Sleep Enhancement for Older Adults Living With Memory Loss and Their Care Partners

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a 6-week videoconference program using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia CBTi to see if it is practical, acceptable, and helpful for older adults living with memory loss, cognitive impairment, or dementia and their care partners. The study aims to address sleep disturbances that affect both the persons living with dementia and their caregivers, as poor sleep contributes to health issues and reduced quality of life. This research focuses on delivering the therapy to both members of the dyad together, which has not been studied before. Participants will take part in weekly CBTi sessions via videoconference for six weeks. The therapy includes strategies such as stimulus control, sleep compression, relaxation techniques, sleep hygiene, and cognitive restructuring. The intervention targets both the person with cognitive impairment and their caregiver as a unit, with the goal of improving sleep for both. Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted to assess how acceptable and satisfying participants find the intervention. During the study, researchers will monitor changes in insomnia symptoms, sleep efficiency, time to fall asleep, and wakefulness after sleep onset at baseline, one week after the intervention, and three months later. They will also evaluate adherence to the program weekly during the intervention and up to three months after. Secondary measures include changes in depression and quality of life. Participants will be assessed through interviews and questionnaires to understand the interventions impact and acceptability.

Sleep Enhancement for Older Adults Living With Memory Loss And Their Care Partners