RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Sleep Quality in Assisted-Living Residents

This study, called "Sleep Quality in Assisted-Living Residents," is investigating sleep problems common in older people living in assisted care facilities. Researchers know that poor sleep can affect memory and thinking skills. This study wants to understand the link between how well older adults sleep, how active they are, and their thinking abilities. By identifying the causes of sleep problems, the researchers hope to find new ways to help residents sleep better and reduce or delay issues with memory and thinking. They will use special equipment to measure sleep, walking tests for physical ability, and memory tasks. The findings could lead to better care and improved quality of life for people in assisted living.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Calgary

Enrolment target

150

Start

01 Jan 2023

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Sleep Disturbance Aging

What is this study about?

This study is called "Sleep Quality in Assisted-Living Residents" and it's all about understanding sleep in older people who live in assisted care homes. We know that as people get older, particularly those in assisted living, they can have trouble sleeping. When sleep isn't good, it can sometimes affect memory and how well people think. This research aims to explore these connections: how sleep quality, physical activity, and thinking skills are related.

The main idea is that if we can understand *why* some residents have poor sleep, we can begin to find better ways to help them. Moving more has been suggested as a way to improve sleep in older adults, but we don't fully understand if better sleep then helps with thinking skills for those in assisted living. This study will be the first to really look at sleep in a detailed way in this group, using special equipment that gives very accurate information.

The information gathered from this study is really important. It will help doctors and caregivers understand the best ways to support assisted living residents, especially when it comes to their sleep, their daily activities, and keeping their minds sharp. The goal is to develop new and better strategies to improve their overall health and make sure they have a good quality of life.

Key takeaways

The study explores sleep, activity, and thinking skills in assisted living.
It aims to find new ways to improve sleep and brain health.
Special equipment will be used to accurately measure sleep patterns.
Your participation helps to improve care for older adults in the future.
No new medications are involved in this research.
You can stop participating at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, participants need to be aged 50 or older. They should generally be inactive, meaning they exercise vigorously less than three times a week for 20 minutes or more. Also, they must be able to move around on their own without needing a wheelchair.

There are also some reasons why someone couldn't join. For example, if they have certain serious health conditions like a developmental disability or a terminal illness where they are not expected to live more than a year. People who cannot understand conversations or make decisions, or those who aren't fluent in English, also cannot take part.

If someone is already involved in another research study, or if they have a medical condition that would make the tests difficult or affect the results, they wouldn't be able to join. The study team will carefully check everyone to make sure it's safe and appropriate for them to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 50 years old or older?
Do you move around on your own without a wheelchair?
Do you typically exercise vigorously less than 3 times a week (20 mins or more each time)?
Are you able to speak and understand English?
Do you feel you can understand and make decisions about your involvement?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will go through several assessments. This includes wearing special devices, like those that measure your sleep overnight (polysomnography) and activity levels throughout the day (actigraphy) – similar to a fitness tracker. You will also answer questions about your sleep habits. In addition, you'll be asked to do some simple walking tasks to check your physical ability and complete some memory tasks to assess your cognitive performance. You won't be given any new medication as part of this study. The exact total duration of your involvement will be explained by the study team, but it will involve multiple assessments to gather all the necessary information.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer the benefit of a detailed assessment of your sleep and cognitive health, which could provide valuable insights for future care strategies. You might not directly benefit from being in the study, but your contribution will help improve understanding and care for others in assisted living. The main risks are likely minimal, such as minor discomfort from wearing monitoring devices or the time commitment for assessments. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual care.

Locations (1)

University of Calgary
Verified postcode
Calgary, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'assisted living'?

Assisted living is a type of housing that provides care and support for older adults who need some help with daily tasks, but still want to live as independently as possible.

What is 'sleep disturbance'?

Sleep disturbance means having trouble sleeping, which could be difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or not getting good quality sleep, leading to feeling tired during the day.

What does 'cognitive performance' mean?

Cognitive performance refers to how well your brain works for things like memory, thinking, problem-solving, and paying attention.

Will I have to take any new medicine?

No, this study does not involve giving you any new medicines. It focuses on observing and measuring your sleep, activity, and thinking skills.

What happens to the information they collect?

The information collected will be used to understand sleep better in assisted living residents. The findings will be shared with the scientific community to help develop better ways to improve care and quality of life for older adults.

How to find out more

Marc J Poulin, PhD

poulin@ucalgary.ca 403.220.8372 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.