RT Journal Article T1 Intervention to improve quality of sleep of palliative patient carers in the community: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial. A1 Valero-Cantero, Inmaculada A1 Carrión-Velasco, Yolanda A1 Casals, Cristina A1 Martínez-Valero, Francisco Javier A1 Barón-López, Francisco Javier A1 Vázquez-Sánchez, María Ángeles K1 Accelerometry K1 Caregivers K1 Family caregiver K1 Home care K1 Music therapy K1 Nurses K1 Oncology nursing K1 Palliative Cancer K1 Palliative care K1 Sleep AB Sleep disorders are commonly experienced by community caregivers for persons with cancer, with at least 72% reporting moderate to severe disorders. A consequence of this condition, which is associated with the presence of overload in the caregiver, is the increased risk of clinical depression. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of music on the sleep quality achieved by informal caregivers for cancer patients receiving home palliative care. In addition, we will assess the influence of specific variables that could modify these effects, analyse the correlates related to nocturnal wakefulness and consider the diurnal consequences according to the sleep characteristics identified. This single-blind, multicentre, randomised clinical trial will focus on informal providers of care for cancer patients. Two samples of 40 caregivers will be recruited. The first, intervention, group will receive seven music-based sessions. The control group will be masked with seven sessions of therapeutic education (reinforcing previous sessions). Outcomes will be evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a triaxial accelerometer, EuroQol-5D-5L, the Caregiver Strain Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. The caregivers' satisfaction with the intervention performed will also be examined. This study is expected to extend our understanding of the efficacy of music therapy in enhancing the sleep quality of caregivers for patients receiving home palliative care. To our knowledge, no reliable scientific investigations of this subject have previously been undertaken. Music is believed to benefit certain aspects of sleep, but this has yet to be proven and, according to a Cochrane review, high-quality research in this field is necessary. One of the main strengths of our study, which heightens the quality of the randomised clinical trial design, is the objective assessment of physical activity by accelerometry and the use of both objective and subjective measures of sleep in caregivers. Music therapy for the caregivers addressed in this study is complementary, readily applicable, provokes no harmful side effects and may produce significant benefits. The IMECA study is registered at Clinical Trials.gov, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04491110 . Registered 29 July, 2020. SN 1472-6955 YR 2020 FD 2020-11-16 LK https://hdl.handle.net/10668/25734 UL https://hdl.handle.net/10668/25734 LA en DS RISalud RD Apr 13, 2025