Browsing by Author "Gibson R"
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- ItemCharacteristics of atypical sleep durations among older compared to younger adults: Evidence from New Zealand Health Survey(Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America, 2023-02-02) Gibson R; Akter T; Jones C; Towers ABACKGROUND: Understanding and supporting sleep is important across the lifespan. Disparities in sleep status are well documented in mid-life but under-explored among older populations. METHODS: Data from 40,659 adults pooled from the New Zealand Health Surveys was used; 24.2% were 'older adults' (aged ≥65 years), 57% were female, and 20.5% of Māori ethnicity). 'Long', 'short', or 'typical' sleep categories were based on age-related National Sleep Foundation guidelines. Multinomial logistic regression examined predictors of atypical sleep, including sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and health status. RESULTS: Prevalence of short and long sleep among older adults was 296 (3.0%) and 723 (7.4%), respectively. Correspondingly, prevalence among younger adults was 2521 (8.2%) and 364 (1.2%). Atypical sleep was more significantly associated with indicators of reduced socioeconomic status and ethnicity among younger rather than older adults. Within both age groups, lower physical activity was associated with long sleep status. Higher physical activity and smoking were related to short sleep status among younger adults only. Within both age groups, atypical sleep was associated with SF-12 scores indicating poorer physical and mental health. Having ≥3 health conditions was related to short sleep among the older adults, while for young adults, it was related to both atypical durations. CONCLUSIONS: Indicators of negative lifestyle and health factors remain consistent predictors of atypical sleep with ageing. However, demographic disparities are less apparent among older atypical sleepers. This study highlights individual and contextual factors associated with atypical sleep patterns which may be important for age-appropriate recognition and management of sleep problems.
- ItemDaytime fatigue as a predictor for subsequent retirement among older New Zealand workers(Elsevier Inc on behalf of National Sleep Foundation, 2021-12) Myllyntausta S; Gibson R; Salo P; Allen J; Gander P; Alpass F; Stephens CObjectives There is limited information on the role of fatigue on retirement, either independently or in association with poor sleep. The aim of this study was to examine the prospective association between daytime fatigue, measured as feeling tired or feeling worn out, independently and in relation to dissatisfaction with sleep, and subsequent retirement among 960 older workers in New Zealand. Methods Data from 2 consecutive surveys (2008 and 2010) of the New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used. Poisson regression was used to investigate whether feeling tired and feeling worn out in 2008, along with dissatisfaction with sleep, were associated with self-reported retirement either due to health reasons or other reasons by 2010. Results The risk for retirement due to health reasons during a 2-year follow-up was 1.80-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-2.45) among those who felt tired and 1.99-fold (95% CI 1.34-2.64) among those who felt worn out when compared to those not tired or not feeling worn out after adjusting for several sociodemographic, work characteristics and self-rated health. The risk for retirement due to health reasons was even higher when participant experienced both tiredness and feeling worn out. Dissatisfaction with sleep did not predict retirement due to health or other reasons. Conclusions Our results highlight that workers at risk of subsequent retirement due to health reasons may be identified with rather simple questions on tiredness and feeling worn out even among generally healthy older workers.
- ItemEstimating direct N2O emissions from sheep, beef, and deer grazed pastures in New Zealand hill country: accounting for the effect of land slope on N2O emission factors from urine and dung(Elsevier, 2015-03) Saggar SK; Giltrap DL; Davison R; Gibson R; de Klein CAM; Rollo M; Ettema P; Rys GNearly one-half of New Zealand's ruminant livestock graze on hill country pastures where spatial differences in soil conditions are highly variable and excretal deposition is influenced by pasture production, animal grazing and resting behaviour that impact the nitrous oxide (N2O) emission factor from excreta (EF3). New Zealand currently uses country-specific EF3 values for urine and dung of 0.01 and 0.0025, respectively, to estimate direct N2O emissions from excreta. These values have largely been developed from trials on flat pastoral land. The use of the same EF3 for hill pasture with medium and steep slopes has been recognised as a possible source of overestimation of N2O emissions in New Zealand. The objectives of this study were to develop and describe an approach that takes into account the effects of slope in estimating hill country N2O emissions from the dung and urine of ruminant animals (sheep, beef cattle, and deer) across different slope classes, and then compare these estimates with current New Zealand inventory estimates. We use New Zealand as a case study to determine the direct N2O emissions between 1990 and 2012 from sheep, beef cattle and deer excreta using updated estimates of EF3 for sloping land, the area of land in different slope classes by region and farm type, and a nutrient transfer model to allocate excretal-N to the different slope classes, and compare the changes between these hill pastures-specific and current inventory estimates. Our findings are significant - the proposed new methodology using New Zealand specific EFs calculated from a national series of hill country experiments resulted in 52% lower N2O estimates relative to using current inventory emission factors, for the period between 1990 and 2012 and reduces New Zealand's total national agricultural N2O greenhouse inventory estimates by 16%. The improved methodology is transparent, and complete, and has improved accuracy of emission estimates. On this basis, the improved methodology of estimating N2O emission is recommended for adoption where hill land grasslands are grazed by sheep, beef cattle and deer.
