The aim of this descriptive study was to compare preoperative and post-operative sleep/wake cycle (SWC) patterns of 22 women undergoing elective surgery, with up to one day of hospitalization. The study was approved by the local Review Board. Voluntary women (average age 39 ± 9) filled out a Sleep Journal for 23 consecutive days, before and after the surgery (46 days total). Data were analyzed with Wilcoxon's matched-pairs test. The findings showed slight and transitory SWC changes (increased latency, reduced efficiency and later wake-up time) after the surgery. Nevertheless, sleep quality was improved and there was a fast return to the SWC patterns observed before the intervention, perhaps due to the early exposition to daily routine, e.g. the environmental clues that are important to rhythmic synchronization.
sleep; surgery; nursing; women; hospitalization
