A Novel application of a biopsychosocial theory in the understanding of disturbed sleep before and after kidney transplantation

Abstract

Study Objectives: Sleep and fatigue difficulties appear to be highly prevalent among individuals with end-stage renal disease and individuals who have received a kidney transplant. While there is some evidence of biopsychosocial factors predicting sleep disturbance in these populations, previous studies have relied on single time point retrospective measurements. Methods: The study utilized a 2-week prospective measurement approach, including one night of polysomnographic measurement, nightly sleep diaries, and self-report measures of health, sleep, and mood. Results: The current study demonstrates that a number of psychological and behavioral factors, including negative mood, quality of life, napping, and caffeine consumption, are related to sleep disturbance among pre- And post-kidney transplant patients. This study also found that many of these factors have different relationships with sleep disturbance when comparing pre- And post-kidney transplant patients. Conclusions: These results suggest that such factors may be worthwhile areas for intervention in treating the symptoms of insomnia among pre- And posttransplant recipients. A nuanced approach to understanding sleep problems is likely warranted when conceptualizing insomnia and developing a treatment plan.