scholarly journals Sleep problems are associated with hypersensitivity to touch in children with autism

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tzischinsky Orna ◽  
Meiri Gal ◽  
Manelis Liora ◽  
Bar-Sinai Asif ◽  
Fluser Hagit ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundSensory abnormalities and sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in children with autism, but the potential relationship between these two domains has rarely been explored. Understanding such relationships is important for identifying children with autism who exhibit more homogeneous symptoms.MethodsHere we examined this relationship using the Caregiver Sensory Profile and the children’s sleep habit questionnaires, which were completed by parents of 69 children with autism and 62 frequency age-matched controls.ResultsIn line with previous studies, children with autism exhibited more severe sensory abnormalities and sleep disturbances than age-matched controls. The sleep disturbance scores were strongly associated with touch and oral sensitivities in the autism group and with touch and vestibular sensitivities in the control group. Hyper sensitivity towards touch, in particular, exhibited the strongest relationship with sleep disturbances in the autism group and single-handedly explained 24% of the variance in sleep disturbance scores. In contrast, sensitivity in other sensory domains such as vision and audition was not associated with sleep quality in either group.ConclusionsWhile it is often assumed that sensitivities in all sensory domains are similarly associated with sleep problems, our results suggest that hyper sensitivity towards touch exhibits the strongest relationship to sleep disturbances when examining children autism. We speculate that hyper sensitivity towards touch interferes with sleep onset and maintenance in a considerable number of children with autism who exhibit severe sleep disturbances. Studies that examine the effects of tactile sensory therapies/aids on sleep quality and behavioral improvement in these children are, therefore, highly warranted.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-93
Author(s):  
Ann-Kristin Manhart ◽  
◽  
Angelika A. Schlarb ◽  

Background: Sleep difficulties play an important role in the maintenance and course of chronic abdominal pain disorders (RAP and IBD). Particularly among adolescents with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) or recurrent abdominal pain (RAP), adequate sleep seems to be important, as the diseases self and the associated symptoms can cause distress and impair daytime functioning. Hence it seems adequate to take a closer look concerning the sleep difficulties within the different conditions of abdominal pain especially in comparison to a healthy control. To our knowledge no former study compared sleep problems in youths with RAP and IBD as well as healthy controls. Thus the aim of the present study was to 1) evaluate sleep problems in the RAP and IBD and 2) compare the sleep problems of these abdominal pain diseases with a healthy control group. Methods: 129 adolescents (14-25 years) took part in the online survey, with 58 suffering from IBD, 23 had RAP and 48 healthy controls. Adolescents completed sleep questionnaires as PSQI, SDSC or NEQ. Data was analysed by conducting MANOVAs to test differences between the three groups followed by a post-hoc analyses. Results: Significant differences between both patient groups and healthy controls regarding sleep quality as well as sleep disturbances were found. Results indicate that especially young IBD patients suffered more often from poor sleep quality, sleep disturbances as well as daily effects of nightmares than the control group. The comparison of adolescents with RAP and healthy controls showed elevated scores concerning sleep disturbances for RAP patients. However, IBD and RAP adolescents did not differ significantly concerning most sleep measurements. Discussion: The study at hand was the first to compare adolescents with IBD and RAP regarding sleep difficulties. Adolescents with IBD and RAP have an impaired sleep quality as well as a higher rate of sleep disturbances and suffer from daily effects of nightmares than the control group. Therefore sleep disturbances should be also addressed when treating IBD and RAP patients to prevent further impairments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio C. Walz ◽  
Pedro V. Magalhães ◽  
Ramiro Reckziegel ◽  
Monise Costanzi ◽  
Larriany Giglio ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo verify the prevalence and clinical impact of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in outpatients with bipolar disorder.MethodsEighty‐one outpatients with bipolar disorder and 79 healthy control subjects were recruited. Patients were required not to be acutely manic or depressed. We used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Functioning Assessment Short Test to assess sleepiness, sleep problems and functioning, respectively.ResultsPatients had a higher prevalence of sleepiness (40%) than the control group (18%). Sleepiness and sleep disturbance had independent impacts on disability in the multivariable model.ConclusionsThis study suggests that EDS is a relevant clinical dimension in patients with bipolar disorder. It is a frequent symptom that often overlaps with other sleep disturbances. This study also reveals that once present it has the potential to increase functional impairment.


