本研究は,認知症高齢者の睡眠・覚醒パターンに対するアクティビティケアの効果を検討することを目的に実施した.療養型医療施設に入院していた女性8名を対象に,認知症の特性に応じて立案されたアクティビティケアを週3回30日間実施したところ,コントロール期(介入前30日間)と比較して,1名に夜間最長睡眠持続時間の有意な増加を認め(p<0.05),別の1名に夜間中途覚醒時間の有意な減少を認めた(p<0.05).対象者全体では,有意ではなかったものの,総睡眠時間および夜間最長睡眠持続時間の増加,夜間中途覚醒時間の減少が認められ,アクティビティケアへの参加が認知症高齢者の睡眠・覚醒パターンに好ましい影響を及ぼす可能性があることが示唆された.今後,アクティビティケアによってよりよい睡眠・覚醒パターンへの効果を得るためには,対象者の過去の趣味や生活体験などに関する情報収集,実施期間,実施頻度の検討が必要であると考えられる.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of activity care on the sleep-wake patterns of the frail elderly with dementia in a long-term care facility. Thirty days' sleep-wake patterns of eight women were examined through sleep logs recorded by nurses or care workers. Programs of activity care appropriate to dementia patients were developed and implemented for thirty days. During this period, sleep-wake patterns of participants were recorded to examine the effects of activity care. For one participant, the period of nighttime uninterrupted sleep increased significantly and for another, nighttime awakening hours decreased significantly during the period. These findings indicate that there are positive effects of activity care on the sleep-wake patterns of the frail elderly with dementia. Obtaining useful data on their hobbies and favorite activities, and considering the term and frequency of the intervention would be important for increasing the effects of activity care.