Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire Research Articles

SLEEP QUALITY AND AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOR IN COMBATANTS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Introduction. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often characterized by various symptoms that result in behavioral changes in patients, among which sleep disturbances and avoidant behavior are commonly observed. However, despite evidence indicating a complex bilateral relationship between emotions and sleep, only few studies have explored the associations between sleep disturbances and avoidant behavior in the context of PTSD. The aim of the study is to assess the severity of avoidant behaviour and insomnia in combatants with posttraumatic stress disorder. Materials and methods. We conducted a clinical study of 45 combatants who were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n=24) included combatants with PTSD; group 2 (n=21) consisted of combatants without PTSD. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire was used to analyse sleep quality, namely subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, sleep medication use, and daily dysfunction. Avoidance behavior was measured using a multidimensional experience avoidance questionnaire. Results. We found that group 1 demonstrated worse subjective sleep quality (p=0.002), longer sleep latency (p<0.001), lower sleep efficiency (p=0.019) and more severe sleep disturbances (p<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of sleep duration, severity of sleeping pills use, and daily dysfunction. The overall severity of sleep quality disorders was higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (p<0.001). Avoidance behavior (p=0.007) and repression and denial (p<0.001) were more pronounced in group 1 compared to group 2. At the same time, group 1 had lower stress endurance (p<0.001). The overall level of experiental avoidance in group 1 was higher than in group 2 (p<0.001). Numerous associations between sleep quality characteristics and experiental avoidance were found as well. Conclusions. The study has revealed that combatants with PTSD have more pronounced manifestations of behavioural avoidance, repression and denial, as well as a lower level of stress endurance. At the same time, combatants with PTSD demonstrate a deterioration in the subjective quality of sleep, a decrease in its effectiveness and an increase in the severity of its disturbances. It has been found that avoidance behavior in combatants has numerous connections with the characteristics of sleep quality that may be suggested as a potential factor for improving psychotherapeutic interventions.

Investigating the Prevalence of Stress and its Relationship with Sleep Quality in University Students: A Study in Iran

Introduction: Students are willing to cut back on sleep in order to adapt and cope with their stressful work load and environment. This study examines the prevalence of stress and its relationship with sleep quality. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using available sampling of male and female students of the Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz in 2022. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire was used to measure sleep quality and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale Questionnaire was used to measure stress. Results: The prevalence of all levels of stress among students was 53.2% (140 people). 61 people (23.2%) experienced mild stress, 35 students (13.3%) experienced moderate stress, and 44 students (16.7%) experienced severe stress. The average score of Kessler's psychological distress (K10) of the participants was 21.9 ± 7.3 (maximum = 50). No significant relationship was observed between stress and gender (p=0.25) and academic year (p=0.72). There was a statistically significant relationship between sleep quality and stress (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study reports the high prevalence of stress and poor sleep quality in students of Ahvaz College of Nursing and Midwifery. This study shows a strong connection between sleep quality and stress.

Sleep Quality among Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Short Report


 
 
 
 Background and Objective: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, one of the vulnerable groups was pregnant women. This study aimed to determine sleep quality in pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy referred to Ibn Sina Health Center in Tabriz, Iran.
 Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study among third-trimester pregnant women in May 2021. To study sleeping habits, we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI), which had acceptable reliability and validity in Persian to evaluate sleep quality. Participants filled out the questionnaires with the help of healthcare providers in the health center.
 Results: A total of 176 pregnant women participated in this study. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of partici- pants’ age was 25.9 ± 1.2 years. This study showed that the mean of sleep quality in the third trimester was 9.97 ± 1.81 and the majority of pregnant women (87.79%) had poor sleep quality.
 Conclusion: The findings of the current study demonstrated that most pregnant women during COVID-19 had poor sleep quality. Finding ways to improve their sleep quality is important
 
 
 

Improved subjective sleep quality after three months of balance learning in older adults

Improved subjective sleep quality after three months of balance learning in older adults

The effect of cataract surgery on quality of life and sleep in geriatric patient group

