Interventions that Improve Sleep in Caregivers of Adult Care-Recipients: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The purpose of the present review was to compile and analyze all interventions aimed at improving the sleep–rest pattern of adult caregivers. A database search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Twenty-four papers published between 1998 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria. Informal caregivers can benefit from various types of sleep interventions, including (a) cognitive-behavioral sleep interventions (CBIs), (b) caregiver health interventions (CHIs), and (c) exercise programs. Other types of interventions such as acupressure, back massage, reflexology, music, and heart rate variability biofeedback sessions may have beneficial effects on the sleep of caregivers. Yet, studies on this topic are heterogeneous and often have considerable methodological shortcomings. Few clinical trials have explored sleep problems as a dyadic caregiver–patient relationship. It is necessary to conduct new clinical trials to determine the viability and level of evidence of the various strategies aimed at improving sleep of informal caregivers.