Examining the clinical characteristics of individuals with first episode psychosis with sleep satisfaction

Background: Sleep is a complex yet vital process essential for energy, productivity and emotional balance. Sleep disruption has significant implications for an individual’s health, wellbeing and occupational performance. Sleep disruption is linked to many psychiatric conditions including First Episode Psychosis (FEP). Early recognition and subsequent treatment of FEP can reduce the social and occupational disruption with which it is associated. Objectives: The research aimed to explore the relationship between the clinical characteristics of FEP and the occupation of sleep. Methods: Secondary data analysis was carried out on anonymised information previously gathered by early intervention service, DETECT. No participants were recruited. Data originated from symptom measurement instruments administered as part of standard protocol. Mann Whitney U and Chi square testing were used to identify any correlations between clinical characteristics and sleep. Results: Almost half (47%) of the FEP cohort reported dissatisfaction with sleep. There was no significant difference between those who were satisfied and those who were dissatisfied with sleep in terms of duration of untreated psychosis, depressive symptoms and positive symptoms. In contrast it was identified that sleep was associated with negative symptoms, anxiety and overall quality of life. Conclusion: This study compliments previous findings that sleep disturbance affects an individual’s occupational performance. The impact of sleep on first episode psychosis is multidimensional affecting anxiety levels, negative symptom severity and quality of life. These findings are congruent with literature outside of occupational therapy but further studies examining the effect of sleep on FEP or other conditions would strengthen the evidence base.