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu-Bakar Zafar ◽  
Jayne Ness ◽  
Sarah Dowdy ◽  
Kristin Avis ◽  
Khurram Bashir

Background: About 2–5% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience their first symptoms before age 18. Sleep disorders occur frequently in MS. The prevalence of sleep problems and their impact on fatigue and daytime sleepiness in pediatric MS is unknown. Objective: To determine whether pediatric MS patients have more sleep disturbances, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness compared with an age-, sex-, and race-matched control group. Methods: Patients and age-, sex-, and race-matched controls were surveyed to quantify daytime sleepiness via the modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale, sleep quality and hygiene through the Adolescent Sleep Wake and Hygiene Scale, respectively, and fatigue using the PediatricQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Results: Pediatric MS patients ( n = 30) and age-, sex-, and race-matched controls ( n = 52) had similar levels of fatigue; however, when compared with previously published historical controls, both groups reported worse fatigue across all dimensions ( p < 0.05). Pediatric MS patients also had similar sleep quality compared with the matched controls, but reported better sleep hygiene on the ‘sleep stability’ dimension ( p < 0.05). In addition, pediatric MS patients had less daytime sleepiness than the matched controls ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although patients with MS reported similar levels of fatigue, they have better sleep hygiene, which could possibly account for the decreased amount of excessive daytime sleepiness. Also, when compared with historical controls, the MS and control samples reported more fatigue. Thus, caution must be taken when using published control data, especially when not properly matched.


SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A352-A352
Author(s):  
P Varma ◽  
M L Jackson ◽  
M Junge ◽  
R Conduit

Abstract Introduction Sleep problems, such as insomnia are frequently reported in children. These sleep disturbances have either a behavioral (e.g. difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep) or clinical etiology (e.g. autism, asthma and T1 diabetes). Unlike clinical populations, outcomes in parents of children with behavioral sleep problems are underexamined. This study aimed to examine sleep in parents and children with behavioral or clinical sleep disturbances. Methods 290 parents (parents Mage = 35.9±5.2y, children Mage = 4.1± 2.3y) were recruited. Child’s sleep was reported using Child’s sleep habits questionnaire (CSHQ). Parent sleep was assessed using Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Pre-sleep arousal scale (PSAS), and Glasgow sleep effort scale (GSES). A demographic question on the nature of child’s sleep disturbance was used to categorize parents into a) behavioral (n=206) or b) clinical group (n=84). Results Overall, 71% of parents and 67% of children had clinically significant sleep disturbance (PSQI ≥ 5 and CSHQ ≥ 41 respectively). Significant associations were observed between CSHQ and a) PSQI (r=0.47, p&lt;.001), b) GSES (r=0.21, p&lt;.001), and c) PSAS (r=0.46, p&lt;.001). Step-wise regression reported that CSHQ was the strongest predictor of PSQI, accounting for 22% variance in scores (p&lt;.001), followed by PSAS (7%). Independent groups t-tests found no differences in parents’ sleep quality (p=.06) and pre-sleep arousal (p=.38) between clinical and behavioral groups. However, 47% of parents in the clinical group took longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep, as opposed to 30% of parents in behavioral group (t(289)=-2.39, p=.01). Conclusion Parents report having poor sleep irrespective of the nature of child’s sleep difficulties. It is possible that parents in the clinical group may underreport their sleep problems due to increased attention towards child’s symptoms and diagnosis. Nevertheless, if any sleep related issues occur in children, the impact on parental sleep should be considered during assessment. Support N/A


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1230.1-1231
Author(s):  
D. Fouad ◽  
S. Rashad ◽  
M. Ghaly ◽  
M. Hassanien

