Influence Of Sleep Quality Research Articles

Effects of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts and Stretching Exercises on Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and various associated symptoms. Non-pharmacological interventions have gained attention for managing FMS and improving patient outcomes. We reviewed past research to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese martial arts (TCMA) and stretching training (ST) on symptoms of patients with FMS. We searched Web of Science, Medline via PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from their inceptions to June 1, 2023. Across selected studies, we evaluated TCMA and ST using Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores, pain symptoms, fatigue levels, and sleep quality as outcome measures. Compared with control groups, participants receiving TCMA and ST interventions showed significantly lower FIQ scores (Standard Mean Difference (SMD) = -3.01, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [-4.83,-1.19]), improved pain symptoms (SMD = -0.77, 95% CI [-1.07,-0.47]), less fatigue (SMD = 1.31, 95% CI [0.50,2.11]), and enhanced sleep quality (SMD = -0.55, 95% CI [-0.97,-0.12]). Subgroup analyses revealed that, irrespective of intervention duration, both TCMA and ST interventions were effective in relieving pain symptoms in these patients. ST interventions showed significant improvement in fatigue symptoms, while TCMA interventions positively influenced sleep quality. These findings highlight potential non-pharmalogical benefits of TCMA and ST interventions in managing FMS. However, future research should explore the optimal duration, frequency, intensity, and types of interventions for TCMA and ST and design targeted exercise intervention programs to study the effects of these interventions on different characteristics of FMS patients. Attention should be given to the effects of short-term interventions on improving fatigue symptoms, sleep quality, and pain relief, to provide more personalized and effective FMS treatment plans.

Does the volume of physical exercise influence sleep quality in patients with fibromyalgia?

To investigate the association between the volume of exercise and the quality of sleep in patients with fibromyalgia. This is a cross-sectional study carried out from 2010 to 2019 in patients over 18 years old from the research project at a university in Brazil. Instruments related to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, physical exercise, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were applied. Participants were classified as inactive, insufficiently active, or active. In the statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used. Binary logistic and multinomial regression were also performed. The majority of participants were physically inactive and had poor sleep quality; 68.3% with poor sleep quality were inactive. In the analysis of the difference between the three groups, sleep latency (time it takes to fall asleep) (p=0.00) and total PSQI (p=0.04) were significantly different. When the analysis was performed between active and inactive individuals, significant differences were found in sleep latency (p=0.02), daytime dysfunction (difficulties in performing daytime tasks due to poor sleep quality) (p=0.02), and the total PSQI (p=0.02). Binary logistic regression with crude analysis showed that inactive participants are 4.3 times more likely to have poor sleep quality when compared to active participants (odds ratio = 4.311; 95% confidence interval 1.338-13.888; p=0.014). Multinomial regression analysis showed that being physically active can be a protective factor. There is a high prevalence of sleep disorders and insufficient practice of physical exercise among patients with fibromyalgia. It is suggested that regular physical exercise may be related to sleep quality, and more active participants have fewer sleep disorders, with exercise being a protective factor.

Sensory processing sensitivity as a predictor of health-related quality of life outcomes via stress and sleep quality

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), linked to processing external and internal stimuli, has drawn attention to its associations with clinical factors, particularly with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) variables. This study examined the relationships among SPS, stress, sleep quality, and HRQOL, establishing an explanation model. Eight hundred adults (M = 26.66 years, SD = 12.24; range age: 18–85 years) completed self-administered questionnaires on SPS, stress, sleep quality, and HRQOL. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to analyze HRQOL pathways. Stress positively correlated with sleep quality disturbances (r = 0.442, p < 0.001), and SPS (r = 0.344, p < 0.001). Sleep quality disturbances were weakly positively associated with SPS (r = 0.242, p < 0.001). Weak negative correlations emerged between stress and physical (r = -0.283, p < 0.001) and mental (r = − 0.271, p < 0.001) health, HRQOL main dimensions. SEM results showed SPS positively influenced sleep quality disturbances (β = 0.242, p < 0.05) stress (β = 0.413, p < 0.001) while negatively affecting physical health (β = − 0.126, p < 0.001). Sleep quality disturbances negatively affected physical (β = − 0.168, p < 0.001), and mental (β = − 0.189 , p < 0.001) health, and stress on mental health (β = − 0.492, p < 0.01). Indirect effects between SPS and physical (β = -0.036, p < 0.001) and mental (β = − 0.091, p < 0.001) health through sleep were observed, as well as a mediation of stress between SPS and mental health (β = − 0.196, p < 0.001). SPS, sleep quality disturbances, and stress emerged as significant predictors of self-rated physical and mental health in adults.