Aim: Investigation of the effects of cataract surgery on quality of life and sleep in geriatric patient group Methods: Ninety four patients who were diagnosed with cataract and operated were included. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured with the Snellen chart. Cataract types were divided into 3 categories as nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular. The VFQ-25 (vision-related quality of life) questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire were administered to the patients before and after the surgery. Results: One hundred thirty-eight eyes of 94 patients were operated. 45.7% of the patients had nuclear, 16% had cortical, 38.3% had posterior subcapsular cataracts. VFQ 25 questionnaire scores increased from 70.70±3.46 (42-89) to 85.65±7.09 (70-97) postoperatively (p<0.001). While the preoperative Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score of the patients was 8.70±2.99 (2-17), it was 6.26±3.19 (1-17) postoperatively (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the increase in postoperative visual acuity (?) and the VFQ 25 questionnaire score increase (?) (r=0.891, p=0.000). ?VFQ 25 and ? PSQI values were higher in patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.199, p=0.808). ?VFQ 25 after posterior subcapsular cataract surgery was greater than nuclear and cortical type. ? PSQI values were similar in nuclear, posterior subcapsular and cortical cataracts. Conclusion: Geriatric patients with posterior subcapsular cataracts had a higher postoperative vision-dependent quality of life than patients with other cataract types. Cataract surgery has positive effects on sleep quality of geriatric patients, regardless of cataract type and laterality (bilateral/unilateral).

Assessing Neurobehavioral Alterations Among E-waste Recycling Workers in Hong Kong

BackgroundE-waste workers in Hong Kong are handling an unprecedented amount of e-waste, which contains various neurotoxic chemicals. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate the neurological health status of e-waste workers in Hong Kong. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of neurobehavioral alterations and to identify the vulnerable groups among Hong Kong e-waste workers. MethodsWe recruited 109 Hong Kong e-waste workers from June 2021 to September 2022. Participants completed standard questionnaires and wore a GENEActiv accelerometer for seven days. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Questionnaire 16/18 (Q16/18) were used to assess subjective neurobehavioral alterations. The GENEActiv data generated objective sleep and circadian rhythm variables. Workers were grouped based on job designation and entity type according to the presumed hazardous level. Unconditional logistic regression models measured the associations of occupational characteristics with neurobehavioral alterations after adjusting for confounders. ResultsWhile dismantlers/repairers and the workers in entities not funded by the government were more likely to suffer from neurotoxic symptoms in Q18 (adjusted odds ratio: 3.18 [1.18–9.39] and 2.77 [1.10–7.46], respectively), the workers from self-sustained recycling facilities also have poor performances in circadian rhythm. Results also showed that the dismantlers/repairers working in entities not funded by the government had the highest risk of neurotoxic symptoms compared to the lowest-risk group (i.e., workers in government-funded companies with other job designations). ConclusionThis timely and valuable study emphasizes the importance of improving the working conditions for high-risk e-waste workers, especially the dismantlers or repairers working in facilities not funded by the government.

CHRONOBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SLEEP DISORDERS UNDER ANXIETY DISORDERS

Modern research highlights the connection between the deterioration of sleep quality, sleep efficiency and daytime sleepiness with the disruption of the sleep-wake pattern due to circadian dysfunction. The aim of the study is to investigate the features of sleep disorders in patients with anxiety disorders of neurotic genesis, taking into account individual chronotype.
 91 patients, 48 women (52,7%) and 43 men (47,3%) with anxiety disorders of neurotic origin were examined at Regional Center of Psychiatric Care. The Horn-Ostberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire was used to determine the chronotype of participants. The study was also conducted using the Hamilton anxiety scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire, Insomnia severity index, Epworth sleepiness scale, and Fatigue severity scale. All patients, depending on the individual chronotype, were divided into 3 groups, representative by age and gender. The morning type group comprised 32 patients (35.2%), the intermediate type group consisted of 31 patients (34.1%), and the evening type group included 28 patients (30.7%).
 A significant difference has been established between groups of morning and evening type in terms of the total score of anxiety and its somatic component (p<0.05). There is no difference in the indicator of the mental component of anxiety. However, this indicator is higher in people with extreme evening type compared to extreme morning type (p=0.001). Differences in indicators of sleep disturbances have been found to depend on the individual chronotype. Representatives of the evening type compared to the intermediate and morning types have significantly higher indicators of sleep latency and daytime dysfunction according to PSQI, as well as daytime sleepiness and fatigue severity (p<0.001). People with an intermediate chronotype have better sleep duration (p<0.05) and lower insomnia severity index than people with a morning (p<0.05) and evening type (p<0.01).

