Positive Health Online

Abstract

PHILLIPS and SKELTON, Department of Administrative and Clinical Nursing, College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, USA aimed to explore sleep quality in HIV disease, test the relationship between pain and sleep quality, and test the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving sleep quality in HIV disease.

Background

Sleep disturbances often appear early in HIV disease, contributing to decreased quality of life. Few studies have explored the complex nature of poor sleep quality in HIV disease or tested interventions to improve sleep quality.

Methodology

A pretest, post-test, pre-experimental design was used to test the effects of acupuncture delivered in a group setting on sleep quality. Subjects were 21 HIV-infected men and women aged 29-50 years who reported sleep disturbance 3 or more times a week and who scored greater than 5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Sleep activity was measured using the Wrist Actigraph, and sleep quality was measured for 2 nights before and after 5 weeks of acupuncture treatment (a total of 10 treatments) using the Current Sleep Quality Index. Acupuncture was individualized to address insomnia and other symptoms reported by participants.

Results

Sleep activity and quality improved significantly following 5 weeks of individualized acupuncture delivered in the group setting.

Conclusion

References

Phillips KD, Skelton WD. Effects of individualized acupuncture on sleep quality in HIV disease. The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care 12 (1): 27-39. Jan-Feb 2001.