Abstract
BACKGROUND: Caring for individuals with cognitive impairment is demanding and may impact caregiver well-being. This study examined whether caregiving burden is linked to alterations in circadian rhythm of spousal caregivers (SCGs), using both objective and subjective measures. METHODS: A total of 104 SCGs were enrolled, of which 54 wore Fitbit devices to collect objective data on sleep-wake cycles and circadian heart rate rhythm (CHR). Subjective sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between caregiving burden, as measured by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and circadian rhythm variables. RESULTS: Higher caregiving burden was related to lower goodness of fit (β = - 0.306, t = - 2.144, p = 0.037) and greater subjective sleep disturbance (β = 0.203, t = 2.021, p = 0.046). Although not statistically significant, a trend toward earlier awakening was observed as the caregiving burden increased, particularly in the SCG of individuals with dementia. No significant associations were found for other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Caregiving burden may negatively influence circadian health in SCGs, especially rhythm regularity. These findings suggest a potential connection between caregiving stress and some aspects of circadian function, emphasizing the need for further research on caregiver burden and circadian function.