According to a research abstract that will be presented on Wednesday, June 10, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) negatively affect women’s sleep. Sleep is further impaired by pain, depression and poor adherence to RA medications.

Results indicate that length of time since RA diagnosis, RA disease activity, level of pain, depression symptoms and adherence to medications for RA may cause women suffering from the disease to have poor sleep quality.

According to lead author Faith Luyster, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh, Pa., findings emphasize the need for further research concerning poor RA medication adherence and sleep quality.

“Treating depression in women with RA may not only improve sleep but may also improve pain and adherence to medications,” said Luyster.

The study involved 133 women with RA; their average age was 56 years, and they were primarily Caucasian, married, had at least a high school education, were not depressed and had RA for 14.76 years. A majority of participants (71 percent) reported poor sleep quality. Pain and depression were measured through subjective reports, and medication adherence was measured objectively with an electronic medication monitor on medication bottle caps.

Sleep disturbances and depression are more prevalent in women in the general population. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), women face many challenges that interfere with their sleep quality and duration.

More information about how sleep affects women can be found at http://www.sleepeducation.com/Topic.aspx?id=67

Abstract Title: Sleep Quality in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Presentation Date: Wednesday, June 10
Category: Sleep in Medical Disorders
Abstract ID: 1007

Source:
Kelly Wagner

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Meditation may be an effective behavioral intervention in the treatment of insomnia, according to a research abstract presented at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies

Results indicate that patients saw improvements in subjective sleep quality and sleep diary parameters while practicing meditation. Sleep latency, total sleep time, total wake time, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, sleep quality and depression improved in patients who used meditation.

According to principal investigator Ramadevi Gourineni, MD, director of the insomnia program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Evanston, Ill., insomnia is believed to be a 24-hour problem of hyperarousal, and elevated measures of arousals are seen throughout the day.

“Results of the study show that teaching deep relaxation techniques during the daytime can help improve sleep at night,” said Gourineni.

The study gathered data from 11 healthy subjects between the ages of 25 and 45 years with chronic primary insomnia. Participants were divided into two intervention groups for two months: Kriya Yoga (a form of meditation that is used to focus internalized attention and has been shown to reduce measures of arousal) and health education. Subjective measures of sleep and depression were collected at baseline and after the two-month period.

Both groups received sleep hygiene education; members of the health education group also received information about health-related topics and how to improve health through exercise, nutrition, weight loss and stress management.

Abstract Title: Effects of Meditation on Sleep in Individuals with Chronic Insomnia
Presentation Date: Tuesday, June 9
Category: Insomnia
Abstract ID: 0874

Source:
Kelly Wagner

American Academy of Sleep Medicine