Exploring the Effects of Coping Flexibility on Sleep Quality via Subjective Distress: A Longitudinal Study of Young Adults.

Coping flexibility is one's ability to modify their coping strategies and adapt to the demands of stressful situations. However, limited studies have demonstrated that coping flexibility directly influenced sleep quality. This study examined the relationships between coping flexibility, subjective distress, and sleep quality. We hypothesized that coping flexibility would enhance sleep quality via subjective distress. In total 99 male and 151 female college students completed questionnaires on coping flexibility, subjective distress, and sleep quality. Subsequently, they completed the questionnaire on sleep quality six months later. Structural equation modeling showed a significant indirect effect of coping flexibility, which indicated that higher coping flexibility was associated with higher sleep quality via reduced subjective distress. Our findings suggested that subjective distress and lower coping flexibility were risk factors for poor sleep quality.

Beyond Sleep: Investigating User Needs in Today’s Bedrooms

This study investigates the current use of bedrooms to fill a knowledge gap in the existing sleep studies literature by focusing on user preferences and their needs. Despite substantial research into the optimal physical conditions for sleep, there remains a gap in understanding how individuals use their bedrooms today. As an initial step to bridge this gap, we employed a mixed-method research approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative data results. A survey including multiple-choice and open-ended questionnaire items was undertaken in Australia with 304 participants. Our research findings indicate that ‘having a separate bedroom in a house’ is the most common arrangement. However, other arrangements, such as living in a bedsit or sharing a bedroom, are indicators of diverse bedroom conditions. In total, 70% of respondents stated that they would like to make changes to their bedrooms for physical, functional, comfort-based, and aesthetic reasons, with comfort ranked as the highest. The majority of respondents stating they would not make any modifications in their bedrooms were found to be owner-occupiers. Mattress quality and privacy emerged as the most significant factors impacting the respondents’ bedroom experience, and female participants were reported to place higher importance on cleanliness compared to male participants. Additionally, preferences for sleeping alone or with a partner were found to shift with age. Based on our findings, we suggest that survey-based sleep studies should evaluate the bedroom arrangements before the individual’s sleep habits. Further studies are needed to understand how privacy needs influence sleep quality. From a built environment viewpoint, this study emphasizes the need to develop bedroom design solutions tailored to optimize bedroom conditions, particularly for rental tenants who often have limited control over the physical conditions of their sleep environment.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Factors that Influence Sleep Quality among Indonesian Farmers

Background: Poor sleep quality is usually experienced by someone with quite heavy activities such as farmers who have to get up early to go to the fields, plants and harvest rice. This study aims to analyze mental health and psychosocial factors that influence the sleep quality of Indonesian farmers. Methods: This study uses analytic correlation with a cross-sectional approach. The sample of this research is 84 farmers from 107 populations. Sampling using the Simple Random Sampling technique. Retrieval of data using a questionnaire. The variables are age, gender, health status, medication, lifestyle, stress level and environment. Sleep quality data were obtained using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and data analysis using the chi-square statistical test . Result: The results showed that in the variables of health status (p = 0.000), environment ( p= 0.000), age (p= 0.002), drugs use (p = 0.006), stress level (p= 0.028), then gender (p= 0.8) and lifestyle (p= 0.063). So, it can be concluded that quality has the most influence, namely health status, environment, medicines, and stress levels. There is no relationship between gender and lifestyle with sleep quality. Conclusion:Farmers are expected to be able to control psychosocial factors that affect sleep quality, for health workers it is expected to be more effective in approaching health education counseling in the local area regarding maintaining sleep needs and psychosocial factors that can affect farmers' sleep quality.

