0670 Move, Breathe, Think: How Activity and Sleep-Disordered Breathing Shape Caregiver Well-Being

Abstract Introduction Exceeding 5 sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) events/hour at night is associated with higher risks of cardiometabolic diseases, cognitive decline, and disability. SDB is also positively associated with stress, with more events triggering a stress response. Physical activity (PA) reduces the adverse effects of stress and the likelihood of cardiometabolic conditions, thereby improving sleep. Dementia caregivers (CGs) face a higher risk of poor health outcomes. CG stress, combined with limited opportunities for PA, increases CGs’ vulnerability to sleep and health problems. We examined whether sedentary lifestyle is associated with aspects of health regardless of SDB events and whether association is strongest in CGs with >5 SDB events/hour. Methods CGs (N=52; Mage=56, F=75.8%) with insomnia in an RCT (R01AG066081, NCT04896775) reported at baseline weekly PA (Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time questionnaire) and sleep onset latency (SOL; averaged over 7 days). They completed 1-night WatchPAT One home sleep testing, daily attention task (Joggle PVT lapses; averaged over 7 days), general/physical functioning questionnaire (36-Item Short Form Health Survey, SF-36), and reported health conditions (history of heart attacks/surgeries/diseases, major/minor stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and GI problems aggregated to create a multimodality index). Two-way MANOVA evaluated the effects of the predictors [RDI (>5 vs < 5 SDB events/hr), PA (strenuous, moderate, sedentary), RDI X PA] on the outcomes (SOL, attention, general & physical health, multimorbidity index). Results Predictor groups differed across the combined outcomes individually (PA, F(12, 82)=2.564, p=0.006, Wilks’ Λ=0.529, partial η2=0.273; RDI F(4, 41)=3.965, p=0.003, Wilks’ Λ=0.633, partial η2=0.367), and interactively (F(12, 82)=2.574, p=0.007, Wilks’ Λ=0.528, partial η2=0.274). Pairwise comparisons revealed CGs with < 5 RDI and sedentary PA reported poorer general health than those with moderate PA. Additionally, CGs with < 5 RDI and sedentary PA reported higher stress levels than those with strenuous PA. Lastly, CGs with >5 RDI and sedentary PA reported greater difficulties with attention compared to those engaging in moderate PA. Conclusion For caregivers, sedentary lifestyle is adversely associated with stress and cognition, regardless of sleep-disordered breathing presence. Research approaches targeting multiple mechanistic pathways are necessary to address the complex psychosocial factors impacting caregivers' well-being, with an emphasis on preventing health condition onset. Support (if any)