"SLEEP QUALITY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN HOSPITALIZED OLDER ADULT SURVIVORS OF CRITICAL ILLNESS"

The proposed research focuses on older adult ICU survivors who required mechanical ventilation for survival.


The scientific premises are: 1) sleep deficiency may be associated with post-ICU syndrome and cognitive impairment, and 2) sleep may be a modifiable risk factor to prevent post-ICU cognitive impairment. This is the first study to evaluate the longitudinal effect of sleep deficiency on post-ICU cognitive impairment among older adult ICU survivors. Specific Aim 1 is to determine the daytime and nighttime sleep quality (sleep architecture and sleep environment) of older adult ICU survivors who required mechanical ventilation while in ICU. Specific Aim 2 is to determine the effect size of the longitudinal relationship between sleep deficiency and post-ICU cognitive impairment. Data will provide direction on development of nursing interventions (e.g., promoting sleep consolidation, restructuring sleep environment, reestablishing circadian rhythm, decreasing daytime sleepiness) to best target and prevent post-ICU cognitive impairment