Orexin receptor antagonism, a new sleep-enabling paradigm: a proof-of-concept clinical trial

The orexin system is a key regulator of sleep and wakefulness. In a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study, 161 primary insomnia patients received either the dual orexin receptor antagonist almorexant, at 400, 200, 100, or 50 mg in consecutive stages, or placebo on treatment nights at 1-week intervals. The primary end point was sleep efficiency (SE) measured by polysomnography; secondary end points were objective latency to persistent sleep (LPS), wake after sleep onset (WASO), safety, and tolerability. Dose-dependent almorexant effects were observed on SE , LPS , and WASO . SE improved significantly after almorexant 400 mg vs. placebo (mean treatment effect 14.4%; P < 0.001). LPS (–18 min (P = 0.02)) and WASO (–54 min (P < 0.001)) decreased significantly at 400 mg vs. placebo. Adverse-event incidence was dose-related. Almorexant consistently and dose-dependently improved sleep variables. The orexin system may offer a new treatment approach for primary insomnia.     

AASM standards of practice compliant validation of actigraphic sleep analysis from SOMNOwatch™ versus polysomnographic sleep diagnostics shows high conformity also among subjects with sleep disordered breathing

In recent AASM practice, parameter actimetry is cited to measure total sleep time in obstructive sleep apnoea patients, when polysomnography is not available. An actigraph was therefore compared to polysomnographic data in 28 subjects with known sleep disordered breathing. Total sleep time (TST), sleep period time (SPT), sleep efficiency (SE), sustained sleep efficiency (SSE), sleep onset latency (SL) and sleep/wake pattern were compared to gold standard polysomnography. The results of an epoch-by-epoch comparison of sleep/wake from actigraphy to sleep stages from polysomnography gave a sensitivity of 90.2%, a specificity of 95.2% and an overall accuracy of 85.9%. Correlations were moderately strong for SE (0.71, p < 0.001) and SSE (0.65, p < 0.001) and high for TST (0.89, p < 0.001), SPT (0.91, p < 0.001) and SL (0.89, p < 0.001). It was concluded that actigraphy is not identical with PSG recording but gives good results in sleep/wake patterns and predicting TST, SPT, SSE, SE and SL also in sleep apnoea patients not suffering from other sleep disorders. The difficult detection of correct sleep onset causes SSE and SL to be less predictable. Therefore a 15-epoch criterion was introduced and resulted in high correlation of 0.89 for sleep latency, but has to be tested on a bigger population.     

Polysomnographic measures in Parkinson's disease: a comparison between patients with and without REM sleep disturbances

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep abnormalities in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and compare polygraphic sleep measures in those with and without REM sleep disturbances. DESIGN: Polysomnographic recordings of 2 consecutive nights were performed in 45 patients with PD (mean age 65 years, mean Hoehn and Yahr stage 2.2). Twenty patients were treated with dopaminergic drugs, 10 were drug-free for two weeks and 15 had never been treated with L-dopa or dopamine agonists. According to the polysomnographic findings, the patients were divided into those with and without REM sleep abnormalities. Abnormal REM sleep features were defined as REM sleep without atonia (RWA) and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). RESULTS: Eighteen (40%) of the PD patients showed either RWA (24%; 6 men, 5 women) or RBD (16%; 6 men, 1 woman). Patients with REM sleep disturbances had a significantly longer duration of the disease (8.3 vs. 3.9 years), a more severe stage of the disease (2.6 vs. 2.0 Hoehn and Yahr stage) and were treated with a higher dosage of dopaminergic drugs (L-dopa, pergolide and bromocriptin). 67% of the patients with normal REM sleep were untreated at the time of the sleep study, but only 39% of those with REM sleep abnormalities. Sleep EEG measures (sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, sleep period time, relative amounts of sleep stages) for the second night showed no significant differences between both groups apart from a significantly lower sleep period time in PD patients with RWA/RBD. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal REM sleep features are a frequent finding in patients with PD. The prevalence seems to increase with a longer disease duration. Therefore, a careful follow-up is necessary. A sleep architecture not different from PD patients without RWA/RBD suggests that the underlying abnormality is confined to REM sleep.     

