The Effects of Environmental Modifications on Improving the Sleep Quality of the Elderly Hospitalized in the Cardiac Care Unit

Background: Sleep deprivation is a common problem among the elderly in the cardiac care unit (CCU). Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effects of environmental modifications on sleep quality improvement in these people. Methods: The study population included 60 elderly patients whose sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index with even domains. The environmental factors that can disturb sleep quality were determined via a questionnaire, including 13 questions on a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed in SPSS 22 software via independent sample student t-test and chi-square. Results: After environmental modifications, the total sleep quality scores changed from 11.8 to 5.96, indicating sleep quality improvement. Before executing the environmental modifications, there were no significant correlations between sleep quality scores and demographic variables (sex, age, marital status, and economic status). However, after the modifications, there was a significant relationship between sleep quality and economic status (P = 0.024). Conclusions: Environmental factors can affect sleep quality in the elderly hospitalized in CCU. Therefore, it is possible to improve sleep quality in these individuals by modulating environmental conditions.