Gunhild Nordbø Marthinsen

• Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø; Helseth, Sølvi; Småstuen, Milada Cvancarova; Bjorvatn, Bjørn & Fegran, Liv (2024). A comparison of sleep, insomnia and health‑related quality of life between mothers and fathers of preterm versus full‑born infants: a longitudinal study from Norway. Sleep Science and Practice (SSP). 8. doi: 10.1186/s41606-024-00103-w. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Poor sleep may negatively affect parents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This longitudinal study aimed to describe and compare sleep, insomnia and HRQoL in mothers and fathers of preterm and full-born infants, and to assess possible associations between sleep, insomnia, and HRQoL from birth up to 12 months in the total sample. Methods A longitudinal study of parents of preterm (n = 25 couples) and full-born (n = 76 couples) infants was conducted. To assess sleep, parents wore wrist actigraphs and filled out sleep diaries for 2 consecutive weeks before responding to a digital questionnaire regarding insomnia symptoms and HRQoL. Actigraphy and sleep diary data were collected at the infant age of 2 months, while questionnaire data on insomnia and HRQoL were collected at the infant ages of 2, 6, and 12 months. Statistical analyses included linear regression and linear mixed models for repeated measures. Results There were no statistically significant differences in total sleep time (actigraphy and sleep diary) between the parent groups (preterm and full-born) at 2 months postpartum. Sleep efficiency was significantly higher for the full-born group. All mothers reported significantly shorter total sleep time and lower sleep efficiency compared to fathers (all p < 0.01). In the whole sample, insomnia incidence at 2 months postpartum was high (> 43.5%), and for mothers, it remained high at 6 and 12 months (> 50%). No significant HRQoL differences were identified between the parent groups over time. Fathers in both groups reported significantly higher physical HRQoL levels compared to mothers (p = 0.04). There were no significant associations between total sleep time or sleep efficiency and HRQoL at 2 months postpartum. Insomnia symptoms were associated with reduced mental and physical HRQoL at all measurement points. Conclusions Sleep efficiency (actigraphy and sleep diary) was significantly higher for the full-born group compared to the preterm group. Mothers (both groups) experienced significantly shorter total sleep time and lower sleep efficiency compared to fathers. The incidences of insomnia symptoms were high at 2 months postpartum for the whole sample and remained high at follow-up for mothers. Fathers (both groups) reported higher physical HRQoL compared to mothers. Insomnia symptoms had a significantly negative impact on parents’ long-term HRQoL.

• Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø; Helseth, Sølvi; Småstuen, Milada Cvancarova; Bjorvatn, Bjørn; Bandlien, Signe Marie & Fegran, Liv (2022). Sleep patterns and psychosocial health of parents of preterm and full-born infants: a prospective, comparative, longitudinal feasibility study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 22(1). doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-04862-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: The early birth and hospitalization of a preterm infant in neonatal intensive care unit can produce several emotional and behavioural responses including sleep problems for parents. Few studies have explored sleep and its associations with health and HRQoL over time in this vulnerable parent population. This purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a prospective, comparative, longitudinal study of the sleep patterns and psychosocial health of preterm and full-born infants’ parents during the first postpartum year. Methods: A prospective, comparative, longitudinal feasibility study was conducted. Parents of preterm infants were compared to parents of full-born infants to identify if there were differences in outcomes between the groups. The parents were instructed to wear actigraphs and complete sleep diaries for two consecutive weeks, and responded to a digital questionnaire covering stress, insomnia, fatigue, depression, social support, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life. Survey data were collected at infant ages of 2, 6, and 12 months, actigraphy and sleep diary data were collected at infant age of 2 months only. Descriptive analysis was used to describe recruitment and attrition rates. Differences between completers and dropouts were analysed with a chi-square test (categorical data) and Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon test for two independent samples (continuous variables). Results: Between June 2019 and March 2020, 25 parents of a preterm infant and 78 parents of a full-born infant were recruited from four neonatal intensive care units and two maternity wards, respectively, in four Norwegian hospitals. Feasibility was predefined as recruiting ≥ 75 parents each of preterm and full-born infants. The target for the full-born group was reached. However, the preterm group recruitment was challenging. Actigraphs, sleep diaries, and questionnaires were evaluated as feasible for use in a future study. Attrition rates were high in both groups at 6 and 12 months. No parent-related characteristics were associated with participation at 6 months. At 12 months, dropouts had a statistically significantly lower age in the full-born group (both parents) and higher age and body mass index in the preterm group (fathers). Conclusions: A longitudinal study is feasible; however, procedural changes, including using active methods and contacting participants, are necessary to increase the recruitment of preterm infants’ parents.