Ramelteon for the treatment of insomnia

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder with a significant potential for deleterious effects on activities of daily living, productivity, and overall quality of life. Ramelteon, a highly selective agonist for melatonin subtypes 1 and 2 receptors, is a hypnotic agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, and tolerability of ramelteon in the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1966 to July 2006), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (January 1970 to July 2006), EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology (1980 to third quarter 2006), and Current Contents/Clinical Medicine (2005 week 32 to 2006 week 31). Search terms included ramelteon, TAK-375, melatonin agonist, melatonin receptor agonist, insomnia, and sleep disorders/drug therapy (MeSH). RESULTS: A literature search revealed 12 randomized, controlled clinical trials that examined the efficacy or tolerability of ramelteon. In addition, 17 studies were reviewed for pharmacology and pharmacokinetic data. The references of the clinical trials and recent review articles were examined to ensure the comprehensiveness of the literature search. In 2 trials of patients with primary insomnia, patients treated with ramelteon 4 to 32 mg had significant reductions in latency to persistent sleep (LPS) compared with placebo (P < 0.001). Additionally, improvements in total sleep time (TST) were observed (P < 0.001), although increases in TST were noted only on nights 1-2 of the second study. Similarly, improvement in sleep efficiency was reported only on nights 1-2 of the second trial (P < 0.001). In elderly patients with primary insomnia, significant reductions in subjective LPS were observed with ramelteon 4 and 8 mg (P = 0.008); however, average subjective LPS was >70 minutes. Mean reported TST was significantly increased in the 4-mg group (P = 0.004). A second study in elderly patients found decreases in LPS with ramelteon 4 mg (P < 0.001) and 8 mg (P < 0.01), as well as significant increases in TST (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Sleep efficiency improved for patients treated with 4 mg (P < 0.05) and 8 mg (P < 0.01). Overall, the mean decrease in LPS reported in trials of ramelteon ranged from 10 to 19 minutes, and the mean increase in TST was 8 to 22 minutes. The most common adverse events observed with ramelteon included headache (7%), dizziness (5%), somnolence (5%), fatigue (4%), and nausea (3%). No evidence of cognitive impairment, rebound insomnia, withdrawal effects, or abuse potential was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this review, ramelteon, the first FDA-approved melatonin receptor agonist, represents a pharmacologic option for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep. In patients with insomnia, treatment with ramelteon was generally well tolerated and resulted in modest but statistically significant decreases in LPS. In the absence of published trials comparing ramelteon with other sedative-hypnotic agents, it is not yet possible to determine its efficacy relative to other therapeutic options for insomnia.     

利用多导睡眠仪评估持续低流量吸氧对轻度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征的治疗

目的探讨持续低流量吸氧在治疗轻度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者时价值。方法60例轻度(AHI≤20)OSAHS患者接受持续低流量吸氧治疗,观察治疗前和治疗时多导睡眠仪(PSG)参数变化。治疗效果主要表现睡眠效率(SE),觉醒次数(WASO),I期+II期,III期+IV期及REM期睡眠各占总睡眠时间(TST)的比例,呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI),夜间平均血氧饱和度(MSaO2),夜间最低血氧饱和度(LSaO2)。结果轻度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者治疗前AHI(17±2.8)次/h,MSaO2(91.1±2.1)%,LSaO2(86.2±1.2)%,经持续低流量吸氧治疗后AHI(3.0±1.2)次/h,MSaO2(97±1.5)%,LSaO2(94±1.6)%,均有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论轻度OSAHS患者经持续低流量吸氧治疗后睡眠结构明显改善,可选择持续低流量吸氧治疗。     

Effect of Exogenous Melatonin on Mood and Sleep Efficiency in Emergency Medicine Residents Working Night Shifts

