Sleep quality, neurocognitive performance, and memory self-appraisal in middle-aged and older adults with memory complaints.

Prabha Siddarth,Karen Miller,Gary W Small,David Merrill,Rashi Ojha,Linda Ercoli,Kitikan Thana-Udom,Joseph M Dzierzewski

doi:10.1017/s1041610220003324

Abstract

Objective:Because of inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive function in people with age-related memory complaints, we examined how self-reports of sleep quality were related to multiple domains of both objective and subjective cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults.Design:A cross-sectional study involving analysis of baseline data, collected as part of a clinical trial.Measurements:Two hundred and three participants (mean age = 60.4 [6.5] years, 69.0% female) with mild memory complaints were asked to rate their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and their memory performance using the Memory Functioning Questionnaire (MFQ), which measures self-awareness of memory ability. Neurocognitive performance was evaluated using the Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Trail Making Test, Buschke Selective Reminding Test, and the Brief Visuospatial Test – Revised (BVMT-R).Results:Total PSQI scores were significantly associated with objective measures of sustained attention (CPT hit reaction time by block and standard error by block) and subjective memory loss (MFQ frequency and seriousness of forgetting). The PSQI components of (poorer) sleep quality and (greater) sleep disturbance were related to (worse) sustained attention scores while increased sleep latency and daytime sleepiness were associated with greater frequency and seriousness of forgetting.Conclusions:Sleep quality is related to both objective measures of sustained attention and self-awareness of memory decline. These findings suggest that interventions for improving sleep quality may contribute not only to improving the ability to focus on a particular task but also in reducing memory complaints in middle-aged and older adults.

Highlights

Considerable evidence indicates the benefits of sufficient and high-quality sleep for physical and mental health, including cognition
Sleep quality is related to both objective measures of sustained attention and self-awareness of memory decline
These findings suggest that interventions for improving sleep quality may contribute to improving the ability to focus on a particular task and in reducing memory complaints in middle-aged and older adults

Summary

Introduction

Considerable evidence indicates the benefits of sufficient and high-quality sleep for physical and mental health, including cognition. Some cross-sectional studies have not shown associations between subjective sleep quality and global cognition (Saint Martin et al, 2012) or any domains of cognition (Blackwell et al, 2011; Miyake et al, 2000), whereas other cross-sectional investigations have indicated an association between low-quality sleep and worsening of at least one component of cognitive performance, such as decline in processing speed (Bastien et al, 2003), decreased executive function (Nebes et al, 2009; Waters and Bucks, 2011), and impaired episodic memory (Tsapanou et al, 2017) Such inconsistencies may be attributed to differences in controlled variables, such as depressive symptoms, anxiety, or sleep medication use, or the inclusion of heterogeneous populations across studies, such as the inclusion of neurological and psychiatric comorbidities in participants (Bastien et al, 2003; Foley et al, 2003; Moore et al, 2001). A few studies have examined the link between sleep quality and subjective memory complaints (Gamaldo et al, 2019; Kang et al, 2017), and these have indicated a possible connection between poor sleep and memory dysfunction

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