Background:Rheumatoid spondylitis is a feature of long-lasting Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that is presented by neck pain, headache and sleep disturbance. Atlantoaxial joint (AAJ) is the commonest cervical spine joint that affected in patients with RA. When it is involved, it can be associated with dangerous complications. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be used for assessing the disease activity, the amount of cartilage destruction, associated cervical myelopathy and differentiating synovial fluid from inflammatory pannus (Taniguchi D, et al., 2008).Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular steroid injection of inflamed AAJ in RA patients, regarding neck pain, headache and sleep quality using pre and post-interventions MRI.Methods:A prospective case control study. Patients with inflamed AAJ were recruited. Group 1 (AAJ group, n = 30), received intraarticular AAJ steroid injection, guided by fluoroscopy and Group 2 (control group, n = 30), received systemic steroids. Both groups were assessed with: Visual Analogue scale (VAS) for nocturnal neck pain and headache. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used for sleep disturbance. Pre and post contrasts enhanced MRI interventions were done for both groups during the period of follow up (three months).Results:Nocturnal neck pain, headache and sleep disturbance have significantly decreased, during follow up visits (3 months), in AAJ group in comparison to the control group. The Pre-intervention nocturnal pain score was 60.3 ±17.1 in AAJ group & 58.5 ±17.9 in control group. Pain has significantly decreased after 2weeks in AAJ group with continuous improvement till 3 months’ post-intervention 6.9 ±4.65 & 51.26 ±10.54 respectively. The pre-intervention headache was 22.68 ±16.74 in AAJ group & 45.17 ±15.83 in control group decreased to 7.54 ±5.23 & 48.52 ±11.98 respectively post intervention. The percentage of patients who had sleep disturbance at baseline was 66.7% & 73.3% in AAJ and control groups respectively which has significantly decreased to 6.7% & 43.3% after 3 months. Regarding MRI, AAJ group hada statistical significant decreasein the percentage of patients with MRI synovial enhancement, inflammatorypannus,fibrosis and bone marrow edema in comparison to control group 3 months post intervention. All post-procedural side effects resolved within thmonth without further medical intervention, and no long-term sequelae were identifiedConclusion:Fluoroscopic guided intra-articular steroid injection of inflamed atlantoaxial joints is considered a beneficial therapeutic option in rheumatoid arthritis patients regarding clinical and radiological assessments.References:[1]Taniguchi D, Tokunaga D, Hase H, et al. Evaluation of lateral instability of AAJ in RA using dynamic open-mouth view radiographs. Clin Rheumatol.2008 Jul. 27(7):851-7.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Bei-Yun Zhou ◽  
Chen-Lu Lian ◽  
Ping Zhou ◽  
Hui-Juan Lin ◽  
...  

Background: The factors associated with sleep disturbances in cancer patients remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of sleep disorders and predictors associated with sleep disturbance in cancer patients from a radiotherapy department.Methods: Patients with cancers were recruited before the start of radiotherapy from our institution between January 2019 and February 2020. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale was used to assess sleep quality. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to conduct statistical analysis.Results: A total of 330 eligible patients were included. Of them, 38.3% (n = 127) had the globe PSQI score &gt;7, indicating that they suffered from sleep disorders. Patients with lung cancer (45.2%) were more likely to suffer from sleep disturbance, followed by cervical cancer (43.8%), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (41.7%), esophageal cancer (41.5%), breast cancer (37.7%), and colorectal cancer (30%). With regard to the PSQI components, the mean sleep duration was 8 h, 20.3% (n = 67) of them reported poor subjective sleep quality, 6.1% (n = 20) needed medication to improve sleep, and 53.6% (n = 177) suffered daytime dysfunction. Multivariate logistic regression models showed body mass index (BMI) ≥ 20 kg/m2 [odds ratio (OR) 0.599, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.329–0.948, P = 0.031] and the receipt of surgery (OR 0.507, 95% CI 0.258–0.996, P = 0.048) were the significant favorable predictors for sleep disturbance, while age, gender, marital status, education level, comorbidity, metastasis status, diagnostic status, and cancer type were not significantly associated with sleep disturbance.Conclusions: Approximately 40% of the cancer patients suffer from sleep disturbance before the start of radiotherapy. Patients with BMI ≥ 20 kg/m2 and receiving surgery are less likely to develop sleep disturbance in comparison with others.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
EunJu Song

Many patients with alcohol use disorder experienced insomnia or sleep disturbances. However, their sleep problems rarely addressed in the treatment process. It may prove beneficial if treatment programs should intend to help prevent the recurrence of alcohol use disorder by solving patients&rsquo; sleep-induced problems and accordingly include appropriate sleep interventions. The present study employed a descriptive design and conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the relationship among sleep quality, score on the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES), abstinence self-efficacy, and quality of life in inpatients with alcohol use disorders. Data were collected from June to August 2018, from 117 patients admitted to the psychiatric ward for alcohol-use patients in two mental hospitals in South Korea. Sleep quality was significantly correlated with the SOCRATES score (r = .247, p = .007) and quality of life (r = -.346, p = .001). However, it showed no relationship with abstinence self-efficacy (r = -.066, p = .477). These findings suggest that abstinence programs need to employ a comprehensive approach instead of primarily focusing on maintaining abstinence and cessation of alcohol use. However, both sleep disturbances and alcohol abstinence require patience and prolonged treatment. Thus, it is a challenge to design concrete interventions to address the sleep problems experienced by patients with alcohol use disorder.


