The Burden of Caregiving and Sleep Disturbance Among Family Caregivers of Advanced Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbance may cause physical and psychological problems. The relationship between sleep disturbance and the burden of caregiving among family caregivers (FCs) has not previously been investigated.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to (1) assess subjective and objective information on the sleep patterns of FCs of advanced cancer patients and (2) identify the components of caregiving burden that are risk factors for sleep disturbance among these FCs.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study of 176 FCs was conducted. Subjective and objective tools measuring sleep quality and caregiver burden were used. A hierarchical regression model was applied to identify the predictive factors for sleep disturbance among FCs.

Results: Approximately 72.2% of FCs experienced sleep disturbance. The major sleep disturbance was frequent "wake after sleep onset" to provide patient care; a nap during the day was necessary. Correlations were strong between caregiver burden and sleep quality. The final regression model, which included subjective and objective burden, predicted 56.6% of the variance in sleep disturbance.

Conclusions: Sleep disturbance was common in FCs of advanced cancer patient, and our results demonstrated the relationship between sleep disturbance and caregiving burden.

Implications for practice: Family caregivers with risk factors for sleep disturbance should be identified and be provided resources for sleep quality improvement.