The Effect of Sleep Hygiene Education on Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in Patients With Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy

Ağrılı Diyabetik Polinöropatili Hastalara Verilen Uyku Hijyeni Eğitiminin Uyku Kalitesi Ve Yaşam Kalitesi Üzerine Etkisi

This randomized controlled study was designed to the effect of sleep hygiene education on sleep quality and quality of life in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy The study was conducted between January 2025 and January 2026 with 24 patients diagnosed with painful diabetic polyneuropathy (12 experimental, 12 control) at the Neurology clinic and outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Edirne. Data were collected using the "Patient Information Form" including sociodemographic and disease related characteristics, the Electrophysiological Severity Classification, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and SF-12 Health Survey.

Background: Sleep disturbances are common in diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and adversely affect physical and psychological well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sleep hygiene education on sleep quality, pain severity, and quality of life in patients with painful DPN.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted between January 2025 and January 2026 and enrolled 24 patients with electrophysiologically confirmed painful DPN, randomized equally into intervention (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. The intervention group received a standardized sleep hygiene education protocol over three months; the control group continued routine care. Participant blinding was not feasible given the nature of the intervention; statistical analyses were conducted with group codes masked. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0), month 1 (T1), and month 3 (T2) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and SF-12 Health Survey.

Financial Support: The present study was supported by the Research Fund of Trakya University. Project No: 2025/19

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
• Patients confirmed diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy
• Patients not having any other illness besides diabetic polyneuropathy
• Patients not receiving treatment for diabetic polyneuropathy
• Patients with Multiple Sclerosis who volunteer to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes
• Multiple Sclerosis patients who do not volunteer to participate in the study