When and what: A longitudinal study on the role of screen time and activities in adolescent sleep

ObjectivesPrevious research has highlighted a link between electronic media use and sleep outcomes, but the nuanced impacts of screen use at different time of day and activities on adolescent sleep are underexplored. Methods831 participants underwent online assessment three times with interval of three months regarding their screen time and activities at specific times of the day, daytime sleepiness was assessed with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and sleep outcomes were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index. The associations between time spent on various screen activities, and sleep outcomes were examined respectively after controlling for inter-individual differences using the Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model models and LMMs. ResultsThe RI_CLPM model revealed that both electronic screen time during daytime and after lights off in the evening in Wave1 negatively predicted the sleep quality in Wave2; the nighttime screen time before lights off in Wave1 significantly negatively predicted the seventy of insomnia in Wave2. Whereas no cross-lag and predictive effects of sleep outcomes on screen time were revealed. Moreover, daytime screen exposure, including T.V. watching and social media use, and nighttime music listening were negatively associated with sleep quality. Conversely, nighttime screen time of shopping and working/studying positively influenced sleep quality. Additionally, daytime screen time of T.V. viewing was positively associated with increased insomnia severity, whereas nighttime work/study-related screen time negatively affected insomnia severity. Nighttime screen time of music listening negatively predicted daytime sleepiness. ConclusionsThe current findings contributed to the existing literature suggesting that the effects of electronic screen time on sleep depended on both the time of day and type of screen activities.

Bifidobacterium longum 1714 improves sleep quality and aspects of well-being in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Stress and sleep are linked with overall well-being. Bifidobacterium longum 1714 has been shown to influence stress responses and modulate neural responses during social stress, and influence sleep quality during examination stress in healthy adults. Here, we explored the ability of this strain to alter sleep quality in adults using subjective and objective measures. Eighty-nine adults (18–45y) with impaired sleep quality assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and with a global score ≥ 5 were randomized to receive B. longum 1714 or placebo daily for eight weeks. Assessing the effect of the strain on PSQI global score was the primary objective. Secondary objectives assessed sleep quality and well-being subjectively and sleep parameters using actigraphy objectively. While PSQI global score improved in both groups, B. longum 1714 significantly improved the PSQI component of sleep quality (p < 0.05) and daytime dysfunction due to sleepiness (p < 0.05) after 4 weeks and social functioning (p < 0.05) and energy/vitality (p < 0.05) after 8 weeks, compared to placebo. No significant effect on actigraphy measures were observed. The 1714 strain had a mild effect on sleep, demonstrated by a faster improvement in sleep quality at week 4 compared to placebo, although overall improvements after 8 weeks were similar in both groups. B. longum 1714 improved social functioning and increased energy/vitality in line with previous work that showed the strain modulated neural activity which correlated with enhanced vitality/reduced mental fatigue (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04167475).

Lumbar spinal stenosis and surgical decompression affect sleep quality and position in patients. A prospective cross-sectional cohort study

