Comparison of the effectiveness of two educational interventions on sleep quality in older adults: a randomized clinical trial.
Khelyane Mesquita de Carvalho, Maria do Livramento Fortes Figueiredo, Nelson Miguel Galindo Neto and 3 others
PMID 36651869WHAT IT FOUND
Both verbal nursing guidance and an illustrated booklet improved older adults' sleep quality, reducing time to fall asleep and night awakenings.
There was no significant difference between the two methods, so simple verbal advice is as effective as using a booklet.
Key findings
01Both interventions significantly improved sleep efficiency and reduced time to fall asleep within each group.
02There was no statistically significant difference between the booklet group and the verbal guidance group in sleep quality parameters.
03Participants in both groups reported significantly fewer night awakenings and better self-rated sleep after the intervention.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study excluded older adults with cognitive impairment, depression, or those taking psychotropic medications, so results may not apply to these common groups in clinical practice. Low education levels among participants may have hindered the effectiveness of the booklet, suggesting that verbal guidance might be superior in populations with low literacy, though this was not statistically tested as a primary outcome. The follow-up period was only eight weeks, so long-term maintenance of sleep improvements is unknown. Blinding was achieved by using different nurses for assessment, but participants were aware of their group allocation (booklet vs. verbal), which could influence self-reported outcomes.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that providing a booklet is unnecessary or ineffective. The study found no significant difference between the two methods, meaning both are valid options. The choice should depend on patient preference and literacy, not on a belief that one is superior.