- ItemFrom diagnosis to long-term management: the experiences of older New Zealanders with obstructive sleep apnoea(Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, 2018-06-28) Gibson R; Campbell A; Mather S; Neil AINTRODUCTION: In New Zealand (NZ), access to public sleep services is limited to people deemed with the highest need. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) increases with age, but the symptoms and the treatment pathway is expected to differ for older compared to younger patients. This study explored the experience of older people regarding diagnosis and treatment services for OSA in order to inform considerations required in primary health and sleep services. METHODS: Patients who were initiated on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy at the age of 65 years or older were invited to one of three 1.5-h focus group discussions. In total, 16 patients attended; nine were accompanied by their spouse or partner. Discussions were semi-structured and explored experiences with the OSA pathway, from diagnosis through to long-term management. RESULTS: Thematic analysis highlights the key symptoms of OSA. Patients’ experiences with diagnostic and treatment services were generally positive. However, there was an overarching need for greater knowledge and follow up regarding OSA and CPAP therapy. Most patients were happy with CPAP treatment. Issues associated with long-term use, comfort and daily management were highlighted, and strategies used to overcome them discussed. DISCUSSION: Focus groups reported similar experiences, positively endorsing the health value of OSA diagnosis and CPAP therapy. Mechanisms and resources are required at a primary healthcare level in order to raise awareness around sleep and aging, OSA and CPAP. This would aid earlier and more appropriate diagnosis and management of OSA and help overcome some of the gaps identified in this study.
- ItemNon-pharmacological interventions a feasible option for addressing dementia-related sleep problems in the context of family care(BioMed Central Ltd, 2021-05) Gibson R; Dowell A; Jones L; Gander PBackground Sleep disturbances are challenging symptoms associated with mild cognitive impairment or dementia (MCIoD). This study assessed the feasibility of sleep monitoring and non-pharmacological interventions to improve the sleep of New Zealanders with MCIoD and their family carers. Methods A 5-week multi-modal intervention consisting of timed bright light therapy, physical activity, and sleep education was piloted. Sleep was monitored for a week at baseline and conclusion of the trial using actigraphy, diaries, and questionnaires alongside additional health and wellbeing information concerning both care recipients and carers. Results Fifteen pairs participated, 9 completed the trial. Patterns of attrition and participant feedback are discussed. Case studies showed that six of the care recipients had minor improvements to sleep efficiency. Some also had improved subjective sleep ratings and quality of life. Changes did not clearly translate to family carers. However, five of them also showed some improvements in sleep status and mental health. Health deterioration of care recipients may mask the effects of the intervention. Conclusions It is feasible to use non-pharmacological sleep interventions for people with MCIoD and their family carers. Given the limited treatment options, further consideration of such interventions in future research and clinical practice is warranted. Trial registration As this study was to assess the feasibility of proposed methods, it was an observational study without case-control groups nor a medical-based intervention, clinical registration was not required. A future full version of the trial would be registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trails Registry.
