Uncovering sleep in adults with intellectual disabilities: the course and factors of sleep problems

Sleep problems are common in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). These sleep problems appear to be related to mental and physical health. The suspected causes of sleep problems are medical and psychiatric, lifestyle-related, and related to the environment and organization of care. Sleep problems may result in mood complaints, anxiety, problem behavior, but also obesity and diabetes.

Lack of research

In long-term care for adults with ID, there is a need for tools for preventing, identifying and treating sleep problems. The multidisciplinary Dutch guideline ‘Healthy sleep and sleep problems’ has been developed to provide this guidance. Important knowledge gaps were identified during development. One of these is that there is a lack of research into associated and causal factors of sleep problems in adults with ID.

Aim

Research is important in order to identify risk groups and implement preventive measures in a more targeted manner. Therefore, the overall aim of this project is to investigate the course of sleep and sleep problems in (older) adults with ID and get insight into associated factors of sleep and sleep problems.