• Haddeland, Kristine; Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø; Söderhamn, Ulrika; Flateland, Sylvi Monika & Moi, Ellen Benestad (2022). Experiences of using the ISBAR tool after an intervention: A focus group study among critical care nurses and anaesthesiologists. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing. ISSN 0964-3397. 70. doi: 10.1016/j.iccn.2021.103195. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective The ISBAR tool is a structured approach to communication between healthcare professionals and refers to Identity, Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. The objective of this study was to explore how critical care nurses and anaesthesiologists experience using the ISBAR tool in clinical practice. Design Three focus groups were conducted with a total of three anaesthesiologists and 14 critical care nurses from two hospitals in Norway after they had attended an intervention. Setting The intervention consisted of two days at a university, with a four-month interval between, attending resource lectures and simulation exercises focusing on the ISBAR tool. The focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically to understand the participants' experiences. Findings Three major themes emerged from the data: (1) predictability and security, (2) usability and (3) recommendations for further use. A feeling of predictability and security was identified through increased awareness of communication and professional roles. Usability included identifying appropriate situations to use the ISBAR tool in clinical practice, the importance of tailoring the use to each situation and some physicians were not interested in using it. Finally, recommendations for further use of the ISBAR tool were identified. Conclusion The findings highlight the importance and need to improve the use of the ISBAR tool to increase patient safety. It is essential that healthcare professionals work together to ensure that everybody has the same situational awareness and that good clinical handover practices are developed and maintained.

• Moi, Ellen Benestad; Söderhamn, Ulrika; Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø & Flateland, Sylvi Monika (2019). Verktøyet ISBAR fører til bevisst og strukturert kommunikasjon for helsepersonell. Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. 14((74699)(e-74699)). doi: 10.4220/Sykepleienf.2019.74699. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Bakgrunn: ISBAR er en pasientsikker kommunikasjonsstruktur som bidrar til forenklet, effektiv, strukturert og forventet kommunikasjon mellom helsepersonell. Det finnes ingen forskning på masterstudenters erfaringer med å anvende ISBAR i Norge. Tidligere har det blitt etterlyst utdanningsstrategier som sikrer at studenter trener på pasientsikker kommunikasjon. Hensikt: Å belyse spesialstudenters erfaringer med å bruke ISBAR som kommunikasjonsstruktur i klinisk praksis i et masterprogram i spesialsykepleie. Metode: Studien har et kvalitativt beskrivende design med tre fokusgruppeintervjuer. Vi foretok en kvalitativ innholdsanalyse. Resultat: Studentenes kommunikasjon ble mer bevisst, strukturert, oversiktlig og forutsigbar. De formidlet objektive, tydelige og konkrete observasjoner og endringer i stedet for synsinger. Studentene kom oftere med egne løsningsforslag og avklarte medisinske forordninger. Å bruke ISBAR førte til at de følte seg tryggere på sin egen kommunikasjon og kompetanse, ble bedre på teamarbeid og opplevde større pasientsikkerhet. Studentene hadde imidlertid utfordringer med å bruke ISBAR fordi denne kommunikasjonsstrukturen ikke var implementert. Konklusjon: Å anvende ISBAR gir økt bevissthet om egen strukturerte kommunikasjon og kompetanse samt bedre evne til å få raskere oversikt over pasientsituasjoner. Funnene kan synliggjøre betydningen av systematisk opplæring og simulering med ISBARstrukturen for å øke pasientsikkerheten, både i utdanningen av spesialsykepleiere og i spesialisthelsetjenesten.

• Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø; Helseth, Sølvi & Fegran, Liv (2018). Sleep and its relation to health in parents of preterm infants: a scoping review. BMC Pediatrics. 18(1), p. 352–352. doi: 10.1186/s12887-018-1320-7. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Sleep is essential for human health and functioning. Parents of preterm infants are susceptible to sleep disturbances because of stress related to the preterm birth. Poor sleep has the potential to affect parental health and well-being. The aim of this study was to identify and map evidence on sleep and its relationship to health in parents of preterm infants. No review has summarized the evidence on this topic. Methods: A scoping review was conducted. Seven health and medical electronic research databases were searched for relevant quantitative and qualitative primary studies, including grey literature. The search was performed March 2–7, 2017. Results: Ten American studies and one Australian study were included in the review. Most research was quantitative and focused on maternal sleep and mental health within the first two weeks after the childbirth. Both objective and subjective sleep measures were used to study sleep at the hospital; actigraphs were not used after discharge. Maternal sleep was poor early postpartum, and this was associated with negative health outcomes. Two cohort studies compared sleep in mothers of preterm and term infants, but the results were conflicting. In one qualitative study, fathers described their inability to catch up on sleep after homecoming with a preterm baby. Conclusions: Quantitative studies reporting on maternal sleep early postpartum was most frequently occurring in the results. Qualitative research on the topic was identified as a knowledge gap. More cultural and geographical breadth, including research on fathers’ sleep, is recommended in future research.

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• Moi, Ellen Benestad & Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø (2026). Sykepleierens magefølelse i vurdering av syke barn. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Sykepleieres magefølelse, eller kliniske intuisjon, spiller en viktig rolle i tidlig oppdagelse av forverring hos akutt kritisk syke barn, spesielt når systematiske verktøy ikke fanger opp subtile endringer. Denne intuitive kunnskapen bygger på erfaring og klinisk blikk, men kan være vanskelig å sette ord på og formidle. Psykologisk trygghet og et støttende arbeidsmiljø er avgjørende for at sykepleiere tør å uttrykke bekymring. Presis kommunikasjon, anerkjennelse av foreldres observasjoner og balanse mellom subjektive og objektive vurderinger er sentralt for å sikre god pasientbehandling.

• Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø (2025). Søvn i nyfødtperioden. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Foredraget belyste betydningen av søvn for både spedbarn og foreldre, og tok utgangspunkt i forskning om søvn, helse og livskvalitet i barseltiden. Marthinsen presenterte funn fra sin doktorgradsavhandling om søvn og helserelatert livskvalitet hos foreldre til premature og fullbårne barn. Resultatene viser at foreldre, særlig mødre til premature barn, kan være sårbare for søvnproblemer i tiden etter fødsel, og at god oppfølging og søvnstøtte er viktig for familiens helse og trivsel. Foredraget tok også for seg søvnens betydning for barns utvikling, trygg spedbarnssøvn og hvordan helsepersonell kan veilede foreldre i etablering av gode søvnvaner og søvnrutiner. Et sentralt budskap var at søvn er et grunnleggende behov som har stor betydning for både fysisk og psykisk helse hos hele familien.

• Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø; Johannessen, Berit; Robstad, Anja Nastasja; Gundersen, Ellen Dahl; Andresen, Gunvor Skutlaberg & Sundby, Aleksander Hayes (2025). Terapihunder sprer trøst og glede på barneavdelingen | Sykepleien. Sykepleien. ISSN 0802-9768. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Barneavdelingen ved Sørlandet sykehus bruker terapihunder for å gjøre sykehusoppholdet lettere for barna. Også foreldre og ansatte merker den positive effekten av hundene.

• Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø; Moi, Ellen Benestad & Haddeland, Kristine (2025). Barnesykepleiestudenter utvikler ikke-tekniske ferdigheter gjennom simulering. Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. p. 102507–102507. doi: 10.4220/sykepleiens.2025.102507. Full text in Research Archive
• Moi, Ellen Benestad; Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø & Robstad, Anja Nastasja (2025). Sykehusenes politikk tvinger sykepleierstudenter til å velge bort masteroppgaven. Full text in Research Archive
• Hagen, Milada & Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø (2021). Sleep and stress in parents of preterm and full-term infants. Preliminary results. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives of the study: To describe and compare sleep patterns in parents of pre-term (PT) and full-term (FT) infants, and study associations between perceived stress and sleep. Sleep patterns in mothers and fathers were also compared. Background: A preterm birth represents a traumatic event for parents, with risk of stress and/or poor sleep. There is a lack of studies assessing sleep patterns and associations with perceived stress in both parents. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study (2, 6 and 12 months) of parents of PT (n=25 couples) and FT (n= 76 couples) infants. Mean values obtained from 7 days with actigraphy (Actiware software ver. 6.0.9) and sleep diary were analysed. Perceived stress was assessed with perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ). Associations between PSQ and sleep were analysed with linear regression. Changes in stress pattern over time were analysed using mixed model for repeated measures. Results: There were no differences in perceived stress between PT and FT mothers, however PT fathers reported significantly lower stress levels compared to fathers of FT infants. When stratified by group (PT and FT), PT but not FT mothers reported more stress compared to their partners. When assessed with actigraphy at 2 months, there were no significant differences in sleep duration and sleep efficiency between PT and FT fathers, however, PT mothers reported lower sleep efficiency (p=0.05) but not shorter sleep duration compared to FT mothers. At 2 months, there was no correlation between sleep duration and PSQ, however, for mothers but not fathers there was a trend towards a negative correlation between PSQ and sleep efficiency in both groups (p=0.10). Conclusions: Sleep efficiency was significantly lower for PT mothers compared to FT mothers. PT mothers reported higher stress level than their partners. There was no difference in sleep duration between the parents (both PT and FT).

• Glasø, M.; Nordbø, Gunhild; Diep, Lien & Bøhmer, Thomas (2003). Reduced concentrations of ascorbic acid, thiaminedisphosphate, retinol and a-tocopherol in patients with mild to moderate DAT without vascular disease. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. ISSN 1279-7707. 7(4), p. 205–205. Full text in Research Archive
• Marthinsen, Gunhild Nordbø (2024). Sleep and Health-Related Quality of Life in Parents of Preterm and Full-Born Infants. Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 9788284271972. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: After childbirth, parents may experience sleep pattern changes, especially in the first few months. The newborn child may have an unpredictable circadian rhythm that affects the parents’ sleep, yet many experience new parenthood as a joyful period. In contrast, a premature birth can be experienced as a crisis for the family. The premature baby may need advanced medical treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit, and high stress levels can negatively affect the parents’ sleep. Sleep is important for mental and physical health; thus, sleep disturbances and poor sleep quality can lead to health problems and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for parents. There was sparse systematic knowledge about the sleep and health of parents of premature children at the start of this project. There was also limited knowledge about whether this group is more prone to having too little and poor sleep quality and reduced HRQoL compared to parents of full-born children. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to study sleep and the relationship between sleep and HRQOL in parents of preterm infants in the postpartum phase (the child is 2-12 months). Furthermore, the purpose was to compare sleep and HRQoL in mothers and fathers of preterm infants with mothers and fathers of full-born infants in the same time period. Design, sample and methods: The study was designed as a comparative longitudinal cohort study with three measurement points (2, 6 and 12 months after childbirth). Sleep and health-related outcomes from two parent groups (parents of preterm and full-born infants) were evaluated and compared prospectively. Parents were recruited from neonatal and maternity wards at several hospitals. To identify research needs related to sleep in parents of premature newborns, a systematic knowledge summary (scoping review) was first performed (2018). Regarding the longitudinal study, major challenges associated with recruiting and collecting data from parents of premature children became apparent. It was therefore decided to conduct a systematic analysis of the feasibility of a longitudinal study and publish the results, as this was considered to have a great value for future studies. Data collection in the longitudinal study was performed…

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