Poor Sleep and Inflammatory Gene Expression Among Care Partners of Persons Living with Dementia: A Pilot Trial of a Behavioral Sleep Intervention

Abstract

Poor sleep is associated with increased inflammation, thereby increasing the risk of chronic diseases and mortality. However, the effects of behavioral sleep interventions on the upstream inflammatory system are unknown among family care partners (CP). The present study explored the role of a behavioral sleep intervention program on inflammatory gene expression. This was part of a randomized controlled trial of a sleep intervention for dementia care dyads with sleep problems. Thirty dyads were randomized to sleep intervention or control groups. Sleep outcomes for CP were assessed with one week of actigraphy and sleep diary, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Other information included CP demographics, body mass index (BMI), and intensity of caregiving tasks. All outcomes were collected at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Neither group showed any significant differential changes in gene expression from baseline to post-treatment or 3-month follow-up. A decrease in inflammatory gene expression was significantly associated with more nights of good sleep (i.e., nights without trouble falling or staying asleep at night). This finding remained significant after controlling for group (intervention/control), timepoint (baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up), and CP characteristics (e.g., age, ethnicity). Although better sleep was associated with decreased inflammatory gene expression, this study did not demonstrate any benefits of a behavioral sleep intervention over control, most likely due to a small sample. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to test the specific aspects of disturbed sleep that relate to inflammatory biology among CP of persons living with dementia.