240 Habitual Sleep Changes Following COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract

IntroductionThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic emerges as one of the most impressive and strenuous events of the century, with unthinkably huge global effects. We aimed at analyzing if and how does the pandemic affect sleep and related behaviors.MethodsWe reviewed 48,047 nights recorded in the US with the Sleeprate application by 3,381 users during a period of 2 years, December 2018-November 2020. Nightly data included perceived and measured sleep parameters. In addition, users reported their perceived daytime stress and sleepiness. We analyzed the monthly variability of the studied parameters and compared their values during the COVID-19 period of March-November 2020 (CP) with those in the previous corresponding period in 2019, the pre-COVID-19 period (PCP).ResultsStarting March 2020, wake-up time (WUT) was significantly delayed relative to PCP. WUT in April 2020 was the latest (8:06AM±2:12hours, mean±SD, p<.000), being an hour later than in April 2019. This delay started to diminish in June 2020, reaching 7:27AM±2:10 hours by November 2020, which was not significantly higher than during PCP. Bedtime (BT) exhibited similar behavior, yet it returned to PCP times faster. Delayed BT and WUT on weekends were observed during CP as well as PCP. No consistent differences in sleep duration or sleep efficiency were detected between CP and PCP. Subjective sleep satisfaction was higher in CP relative to PCP. However, daytime sleepiness and daytime stress were also higher during most of CP compared to PCP.ConclusionOur data, based on digital in-app sleep diaries coupled with perceived sleep parameters, demonstrate the pandemic’s effects on sleep behavior in the US. Users in this study adapted to the new circumstances with delayed sleep schedule, while not reducing the sleep opportunity. The higher sleep satisfaction may be connected to later sleep schedules, allowing a wake-up time that fits better human biological clocks. The reported increased stress and sleepiness further portray the uncertainty and turbulence characterizing the pandemic’s effects on populations life during the pandemic. As good sleep is linked with immune response efficacy, higher quality of life, and improved mood, the importance of sleep must not be overlooked, especially during the pandemic.Support (if any):