IntroductionIt is reasonable to assume that lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) affects the cauda nerve roots also at night. Research questionDoes microsurgical decompression influence sleep quality and position? Materials and methodsA study nurse interviewed 140 patients scheduled for LSS decompression using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Spinal Stenosis Measure (SSM), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for back and leg pain, Douleur Neuropathique (DN4), and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Epidemiologic and MRI data were collected along with self-reported rankings of preferred sleep positions (prone, supine, side, and fetal). Follow-up interviews were conducted by telephone six and 18 months after discharge. Statistical analysis was performed using SSPS 24, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results132 patients (55% female, mean age 73 years) were evaluated. Preoperatively, 45 (34.1%) patients were classified as good sleepers (GS: PSQI ≤5, range 1–21 (worst)) and 87 (65.9%) as poor sleepers (PS: PSQI ≥6). Decompression surgery reversed the relationship between PS (31.8%) and GS (68.2%, recovered/improved). Protective fetal sleeping position was the most common (≥70%) before and after surgery for both PS and GS. Risk factors for PS included female sex (p = 0.03), obesity (p = 0.03), high NRS back pain score (p = 0.008), and high SSM symptom score (p = 0.004). MRI imaging did not differ between PS and GS. Discussion and conclusionLSS had a negative effect on sleep quality, whereas surgical decompression had a positive effect. The protective fetal sleeping position was the preferred position both before and after surgery.

Orthopaedic patients' experiences of their sleep during hospitalisation and suggestions for improvements

PurposeTo describe orthopaedic patients' perspectives on their sleep quality and their suggestions for improvement initiatives to achieve better sleep quality during hospitalisation. MethodsIn a qualitative design, 265 (50%) of 533 patients from a questionnaire survey responded to two free-text questions. Data were analysed based on a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach inspired by Paul Ricoeur's theory of narrative and interpretation. ResultsThree themes emerged: 1) Sleeping environment and preferences tailored to the individual patient, 2) The link between orthopaedic surgery care and sleeping, and 3) Noise challenged a good night’s sleep. Good sleep was related to nurses' professional behaviour and the physical environment, such as quality beds and sleeping aids. Single and shared rooms, room lighting, and fresh air all influenced sleep quality. Unfamiliar and uncomfortable sleeping positions posed a challenge for orthopaedic patients but aids such as pillows, and duvets could provide more comfort at night. Offset circadian rhythms could affect sleep quality, as could nausea and vomiting. Pain and lack of pain relief were associated with poor sleep quality. Noise from both nurses and other patients affected sleep quality. Therefore, unnecessary care activities should be kept to a minimum, and a “night noise level” was suggested. ConclusionPatients' sleep disturbance following orthopaedic surgery needs to be addressed by both nurses and hospital management. Patients’ involvement is essential to create a sleep environment tailored to individual needs and to provide strategies patients use at home for addressing sleeping problems.

Prevalence of Insomnia among Medical Staff during the Epidemic Prevention and Control: A Perspective on Health Behavior

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the sleep status of medical personnel in selected regions of China during the pandemic years of 2020 to 2022; we also considered their health behavior (HB). Methods: We used a random sampling method to select medical personnel for data collection in Shandong Province and its surrounding areas. For assessment instruments we used the General Situation Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Inventory (PSQI), Self-Assessment Scale for Anxiety (SAS), and Self-Assessment Scale for Depression (SDS). Results: A total of 621 medical personnel participated, with a mean PSQI score of 11.37±3.79. The overall detection rate of insomnia was 88.73%, with 16.79% indicating severe insomnia. The primary sleep disorder among medical staff was daytime dysfunction, followed by difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, and sleep efficiency. Various factors including age, education, position/title, abnormal menstruation, working age, income, night shift, and work intensity significantly influenced sleep quality. Advanced age, higher education, higher position/title, abnormal menstruation, working night shift, and higher work intensity emerged as risk factors; having longer working years was protective. Income was a compound factor affecting sleep. Conclusion: Increasing attention to the sleep situation of medical personnel is crucial, as these factors may impact their HB.

