[The relationship between physical activity and sleep status among older adults requiring nursing care in the...

We investigated the relationship between physical activity and sleep status among older adults requiring nursing care in the community.

We included 45 participants ≥65 years old (33 females; mean age, 83.2±4.4 years old) requiring nursing care. Physical activity was evaluated using the Life Space Assessment (LSA), and sleep status was measured by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to determine the total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and PSQI total score. The physical function was measured by the timed up and go test (TUG) and grip strength. We performed a multiple regression analysis with the LSA as the dependent variable and sleep indicators (total sleep time, sleep efficiency, PSQI total score) and TUG as independent variables (demonstrating significant correlations with the LSA), and gender and age as adjusted variables. The analysis was divided into sleep time (Model 1), sleep efficiency (Model 2), and PSQI total score (Model 3). We used R commander, and < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

TUG (β=-0.375) and sleep time (β=0.383) in Model 1, TUG (β=-0.368) and sleep efficiency (β=0.570) in Model 2, and TUG (β=-0.392) and PSQI total score (β=-0.590) in Model 3 were independently selected as significant variables.

In addition to TUG, sleep status, such as the sleep duration and sleep quality, was shown to be related to physical activity in older adults who require nursing care. To improve physical activity, it is necessary to consider not only the physical function but also quantitative and qualitative assessments of sleep.