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether melatonin taken prior to attempted daytime sleep sessions will improve daytime sleep quality, nighttime sleepiness, and mood state in emergency medicine (EM) residents, changing from daytime to nighttime work schedules. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind crossover design was used in an urban emergency department. Emergency medicine residents who worked two strings of nights, of at least three nights' duration each, and separated by at least one week of days were eligible. Subjects were randomized to receive either melatonin 1 mg or placebo, 30 to 60 minutes prior to their daytime sleep session, for three consecutive days after each night shift. Crossover to the other agent occurred during their subsequent night shifts. Objective measures of quality of daytime sleep were obtained using the Actigraph 1000. This device measures sleep motion and correlates with sleep efficiency, total sleep time, time in bed, and sleep latency. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) were also used to quantify nighttime mood and sleepiness. RESULTS: Among the 19 volunteers studied, there was no difference in sleep efficiency (91.16% vs 90.98%, NS), sleep duration (379.6 min vs 342.7 min, NS), or sleep latency (7.59 min vs 6.80 min, NS), between melatonin and placebo, respectively. In addition, neither the POMS total mood disturbance (5.769 baseline vs 12.212 melatonin vs 5.585 placebo, NS) nor the SSS (1.8846 baseline vs 2.2571 melatonin vs 2.1282 placebo, NS) demonstrated a statistical difference in nighttime mood and sleepiness between melatonin and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: There are no beneficial effects of a 1-mg melatonin dose on sleep quality, alertness, or mood state during night shift work among EM residents.     

The effect of earplugs on sleep measures during exposure to simulated intensive care unit noise.

BACKGROUND: Sleep deprivation may contribute to impaired immune function, ventilatory compromise, disrupted thermoregulation, and delirium. Noise levels in intensive care units may be related to disturbed sleep patterns, but noise reduction has not been tested in this setting. OBJECTIVE: To measure the effect of a noise reduction intervention on the sleep of healthy subjects exposed to simulated intensive care unit noise. METHODS: After digital audiotape recording of noise and development of the noise reduction intervention, 5 nocturnal 8-hour periods of sleep were measured in 6 paid, healthy volunteers at 7-day intervals in a sleep disorders center. Polysomnographic data were collected by experienced sleep disorders technicians and scored by certified raters. After the first 3 quiet nights, earplugs were randomly assigned to be worn on the fourth and fifth nights during exposure to the recorded noise. Sound pressure levels were measured during all 5 nights. RESULTS: Sleep architecture and sound measurements on quiet nights did not differ significantly. Sound levels were significantly lower on quiet nights than on noise nights. Exposure to the noise increased the number of awakenings, percentage of stage 2 sleep, and rapid eye movement latency and decreased time asleep, sleep maintenance efficiency index, and percentage of rapid eye movement sleep. Earplugs worn during exposure to the noise produced a significant decrease in rapid eye movement latency and an increase in the percentage of rapid eye movement sleep. CONCLUSION: The results provide a reasonable basis for testing the effects of earplugs on the sleep of critically ill subjects.     

Temporal daily associations between pain and sleep in adolescents with chronic pain versus healthy adolescents

Adolescents with chronic pain frequently report sleep disturbances, particularly short sleep duration, night wakings, and poor sleep quality. Prior research has been limited by assessment of subjectively reported sleep only and lack of data on daily relationships between sleep and pain. The current study utilized multilevel modeling to compare daily associations between sleep and pain in adolescents with chronic pain and healthy adolescents. Ninety-seven adolescents (n = 39 chronic pain; n = 58 healthy) aged 12-18, 70.1% female participated. Adolescents completed pain diary ratings (0-10 NRS) and actigraphic sleep monitoring for 10 days. Actigraphic sleep variables (duration, efficiency, WASO) and self-reported sleep quality were tested as predictors of next-day pain, and daytime pain was tested as a predictor of sleep that night. Effects of age, gender, study group, and depressive symptoms on daily associations between sleep and pain were also tested. Multivariate analyses revealed that nighttime sleep (p < .001) and minutes awake after sleep onset (WASO) (p < .05) predicted next-day pain, with longer sleep duration and higher WASO associated with higher pain. Contrary to hypotheses, neither nighttime sleep quality nor sleep efficiency predicted pain the following day. The interaction between nighttime sleep efficiency and study group was significant, with adolescents with pain showing stronger associations between sleep efficiency and next-day pain than healthy participants (p = .05). Contrary to hypotheses, daytime pain did not predict nighttime sleep. Daily associations between pain and sleep suggest that further work is needed to identify specific adolescent sleep behaviors (e.g., compensatory sleep behaviors) that may be targeted in interventions.     