Light exposure behaviors predict mood, memory and sleep quality

Ample research has shown that light influences our emotions, cognition, and sleep quality. However, little work has examined whether different light exposure-related behaviors, such as daytime exposure to electric light and nighttime usage of gadgets, especially before sleep, influence sleep quality and cognition. Three-hundred-and-one Malaysian adults (MeanAge±SD = 28 ± 9) completed the Light Exposure Behavior Assessment tool that measured five light exposure behaviors. They also completed the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and single items assessing trouble in memory and concentration. A partial least square structural equation model, showing 72.72% predictive power, revealed that less use of wearable blue filters outdoors during the day and more within one hour before sleep predicted early peak time (direct effect = −0.25). Increased time spent outdoors predicted a positive affect (direct effect = 0.33) and a circadian phase advancement (direct effect: rising time = 0.14, peak time = 0.20, retiring time = 0.17). Increased use of mobile phone before sleep predicted a circadian phase delay (direct effect: retiring time = −0.25; rising time = −0.23; peak time = −0.22; morning affect = −0.12), reduced sleep quality (direct effect = 0.13), and increased trouble in memory and concentration (total effect = 0.20 and 0.23, respectively). Increased use of tunable, LED, or dawn-simulating electric light in the morning and daytime predicted a circadian phase advancement (direct effect: peak time = 0.15, morning affect = 0.14, retiring time = 0.15) and good sleep quality (direct effect = −0.16). The results provide valuable insights into developing a healthy light diet to promote health and wellness.

Assessment of Positive Airway Pressure Treatment Adherence and Sleep Quality in Sleep Apnea Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic: Multi-center Cross-sectional Study Results

Background: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), related to their disease consequences and treatment modalities, are physically and mentally vulnerable during the outbreak. Objectives: To investigate the association between pandemic-related changes and positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence and sleep quality in OSA patients. Methods: This was a multi-center cross-sectional study, and the necessary data were collected prospectively. A total of 221 patients were included in the study, who were invited from four different centers from June 1 - December 1, 2020. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was administered to evaluate sleep quality. Information on demographics positive airway pressure (PAP) device use, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a questionnaire collected related changes. Patients &gt;18 years with a diagnosis of OSA and prescribed PAP treatment before the pandemic period were included in the study. Lack of cooperation with the questionnaires and incompliant with PAP treatment for longer than one year were the exclusion criteria. Results: Of the 221 participants, 79.2% were men. The mean apnea-hypopnea index was obtained at 40.8±24.3. A positive COVID-19 test was reported in nine cases, and three patients had hospitalization. During the pandemic, 102 (46.2%) subjects were retired, 26 (11.8%) lost their jobs, and 34 (15.3%) reported home office work or on-call or on leave. Poor sleep quality was found in 54 (24.4%) individuals. It was also reported that poor sleep quality was more common in those who reported mask use difficulty (38.7% vs. 18.9%; P=0.004) and increased or decreased PAP use (increased, decreased, no change in PAP use: 45.5%, 36.0%, 19.4%, respectively; P=0.01). The good sleep quality group had higher PAP use than the poor sleep quality group (6.2±1.5 vs. 5.3±2.4 night/week; P=0.002; 6.2±1.5 vs. 5.5±2.2 hour/night; P=0.01). Conclusions: Pandemic period had several negative effects on sleep apnea patients regarding sleep quality and social lives which also influenced PAP adherence in OSA patients. Most patients did not change their regular PAP use attitudes during this period. Similar to the pre-COVID-19 disease period, PAP adherence and compliance positively influenced sleep quality; people who were "good sleepers" were the ones who were the "good PAP device users".

Patterns of childhood maltreatment influence sleep quality: The role of emotion regulation.