Author(s):  
Halil ONDER ◽  
Ersin Kasim ULUSOY ◽  
Caner BAYDAR ◽  
Mustafa KIRAZ ◽  
Muhammet Okay ORUN ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background: Psychiatric problems and sleep disturbances are comorbidities that are frequently encountered among people with epilepsy. However, their presence among the spouses of peoples with epilepsy remains to be elucidated. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the spouses of people with epilepsy (PWE), with and without a history of seizures during sleep, in terms of depression, anxiety and sleep quality. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in three groups of 18 to 65-year-olds. Group 1 consisted of healthy spouses of 127 healthy volunteers without any known neurological disease; group 2 comprised spouses of 63 PWE who had no history of seizure during sleep; and group 3 consisted of spouses of 63 PWE who had a history of at least one seizure during sleep in the course of the previous year. Questionnaires seeking demographic data and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were applied to all participants. Results: The depression scores of the group of spouses of PWE were higher than those of the control group and were higher in group 3 than in group 2 (p = 0.017). The anxiety scores of the group of spouses of PWE were significantly higher than those of the control group, but no difference in anxiety scores was found between group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.170). The mean PSQI score of group 3 was higher than that of group 2 (p = 0.029). However, regression analyses did not show any difference between these groups. Conclusion: We found that the PSQI scores, which reflected sleep quality, were higher among the spouses of PWE who had seizures during sleep and who had more severe epilepsy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 48

Sleep is defined as an easily reversible periodic state marked by the absence of wakefulness. Studies have shown that university students tend to have a diminished amount of sleep. This would lead to the loss of concentration, daytime sleepiness, and reduced academic performances. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga on overall sleep quality, depression, anxiety, stress, and blood glucose levels. A total of 88 participants with 44 students in each group, control and experimental, were recruited from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman based on the outcome of the Godin Shephard questionnaire. A total score of less than 14 was considered mild hence falling into the control group while above 14 and had practiced yoga for a minimum of 6 weeks were placed in the experimental group. The participants were required to self-administer a set of questionnaires consisting of socio-demographic information, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scores. Three components of sleep, namely the habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunctions, were better in the experimental group compared to the control one. Depression, anxiety, stress, and blood glucose levels also appeared to be more desirable in the experimental group with yoga students. It was found that blood glucose levels were positively correlated to the Global PSQI score, depression, anxiety, and stress measures in this study. In conclusion, yoga-practicing students have healthier sleep patterns, negative emotional states, and blood glucose levels. In order to obtain more conclusive findings, similar studies should be carried out in different universities with larger sample size and for longer periods.


Author(s):  
Serena Malloggi ◽  
Francesca Conte ◽  
Giorgio Gronchi ◽  
Gianluca Ficca ◽  
Fiorenza Giganti

Although sleep problems at young ages are well investigated, the prevalence of bad sleepers and the determinants of sleep quality perception remain unexplored in these populations. For this purpose, we addressed these issues in a sample of children (n = 307), preadolescents (n = 717), and adolescents (n = 406) who completed the School Sleep Habits Survey, addressing sleep quality perception, sleep habits, sleep features, daytime behavior and sleep disturbances, circadian preference, and dreaming. The sample was split in “good sleepers” and “bad sleepers”, based on the answer to the question item assessing overall subjective sleep quality. Being a bad sleeper was reported by 11.7% of the sample, with significant between-groups differences (children: 8.3%; preadolescents: 11.3%; adolescents: 15.3%; p = 0.01). At all ages, relative to good sleepers, bad sleepers showed higher eveningness, sleepiness, and depression, longer sleep latency, more frequent insufficient sleep, nocturnal awakenings, sleep–wake behavioral problems, and unpleasant dreams (all p’s ≤ 0.01). Sleep quality perception was predicted: in children, by depressed mood, eveningness, and unpleasant dreams (all p’s ≤ 0.01); in preadolescents, by sleep latency, awakening frequency, depressed mood, sufficiency of sleep, and unpleasant dreams (all p’s < 0.01); in adolescents, by awakening frequency, depressed mood, and sufficiency of sleep (all p’s < 0.001). In children, bad subjective sleep quality appears to be mainly determined by daytime psychological features, for example, depressed mood, whereas at later ages, sleep characteristics, such as frequent awakenings, add to the former determinants. This could depend on (a) the appearance, with increasing age, of objective sleep modifications and (b) a greater attention paid by adolescents to their sleep characteristics.


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