The effect of white noise on sleep quality and fatigue in community-dwelling older adults: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: With increasing global life expectancy, population aging has become a major public health issue. Poor sleep quality and fatigue are prevalent among older adults, negatively impacting their quality of life and daily functions. While pharmacological interventions for sleep disorders are common, they carry significant side effects, especially in the older individuals. Non-pharmacological alternatives like white noise are simple, safe, and cost-effective, yet evidence for their effectiveness among community-dwelling older adults remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of white noise on improving sleep quality and reducing fatigue among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This parallel RCT was conducted among 60 individuals 65 years and older attending healthcare centers in Mashhad, Iran. After the initial screening, eligible participants were randomly assigned into two groups. Both groups received standard sleep hygiene recommendations based on provincial guidelines. Additionally, the intervention group was provided with audio options and were instructions to use them over the next 30 consecutive nights. Constant follow-ups ensured adherence. Sleep quality and fatigue were measured using PSQI and IFS pre- and post-intervention. Group differences over time were examined using repeated measures and baseline adjusted analyses. Descriptive and inferential data analysis was performed using SPSS 27 at a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Post-intervention results show that there is a statistically significant difference between the two groups in both PSQI and IFS scores. Our results show significant improvement in the intervention group's PSQI (from 11.5 ± 2.8 to 9.2 ± 3.1, P < 0.001) and IFS scores (from 35.1 ± 3.5 to 32.4 ± 4.9, P < 0.001), with no significant changes in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the use of white noise can result in improving sleep quality and may be helpful in reducing fatigue in community-dwelling older adults and can be recommended as an low effort, low-cost and safe strategy to enhance sleep and reduce fatigue in older individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: (IRCT20240812062732N1), Date of registration August 28, 2024.