Childhood maltreatment exerts long-term consequences on sleep health, and different subtypes could constitute maltreatment patterns. However, how naturally occurring patterns of childhood maltreatment affect subsequent sleep quality and the underlying mechanisms remain relatively unclear, particularly in youths undergoing a transitional period and in the Chinese cultural context. In this study, we identified childhood maltreatment patterns and explored how these patterns predicted sleep problems through differential emotion regulation strategies. We tracked 1929 Chinese youths (M age = 18.49; 63.1% females) for one year. Three latent profiles were identified: low maltreatment exposure, high physical and emotional maltreatment, and high sexual abuse. Compared with "low maltreatment exposure," youths in "high physical and emotional maltreatment" used fewer cognitive reappraisal strategies, and those in "high sexual abuse" used more expressive suppression, and then leading to more sleep problems. This study reveals new insights into the patterns of childhood maltreatment in Chinese youths and implies that individuals exposed to sexual abuse or a combination of physical and emotional maltreatment experience sleep problems through the impairment of differential emotion regulation processes. It also highlights the necessity of setting differential targets on emotion regulation strategies for distinct groups of maltreatment and considering the co-occurrence of physical and emotional maltreatment.

Sleep Quality and Sleep Hygiene Behaviours Among University Students in Qatar.

Insomnia is a highly prevalent health problem, affecting about one-third of the adult population globally. University students are at a high risk for developing insomnia due to the stressful nature of academic life and often unhealthy sleeping habits. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of poor sleep quality and investigate sleep hygiene patterns among university students in Qatar. A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students using two validated instruments: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation and multivariate regression analyses. Two thousand and sixty-two students responded to the web-based survey. The mean PSQI score (7.57±3.03) was indicative of poor sleep quality in approximately 70% of the students. Similarly, the mean SHI score (21.79±6.69) was indicative of poor sleep hygiene patterns in 79% of the students. Academic program type, marital status, gender, and sleep hygiene significantly influenced sleep quality. After controlling for all possible covariates in the multiple regression analysis, sleep hygiene remained as the only factor significantly predicting sleep quality. Students with a good sleep hygiene were about four times more likely to have a good sleep quality compared to those with poor sleep hygiene (adjusted OR= 3.66, 95% CI= 2.8-4.8, p <0.001). Poor sleep quality and inadequate sleep hygiene practices were highly prevalent among university students in Qatar. Sleep hygiene was found to be the only significant predictor of sleep quality such that those adopting healthy sleep hygiene practices were more likely to have better sleep quality. Interventions to raise awareness on the effect of sleep hygiene on sleep quality among university students are needed.

Does parental phubbing aggravates adolescent sleep quality problems?

Based on the theoretical model for the "stress-sleep" relationship, this study investigated the impact of parental phubbing on adolescent sleep quality problems and a moderated mediation mechanism. A total of 781 adolescents was surveyed using the Chinese version of Parental Phubbing Scale, the Ultra-brief Screening Scale for Depression and Anxiety Scale, the Self-Control Questionnaire for Chinese children, and the Chinese version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale. Parental phubbing and negative emotions were significantly and positively correlated to sleep quality problems, but self-control was not correlated to sleep quality problems. Parental phubbing directly influenced sleep quality problems and also indirectly influenced sleep quality problems through the mediating effect of negative emotions. Moreover, self-control played a moderating role in the path of parental phubbing affecting negative emotions. That is, the effect was more significant for adolescents low in self-control relative to those high in self-control. Parental phubbing is a risk factor for adolescent sleep quality problems. This study is the first to demonstrate empirical evidence for the relationship between parental phubbing and sleep quality problems.

A short-term follow-up study on the relationship between early adolescent proactive/reactive aggression and sleep quality

Objective/backgroundSleep quality is closely related to aggressive behavior. Previous studies rarely focused on the relationship between proactive/reactive aggression and sleep quality through a person-centered approach. MethodsThe Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale and the Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire were used to assess 553 elementary and middle school students twice at 6-month intervals to better understand the relationship between proactive/reactive aggression and sleep quality in early adolescence. ResultsFindings revealed that (1) Sleep quality was positive longitudinally related to both proactive aggression and reactive aggression; Proactive aggression negatively influenced sleep quality, and reactive aggression did not influence sleep quality longitudinally. (2) The sleep quality of persistent non-aggressors and stopped aggressors was significantly better than that of persistent aggressors and new aggressors. ConclusionIn early adolescence, proactive aggression was mutually related to sleep quality. Therefore, future research should focus on the bidirectional association between aggression and sleep quality. In addition, we should improve the sleep quality for different types of aggressors and transformers, especially for new aggressors.

