The development, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a sleep health intervention on frailty and quality of life in older adults

Objective Aim 1 was to assess feasibility, acceptability and tailor a sleep health intervention for older adults. Aim 2 was to evaluate the impact of the intervention on sleep, frailty and quality of life. Methods Healthy older adults (≥65 years) with poor sleep health were enrolled into a developmental group (DEV, n = 10) and completed a 4-week sleep health intervention. A satisfaction survey and qualitative interview assessed feasibility and acceptability. Next, thirty people were enrolled and randomised into either the intervention group (INT, n = 15), who received the intervention immediately or a wait group (WAIT, n = 15), who received the intervention following a 6-week waiting period. Assessments were completed at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks, including the Sleep Health Composite Score (SHCS), Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). Effect sizes and within- and between-group differences were assessed. Results Forty participants, aged 73.1 ± 5.5 years, mostly female (75%), white (95%) and non-Hispanic (97.5%), enrolled. DEV group was overall satisfied with the intervention. No changes were made to the intervention; the DEV and INT groups were combined for analyses (Early Intervention [EARLY] group). From baseline to 6 weeks, the EARLY group experienced a large effect on SHCS satisfaction and moderate effects on global SHCS, SHCS timing and physical WHOQOL-BREF. Compared to the WAIT group, the EARLY group had moderate effects on SHCS satisfaction domain and WHOQOL-BREF physical domain. Conclusion A sleep health intervention was favourable and effective in older adults and improved quality of life.