Article

The present study aimed to assess changes in the circadian and homeostatic
control of the sleep-wake pattern in stroke patients and correlations with
quality of life. Participants were 22 patients (55 +/- 12 years)
and 24 healthy
subjects (57 +/- 11 years). Instruments used were: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality
Index, SF-36 Questionnaire and Actigraphy. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney
test and Spearman's correlation. Results identified a significant difference in
sleep quality and quality of life between patients and healthy subjects, with
patients on average exhibiting poor sleep quality (patients: 8.4 +/- 3.4; healthy
subjects: 6.2 +/- 2.5; p = 0.0001) and low quality of life scores (p < 0.001).
Correlation analysis detected an association between circadian variables (total
activity, start and finish times of activity) and quality of life
(p < 0.001).
Associations between homeostatic variables (sleep duration, latency and
efficiency) and quality of life were also significant (p < 0.001).
In conclusion,
results in this study showed compromised sleep quality and quality of life in the
patients evaluated, associated with circadian and homeostatic alterations. This
suggests that complaints regarding poor sleep quality be taken into consideration
when planning the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS