Academic Preparation for Sleep Evaluation and Intervention in Entry Level Occupational and Physical Therapy Programs

Research Objectives: To investigate the curricular preparation in formal sleep evaluation tools and sleep interventions taught in entry-level occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) academic programs.

Design: A national cross-sectional survey to examine sleep curriculum content

Setting: Accredited entry-level OT and PT programs in the United States

Participants: Faculty from entry-level OT (n=34) and PT programs (n=62) responsible for sleep instruction in the curriculum

Interventions: Not applicable

Main Outcome Measures: Survey questions on sleep instruction practices including formal sleep evaluation tools, interventions taught in the curricula, total curricular hours devoted to sleep evaluation and management, and differences in sleep instruction between OT and PT programs.

Results: The majority of respondents indicated only 1-2 hours of content instruction related to formal sleep evaluations (OT, 66.8%; PT, 50.4%), and sleep interventions (OT, 62.2%; PT 63.1%). Formal sleep evaluation tools were taught more frequently in OT programs (50%), compared to PT programs (39%), p < 0.05. The most commonly taught evaluation tools were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (OT, 35.3%; PT 17.8%), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (OT, 20.6%; PT 19.4%), Insomnia Severity Index (OT, 17.7%; PT 12.9%), and the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (OT, 17.7%; PT 9.7%). Preferred interventions included the use of regular sleep schedules, (OT, 73.5%; PT 58.1%), limiting screen time (OT, 75.9%; PT, 56.5%), and room lighting reduction (OT, 61.76%; PT ,53.3%). Significant utilization differences (p < 0.05) were found between OT and PT in the use of cognitive behavioral therapy-insomnia (OT, 41.2%; PT, 19.4%), sensory techniques (OT, 50.0%; PT, 21.0%), and weighted blankets (OT, 55.9%; PT,, 24.2%). The primary reasons for limited instruction were inadequate faculty knowledge on the subject (38.20%) and lack of space in the curriculum (28.09%).

Conclusions: Adequate sleep is vital to optimal health and function and has been shown to affect neuroplasticity, anxiety, depression, activity level, and cognition. Additional academic preparation in sleep management for OT and PT professionals may enhance overall patient health and well-being.

Author(s) Disclosures: None