The correlational study of chronic pain and sleep quality among institutionalized dependent elderly in Taiwan

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to understand the codition of chronic pain and sleep quality among the institutionalized elderly in southern Taiwan. Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to understand the related factors of chronic pain and sleep quality on the institutionalized elderly in southern Taiwan. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the conditions and related factors of chronic pain and sleep quality among the severely dependent elderly in Taiwan. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional correlation research design. One hundred severely dependent residents over age 65, living in an institution in Pingtung, were purposively selected and were interviewed based on the structured questionnaires, including Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE), Brief Pain Inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The research samples all had more-than-three-month chronic pain, with a MMSE score >= 25 points and ADL score 20-61 points. Results: The sleep quality of the elderly are poor (m=10.98) and 61% of them are not satisfied with their sleep quality. The level of chronic pain of the elderly is mild to moderate and caused mainly by arthritis and osteoporosis. The subjective sleeping quality, frequency, duration and interference of pain were positively correlated among dependent elderly. Sleep latency, duration and interference of pain were positively correlated. Usage of sleeping pills and pain interference were negatively correlated. Dysfunction during daytime, severity and interference of pain were positively correlated. However, sleeping disturbance and chronic pain were not correlated; cause of pain, nature of pain, site of pain and sleeping quality were not significantly correlated. Conclusion: Health professionals should be aware of elderly's sleep disorders which is a subjective feeling and may affect their interpersonal interaction, emotional management, and functional performance in daily life. The long term care professionals should actively assess the coping strategies of the elderly to sleep disturbance caused by chronic pain and develop appropriate care guidelines for the institutionalized elderly