Influence of Pair-housing on Sleep Parameters Evaluated with Actigraphy in Female Rhesus Monkeys

Rhesus monkeys are naturally social animals, and behavioral management strategies have focused on promoting pair-housing in laboratory settings as an alternative to individual or group housing. In humans, co-sleeping can have a major impact on bed partners’ sleep, raising the possibility that pair-housing also may influence sleep parameters in monkeys. In the present study, we investigated if pair-housing would impact home-cage partner’s sleep in female rhesus monkeys, and if nighttime separation using socialization panels would alter this pattern. Sleep parameters of 10 experimentally naïve adult female rhesus monkeys (5 pairs) were evaluated for 7 consecutive days using actigraphy monitors attached to primate collars. Paired animals then were separated by socialization panels during the night, and sleep-associated measures were evaluated for 7 consecutive days. The data showed that sleep efficiency was significantly lower when monkeys were pair-housed as compared with when they were separated. On the nights when subjects were pair-housed, a positive correlation was detected for sleep measures (both sleep latency and efficiency) of both members of a pair (R2’s = 0.16–0.5), suggesting that pair-housing influences sleep quality. On nights when subjects were separated, no correlations were observed for sleep measures between members of the pairs (R2’s = 0.004–0.01), suggesting that when separated, the home-cage partner’s sleep no longer influenced the partner’s sleep. Our results indicate that pair-housing has a strong impact on the home-cage partner’s sleep, and that this pattern can be prevented by nighttime separation using socialization panels. Studies evaluating sleep in pair-housed monkeys should consider the effects that the partner’s sleep may have on the subject’s sleep. Sleep is a biologic phenomenon and experimental outcome that affects physical and behavioral health and altered sleep due to pair-housing may affect a range of research outcomes.     

The accuracy of simple,feasible alternatives to polysomnography for assessing sleep in intensive care: An observational study

BackgroundSleep disturbance is common in intensive care patients. Understanding the accuracy of simple, feasible sleep measurement techniques is essential to informing their possible role in usual clinical care.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate whether sleep monitoring techniques such as actigraphy (ACTG), behavioural assessments, and patient surveys are comparable with polysomnography (PSG) in accurately reporting sleep quantity and quality among conscious, intensive care patients.MethodsAn observational study was conducted in 20 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for a minimum duration of 24 h, who underwent concurrent sleep monitoring via PSG, ACTG, nursing-based observations, and self-reported assessment using the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire.ResultsThe reported total sleep time (TST) for the 20 participants measured by PSG was 328.2 min (±106 min) compared with ACTG (362.4 min [±62.1 min]; mean difference = 34.22 min [±129 min]). Bland–Altman analysis indicated that PSG and ACTG demonstrated clinical agreement and did not perform differently across a number of sleep variables including TST, awakening, sleep-onset latency, and sleep efficiency. Nursing observations overestimated sleep duration compared to PSG TST (mean difference = 9.95 ± 136.3 min, p > 0.05), and patient-reported TST was underestimated compared to PSG TST (mean difference = −51.81 ± 144.1 7, p > 0.05).ConclusionsAmongst conscious patients treated in the ICU, sleep characteristics measured by ACTG were similar to those measured by PSG. ACTG may provide a clinically feasible and acceptable proxy approach to sleep monitoring in conscious ICU patients.     