- ItemOptimising function and well-being in older adults: protocol for an integrated research programme in Aotearoa/New Zealand.(BioMed Central Ltd, 2022-03-16) Lord S; Teh R; Gibson R; Smith M; Wrapson W; Thomson M; Rolleston A; Neville S; McBain L; Del Din S; Taylor L; Kayes N; Kingston A; Abey-Nesbit R; Kerse N; AWESSoM Project TeamBackground Maintaining independence is of key importance to older people. Ways to enable health strategies, strengthen and support whanāu (family) at the community level are needed. The Ageing Well through Eating, Sleeping, Socialising and Mobility (AWESSOM) programme in Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ) delivers five integrated studies across different ethnicities and ages to optimise well-being and to reverse the trajectory of functional decline and dependence associated with ageing. Methods Well-being, independence and the trajectory of dependence are constructs viewed differently according to ethnicity, age, and socio-cultural circumstance. For each AWESSoM study these constructs are defined and guide study development through collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, and with reference to current evidence. The Compression of Functional Decline model (CFD) underpins aspects of the programme. Interventions vary to optimise engagement and include a co-developed whānau (family) centred initiative (Ngā Pou o Rongo), the use of a novel LifeCurve™App to support behavioural change, development of health and social initiatives to support Pacific elders, and the use of a comprehensive oral health and cognitive stimulation programme for cohorts in aged residential care. Running parallel to these interventions is analysis of large data sets from primary care providers and national health databases to understand complex multi-morbidities and identify those at risk of adverse outcomes. Themes or target areas of sleep, physical activity, oral health, and social connectedness complement social capital and community integration in a balanced programme involving older people across the ability spectrum. Discussion AWESSoM delivers a programme of bespoke yet integrated studies. Outcomes and process analysis from this research will inform about novel approaches to implement relevant, socio-cultural interventions to optimise well-being and health, and to reverse the trajectory of decline experienced with age. Trial registration The At-risk cohort study was registered by the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry on 08/12/2021 (Registration number ACTRN 12621001679875).
- ItemSleep health in later life: Interviews exploring experiences, attitudes and behaviours of older people(Cambridge University Press, 2022-04-21) Crestani F; Williams G; Breheny M; Tupara H; Cunningham C; Gander P; Gibson RSleep is vital for health and wellbeing across the lifecourse. Ethnic differences have been observed with regards to the prevalence and predictors of self-reported sleep problems. An understanding of sleep experiences with ageing and across ethnicities is required to better support older people. Open-ended interviews were conducted with 23 people living in Aotearoa/New Zealand aged 61-92 years (12 MAori and 11 non-MAori) concerning current sleep status, changes over their lifecourse and personal strategies for supporting good sleep. Participants typically expressed satisfaction with current sleep (usually pertaining to duration) or feelings that sleep was compromised (usually pertaining to waking function). Comparisons to a socially perceived 'ideal' sleep were common, with sleep transitions presented as a gradual and accepted part of ageing. Participants resisted medicalising sleep disruptions in older age. While participants were aware of ways to enhance their sleep, many acknowledged engaging in practices that undermined it. Unique insights from some MA ori participants indicated that sleep disruptions were not so readily pathologised compared to Western views and that sleeplessness could provide opportunity for cultural or spiritual connection. Common narratives underpinning the themes were: 'You don't need as much sleep when you're older', 'Sleep just fits in' and 'Having the time of my life'. Findings provide personal experiences and cultural interpretations relating to sleep and ageing. This provides the foundation for future participatory research to co-design sleep health messages which are meaningful for ageing well across ethnicities.
- ItemSleeping in a bubble: factors affecting sleep during New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown(Oxford University Press on behalf of Sleep Research Society, 2022-05-16) Gibson R; Shetty H; Carter M; Münch MNew Zealand (NZ) enforced a rigorous lockdown in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. Infection rates remained remarkably low, yet social and personal routines were affected. Factors associated with reporting worsening sleep were explored using an anonymous online survey launched during New Zealand’s 2020 lockdown. Participants were 723 adults aged 20–85 years (median: 45 years, 82% women). Bed and wake times occurred significantly later compared to pre-lockdown estimates and resulted in shorter social jetlag (15 min). During lockdown, 54.5% were identified as “poor sleepers” [i.e. score > 5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)]. Overall, 45% rated their sleep quality to worsen compared to pre-lockdown, 22% reported an improvement. Reports of worsening sleep were significantly related to increased sleep latency, reduced sleep efficiency, and heightened PSQI scores compared to those with better sleep or no change. Subjectively worse sleep was significantly associated with less time engaging in physical activity, less exposure to daylight, and social interactions compared to pre-lockdown estimates (p < .05). Logistic regression models identified significant relationships between having more vivid dreams and worsening sleep. Worse sleepers also had increased likelihoods of reporting poorer mood and they also scored higher for anxiety compared to those with no change or improved sleep during lockdown (p < .05). Pandemic-related restrictions contributed to poorer self-reported sleep which was linked to deterioration of mood. Negative affect was comparatively lower than reported elsewhere. These findings provide unique insights to the psychosocial impact of the initial COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand, where the disease outbreak remained low.