Betydelsen av omvårdnadsåtgärder för sömn hos personer med demenssjukdom

Sammanfattning: Background: Dementia is a common widespread disease, which is characterized by cognitive impairment due to damage to the brain. The disease cannot be remedied, and the treatment consists of relieving the symptoms and nursing care actions. Previous research has shown that sleep disruption frequently occurs in persons with dementia and can affect other aspects such as quality of life, physical and mental health. Sleep is a central component for physically and mental regaining, as well as recovery, and falls within the remit of the nursing profession. There is evidence supporting that sleep disruption has an impact in persons with dementia, which further gives opportunity to more closely investigate the meaning of nursing care actions, not including drug treatment. Aim: The aim is to describe the meaning of nursing care actions on sleep in persons with dementia living in nursing homes. Method: A literature review which included 12 articles, of which 11 had a quantitative method and 1 qualitative method. Results: Several nursing care actions had impact on sleep, related to three themes of sleep: The meaning of nursing care actions for (1) sleep quality, (2) sleep measured by time and (3) decreased nightly activity and increased daily awakeness. Conclusion: A number of nursing care actions showed a positive meaning for multiple aspects of sleep. Although there is still a need for further research, in order to ensure enough evidence to ascertain a general conclusion; for the impact of nursing care actions on sleep in persons with dementia.