A brief behavioral sleep intervention for family caregivers of persons with cancer

Behavioral interventions that support caregivers' restful sleep may delay the onset or decrease the severity of debilitating depressive symptoms. This, in turn, may increase caregivers' physical and psychological health and wellbeing. A repeated-measures experimental design was used to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a brief behavioral sleep intervention for family caregivers of persons with advanced stage cancer. The CAregiver Sleep Intervention (CASI) includes stimulus control, relaxation, cognitive therapy, and sleep hygiene elements. CASI is individualized and delivered to accommodate caregiver burden. Thirty adult caregivers participated. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D), and Caregiver Quality of Life-Cancer scale (CQOLC) were used to measure self-reported sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and quality of life. Actigraphs measured latency, duration, efficiency, and wake after sleep onset (WASO) scores. Data were collected at baseline, 3 and 5 weeks, 2, 3, and 4 months post baseline. Improvement was seen across groups; however, intervention caregivers showed more improvement in PSQI and CES-D scores than control caregivers. The CASI appears to be effective in improving sleep quality and depressive symptoms in caregivers of persons with cancer. Improvements in quality of life scores were similar across groups. Sample size and homogeneity limit generalizability.     

Analysis of Nighttime Activity and Daytime Pain in Patients with Chronic Back Pain Using a Self-Organizing Map Neural Network

There may be a relationship between sleep and pain in patients with chronic back pain. We collected day-time pain and nighttime activity data from 18 patients diagnosed with chronic back pain. The patients were followed for 6 days and 5 nights. Pain levels were collected every 90 min between 0800 hours and 2200 hours using a computerized electronic diary. Activity levels were collected using a wrist accelerometer (Actiwatch AW-64). The Actiwatch sampled activity counts every 1 min. Patients were asked to wear the Actiwatch on their non-dominant arm. The pain level measurements were interpolated using cubic splines. A mean pain level was calculated for each period 0800 hours to 2200 hours as well as for the 6-day period. The difference between the mean pain levels for the 6-day period and each 0800 hours to 2200 hours period was calculated for each patient. Nighttime activity data were analyzed using the Actiwatch Sleep Analysis software. Correlations were calculated between the Actiwatch Sleep Analysis variables and the mean pain level differences for each patient and period. The correlation analysis was performed with SPSS 7.5. We were unable to show any significant relationships. A different approach to analyze the data was used. A Self-Organizing Map (SOM) Neural Network was trained using the original nighttime activity level time series from 10 randomly selected patients. Recall was then performed on all the activity level data. Correlations were calculated between the pain level variance for the 6-day period for each patient and the corresponding difference in the SOM output coordinates. The correlation was found to be r = 0.73, p < 0.01). We conclude that daytime pain levels are not directly correlated with sleep in the following night and that sleep is not directly correlated with daytime pain levels on the following day in this group of patients. There appears to be a correlation between the difference in nighttime activity levels and patterns and the daytime pain variance. Patients who experience large fluctuations in daytime pain levels also show a higher variability in their nighttime activity levels and patterns. Even though we were unable to show a direct relationship between daytime pain and sleep, it may be reasonable to assume that better pain control resulting in less daytime pain fluctuations can provide more stable nighttime activity levels and patterns in this limited group of patients. By using a neural network model, we were able to extract information from the nighttime activity levels even though a traditional statistical analysis was unsuccessful.     

