The Effect of Sleep Quality and Sleepiness on Fatigue Activities of Daily Living and Physical Activity in the Elderly

Abstract

Objective:This study was planned to determine the effects of sleep quality and sleepiness on fatigue, activities of daily living, and physical activity in the elderly.Materials and Methods:Four hundred forty nine elderly volunteers aged 65 and over, living at home, participated in this study. Socio-demographic data form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PUKI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale (BADL), and Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (EADL) Form were applied to participants.Results:While BADL and EADL scores of the elderly with increased daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality were significantly lower than other individuals; FIS scores were found to be high (p0.05). ESS was negatively correlated with BADL (r=-0.275) and EADL (r=-0.324, and positively correlated with FIS (r=0.417) at a moderate level. PUKI was negatively correlated with BADL (r=-0.289) and EADL (r=-0.272); positively correlated with FIS (r=0.383) at a moderate level. PUKI was negatively correlated with PASE (r=-0.161) at a lower level (p<0.001).Conclusion:Increased daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality in the elderly negatively affect daily life activities and increased fatigue. Therefore, in the elderly it is necessary to screen for sleep disorders and to raise awareness of the importance of sleep quality. Concurrently, it is thought that it would be beneficial to include sleep assessment within the geriatric assessment parameters.

Keywords

• elderly
• sleep
• activities of daily living
• physical activity
• daytime sleepiness
• fatigue