assessment methods. This study evaluated sleep in dementia caregivers using a comprehensive sleep assessment utilizing an ambulatory polysomnography (PSG) device. A total of 20 caregivers and 20 noncaregivers rated their perceived sleep quality, stress, and depressive symptoms; provided samples of cortisol and inflammatory biomarkers; and completed an objective sleep assessment using a portable PSG device. Caregivers reported greater perceived stress than noncaregivers. Next, the groups had different sleep architecture: caregivers spent less proportion of their sleep in restorative sleep stages compared to noncaregivers. Further, levels of C-reactive protein and awakening salivary cortisol were greater in caregivers than in noncaregivers, and these measures were related to sleep quality. Our findings indicate that sleep disruption is a significant concomitant of caregiving and may affect caregiver's health. Sleep quality of caregivers might be a useful target for a clinical intervention.
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