内侧视前区微量注射NMDA对异丙酚睡眠作用的影响

目的 通过在内侧视前区(mPOA)微量注射NMDA,观察其对异丙酚睡眠作用的影响,探讨异丙酚睡眠作用机制。方法 SD大鼠42只,随机分为6组:NS组、2%二甲基亚砜(DMS0)组、异丙酚组、NMDA 10pmol组、NMDA 20pmol组、异丙酚+NMDA 20pmol组,记录并分析睡眠EEG变化。结果 微量注射异丙酚80 ng显著增加2 h内总睡眠时间,主要为延长非快动跟睡眠时期,缩短睡眠潜伏期。给予不同剂量NMDA时,2 h内总睡眠时间显著缩短,睡眠潜伏期延长。NMDA20pmol可拮抗异丙酚诱发的睡眠,主要缩短非快动眼睡眠时期,对快动眼睡眠无明显影响。结论 在mPOA微量注射NMDA可拮抗异丙酚的睡眠作用。     

Lorazepam-efficacy, side effects, and rebound phenomena

Lorazepam, 4 mg, was evaluated in an 18-night sleep-laboratory study involving five insomniac subjects. Hypnotic effectiveness and effects on sleep stages and related parameters were assessed. Placebo was given on baseline nights 1 to 4, lorazepam on nights 5 to 11, and placebo was given again on withdrawal nights 12 to 18. Subjective and objective data clearly demonstrated that lorazepam was effective for both inducing and maintaining sleep. Sleep latency was reduced from a baseline value of 34.6 min to 17.9 min (P less than 0.01) and total wake time was reduced from 75.9 to 38.5 min (P less than 0.01). On the third and fifth nights of drug withdrawal total wake time rose above baseline levels (termed rebound insomnia) and sleep latency increased by 77% and 60% over baseline (P less than 0.01). Subjective estimates of daytime anxiety also increased above baseline (rebound anxiety) during the withdrawal period. All subjects experienced severe hangover and varying degrees of impaired functioning during the first 3 days on drug. Three subjects also experienced anterograde amnesia during the day after the first drug night. These side effects diminished in intensity over the course of the study. Our results suggest that while 4 mg lorazepam may be effective in inducing and maintaining sleep, this dose induces clinically significant side effects that are followed by consistent rebound phenomena after withdrawal.     

Effect of nootropic drugs on normal and disturbed sleep of the elderly: controlled studies with pyridoxilate and street noise

The effect of the nootropic drug, piridoxilate on normal and on exogenously (by traffic noise) disturbed sleep and awakening quality was investigated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. 10 elderly subjects with a mean age of 62 years spent 13 nights in the sleep laboratory: 2 adaptation nights, 1 baseline night, 3 drug nights (placebo, 300 and 600 mg piridoxilate), as well as 2 drug nights with nocturnal traffic noise (placebo and 600 mg piridoxilate) and the subsequent wash-out nights. Polysomnographic recordings (including EEG, EMG and EOG) were carried out between 10:30 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. Traffic noise was pre-recorded at a busy Viennese street and presented continuously by a loudspeaker with a sound pressure level at the ear of between 68 and 83 dB (A) [mean 75.6 dB (A)]. In the morning the subjects completed a sleep questionnaire for the subjective evaluation of their quality of sleep and awakening. Thereafter objective awakening quality was measured by a psychometric test battery. Piridoxilate did not induce any significant changes in objective and subjective sleep variables. Nocturnal traffic noise produced a decrease in total sleep time and sleep efficiency, an increase in wakefulness and drowsiness (stage 1), as well as a decrease in REM and deep sleep stages, the last-mentioned being of statistical significance. Subjectively, the elderly subjects reported a deterioration in sleep quality due to traffic noise, an increase in middle and late insomnia, as well as a deterioration in awakening quality (dizziness, tiredness, headaches). Piridoxilate did not ameliorate these sleep disturbances.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Differential effects of amitriptyline and of zimelidine on the sleep electroencephalogram of depressed patients

The effects of amitriptyline (n = 14) or zimelidine (n = 13) on the sleep electroencephalogram of hospitalized depressed patients were assessed in a double-blind protocol involving 28 days of active dosing. Zimelidine induced no immediate improvement in sleep continuity, and even after 3 wk on zimelidine subjects tended to have longer sleep latency, more awakenings, and lighter non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than before taking the drug. Zimelidine did, however, induce a rapid and persistent alteration of sleep architecture and selected REM measures. REM sleep, which was suppressed over the first two nights on zimelidine, was maximally suppressed after 1 wk, but by 3 wk there was some tolerance for selected REM measures. While zimelidine induced none of the sedative effects of amitriptyline, both were equivalent in their REM-suppressant effects. These findings are discussed in terms of the differences in uptake blockade and anticholinergic potency in these two drugs.     

