Sleep Disturbance in People With Stroke: Experiences,Coping Strategies,and Needs

Abstract

Understanding the experiences of stroke survivors with sleep disturbances is essential for developing effective interventions for addressing post-stroke sleep disturbances. To explore the experiences, coping strategies, and wishes and needs of stroke survivors with sleep disturbances. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 community-dwelling stroke survivors experiencing sleep disturbances. The thematic content analysis was used to identify key themes. Nine themes about experiences emerged: (a)impact of stroke on sleep, (b)sleep aggravating factors, (c)sleep enhancing factors, (d)sleep disturbances, (e)consequences of sleep disturbances, (f)medication, (g)napping, (h)sleep partner, and (i)help-seeking behaviors. Three themes about coping strategies emerged: (a)adaptive strategies, (b)maladaptive strategies, and (c)health care provider recommended strategies. Three themes reflected wishes and needs: (a)sleep interventions and knowledge of sleep and stroke, (b)health care system communication and support, and (c)medication and equipment usage. These findings emphasize the need for tailored, multifaceted interventions and improved health care support to address post-stroke sleep disturbances effectively.

Plain Language Summary

Experiences, coping strategies, and needs of stroke survivors with sleep disturbances

Sleep disturbances are a common but often overlooked issue among stroke survivors, affecting their recovery, everyday activities, and overall well-being. However, little is known about how stroke survivors experience and manage these sleep problems. In this study, the researchers interviewed 15 stroke survivors with sleep difficulties to explore their experiences, including what helps or aggravates their sleep and what they wish could be improved. The findings identified nine main themes about the survivors’ experiences (such as how stroke impacts sleep, aggravating or enhancing factors, and help-seeking behaviors), three themes describing coping strategies (both helpful and unhelpful approaches), and three themes about survivors’ wishes and needs (including the desire for better communication with health care providers and more tailored interventions). These findings emphasize the complexity of sleep disturbances after stroke and the importance of creating targeted, multifaceted approaches that address each survivor’s specific sleep challenges. They also underscore the need for health care systems to integrate sleep management into routine stroke care.