Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

This paper is in two parts. The first part reviews the available literature describing sleep patterns of people with mental handicap and the nature and prevalence of sleep disorders amongst this client group. Both electroencephalographic studies and informant-based reports are included. The literature is small, particularly in terms of the latter reports, and most of the information from both E.E.G. and informant sources describes populations of children with mental handicap. The need for further investigation of sleep and sleep problems, particularly amongst adults with mental handicap, therefore, becomes evident. The second part presents the results of a detailed sleep survey of 120 adults with mental handicap, approximately half of whom were resident in hospital and half in the community. A descriptive summary of the total sample is provided. Fifteen per cent of the sample presented significant sleep problems, particularly in the form of intermittent wakenings. The results of comparisons between (1) good and poor sleepers (2) hospital and community residents and (3) people with mental handicap and 'normal' adults (using data from another study) are then presented. The relationships between sleep and daytime functioning and the potential usefulness of behavioural approaches to management of sleep pattern are discussed.

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Ment Defic Res

Publication Date

02/1991

Volume

35 ( Pt 1)

Pages

25 - 36

Keywords

Adult, Arousal, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Intellectual Disability, Male, Sleep Stages, Sleep Wake Disorders, Sleep, REM