腺样体肥大儿童睡眠特征分析及护理

目的研究腺样体肥大对儿童睡眠结构的影响,以便有针对性地指导护理。方法通过多导睡眠图分析47例腺样体肥大儿童睡眠结构,并与同龄组儿童睡眠结构正常值进行比较。结果腺样体肥大组的睡眠结构存在如下异常:与同龄组正常儿童相比,S1期、Delta期、NREM期所占比例增加,S2期、REM期所占比例减少;总醒觉时间,NREM醒觉次数明显高于REM醒觉次数;REM潜伏期比正常值延长约2倍,睡眠效率低于正常值。结论腺样体肥大主要引起睡眠结构紊乱、醒觉次数增加、REM睡眠剥夺睡眠片段、睡眠效率低,但Delta期睡眠时间增加。针对睡眠和围手术期的护理干预有助于该病患儿的康复。     

Evaluating effects of aromatherapy massage on sleep in children with autism: a pilot study

Previous studies have found beneficial effects of aromatherapy massage for agitation in people with dementia, for pain relief and for poor sleep. Children with autism often have sleep difficulties, and it was thought that aromatherapy massage might enable more rapid sleep onset, less sleep disruption and longer sleep duration. Twelve children with autism and learning difficulties (2 girls and 10 boys aged between 12 years 2 months to 15 years 7 months) in a residential school participated in a within subjects repeated measures design: 3 nights when the children were given aromatherapy massage with lavender oil were compared with 14 nights when it was not given. The children were checked every 30 min throughout the night to determine the time taken for the children to settle to sleep, the number of awakenings and the sleep duration. One boy's data were not analyzed owing to lengthy absence. Repeated measures analysis revealed no differences in any of the sleep measures between the nights when the children were given aromatherapy massage and nights when the children were not given aromatherapy massage. The results suggest that the use of aromatherapy massage with lavender oil has no beneficial effect on the sleep patterns of children with autism attending a residential school. It is possible that there are greater effects in the home environment or with longer-term interventions.     

软腭等离子射频消融对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征的疗效

目的　探讨采用等离子低温射频术对轻症阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征 (OSAHS)患者行软腭部消融的临床疗效。方法　选择 18例轻度OSAHS患者 ,分别于术前和术后 8周行多导睡眠图等检查 ,比较软腭长度、悬雍垂长度、鼾声评级及Epworth嗜睡程度评分 ,观察术中、后的主要反应。结果　患者射频治疗前和治疗 8周后多导睡眠参数比较显示 :治疗后Ⅰ +Ⅱ期睡眠 /总睡眠时间 (TST) (% )明显缩短 ,Ⅲ +Ⅳ期睡眠 /TST (% )明显延长、睡眠效率 (TST/总记录时间 % )及最低脉氧饱和度 (LSpO2 )均显著提高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;此外 ,呼吸暂停低通气指数的减低以及打鼾时间 /TST的缩短均较治疗前相差非常显著 (P <0 .0 1)。患者射频治疗 8周后软腭长度及悬雍垂长度的缩短及鼾声评级的降低均较治疗前相差非常显著 (P <0 .0 1)。Epworth嗜睡程度评分亦较治疗前明显降低 (P <0 .0 1)。软腭射频术后对疼痛、讲话及吞咽的影响的评分标准 ,18例患者术后 1～ 3天对以上三项的影响基本在轻度以内 ,术后 7天时影响又较 1～ 3天时进一步改善。结论　等离子低温射频消融对于轻度OSAHS患者具有较明显的近期疗效 ,且安全无明显不良反应。其远期疗效尚有待观察。