How emotions induced by reading influence sleep quality in young and older adults

Objectives This study examined whether emotions induced by reading before sleep influence sleep quality in young and older adults. Method Sixty older adults (64–75 years) and 60 young adults (18–35 years) were randomly assigned to three conditions: positive reading, neutral reading, and control. The reading groups read a short story at bedtime, whereas the control group kept its routine. Participants completed measures of affective states, subjective sleep parameters, and self-reported sleep quality related to emotions over 7 consecutive days. Results Older adults reported much longer sleep latency and lower sleep efficiency than young adults. In both reading conditions, older adults reported reduced sleep latencies compared to the control group. In the positive reading condition, older adults reported an increased sleep duration compared to younger adults and the other conditions. Young and older adults in the positive condition showed better self-reported sleep quality than those in the neutral conditions, regardless of age. Conclusions Reading at bedtime appears to reduce older adults’ time to fall asleep and increase their sleep duration. Positive emotions induced by reading short stories at bedtime seem to be a sleep-promoting factor that improves bedtime and wake time in young and older adults.

Effects of odors on sleep quality in 139 healthy participants

The present study aimed to systematically examine whether laurinal, orange odor, and a specifically designed “perfume” influence sleep quality. During sleep, healthy participants (n = 139) were presented with odor or no odor through nose clips for fourteen consecutive nights (phase one). We collected physiological parameters together with subjective reports. Later on, longer lasting effects of this manipulation were examined for the following fourteen nights (phase two) without exposition to odors. Additionally, olfactory, cognitive and non-cognitive measures were conducted before phase one, between both phases and after phase two. One-way analyses of variance for repeated measures with nights and condition (1 vs 2) as the within-subject factor and odor condition (0, 1, 2 or 3) together with odor pleasantness rating as between-subject factor, was employed to analyse data. Overall, the present results demonstrated that the odor condition in comparison to control had no consistent effect on sleep in healthy participants which can be possibly explained by exposure to odors via nose clips. However, the analyses indicated that the individual pleasantness of odors enhanced the positive assessment of sleep quality. Altogether, the present results indicate that the subjective perception of an odor’s hedonic value appears to be crucial for sleep quality, not the odors themselves.

Factors Associated with Poor Sleep among Young People in Mauritius: A Survey-Based Study

Background: Poor sleep quality in young people is a global concern. This study was conducted to explore sleep quality and its contributory factors in young people of Mauritius. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 202 participants aged between 14 to 29 years. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale (ASHS) were used to measure sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and sleep hygiene respectively. Chi-squared tests were conducted to evaluate relationships between the collected variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify associated factors with poor sleep quality. Results: The mean global PSQI was 4.81 (95%CI: 4.4, 5.22). Prevalence of poor sleep quality (global PSQI score &gt; 5) was 30.7%. The male gender reported better sleep (p=0.008). Sleep quality was significantly associated with longer sleep duration (p&lt;0.0001), pre-bedtime relaxing activities (p=0.01), and daytime physical exercise (p=0.001). In contrast, alcohol consumption after 18:00 (p&lt;0.0001), tobacco smoking after 18:00 (p&lt;0.0001), pre-bedtime awakening activities (p=0.001), and poor sleep environment (p&lt;0.0001) negatively influenced sleep quality. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that female gender and sleep environment factors were associated with higher likelihood of poor sleep quality, while participants with longer duration of sleep (&gt;7 hours), cognitive/emotional and sleep stability factors were found to be less likely to have poor sleep quality. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of poor sleep in young people in Mauritius was 30.7%. Female gender and sleep environment factors were main contributory factors. These initial results can guide further research on sleep quality