Homeopathy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders in Covid-19

ABSTRACT The literature records the relevance of emotional and psychosocial status as triggering factors for sleep disorders and orofacial pain, including temporomandibular disorder. Homeopathy is a complementary treatment method for these conditions. SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that causes respiratory disease, COVID-19, identified in December 2019, in China the significant increase in changes in sleep and mood cycles as triggers of various forms of orofacial pain and bruxism, presented as oral-facial comorbidities resulting from the pandemic. The objective of this retrospective observational study was to analyze data from 129 records of patients seen between May 2020 and May 2021 diagnosed with Temporomandibular Disorder and seen at Clínica Núcleo Endo for dentistry and orofacial pain care. Methodology: Of these, 35 with a diagnosis of TMD and clinical follow-up by a Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire and questionnaire, received a prescription for the homeopathic medicine Chamomille 30CH (Matricaria chamomilla L.) drops at a dose of 5 drops daily to assess the effectiveness of the use of the drug in controlling pain and changes in sleep and mood, with and without the installation of the interocclusal plaque. Conclusion: Chamomilla 30 CH has been demonstrated to be effective as a treatment Complement the changes: Of pain, stress and anxiety and humor. Other clinical work are necessary for further elucidation About chamomilla's action mechanisms and its healing potential.

The impact of social support, physical and psychological performance on sleep outcomes in Iranian older adults: a case-control study

BackgroundSleep quality is one of the most important factors to improve the quality of life in older adults and physical and mental health plays an essential role in better sleep quality. This study aimed to determine the impact of social support, and physical and psychological performance on sleep outcomes in Iranian older adults.MethodsIn this case-control study, 400 elder people, who were exposed to sleep problems, and 400 people without sleep problems were randomly selected during 2016–2017 in Amirkola, Iran. Subjects in the case and control groups were matched in terms of gender and age. The demographic characteristics, Duke Social Support Questionnaire (DSSI), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), Activity of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI) questionnaires were used to collect data. T-test, Chi-square, Pearson Correlation coefficient, and multiple Logistic regression were used for data analysis.ResultsThe mean score of DSSI and its domains including social interaction (DSSI.Int) and social satisfaction (DSSI.Sat) were 28.15 ± 3.55, 9.31 ± 1.23, and 18.84 ± 2.88 in the case group and 28.87 ± 3.20, 9.48 ± 1.10, and 19.83 ± 2.44 in the control group, respectively. In this study, the mean scores of MMSE, PASE, ADL, and IADL were 25.36 ± 3.95, 101.71 ± 56.99, 13/97 ± 0.37, 20.59 ± 2/79; respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between poor sleep quality with DSSI score (rho = -0.165, P < 0.0001), DSSI.Int (rho = -0.113, P < 0.001), DSSI.Sat (rho = -0.160, P < 0.0001), PASE (rho=-0.160, P < 0.0001), and IADL (rho = -0.112, P < 0.001) score. Therefore, more social support and physical activity improved the quality of sleep. There was a significant negative relationship between DSSI, and its domains with sleep quality in terms of gender. DSSI (rho = 0.25, P < 0.0001), DSSI.Int (P < 0.0001, rho=-0.18), and DSSI.Sat (P < 0.0001, rho=-0.22) was significant in men but not in women. The results of the adjusted logistic regression revealed a significant association between sleep quality problems and DSSI (p < 0.045, OR = 1.40), the use of hypnotic drugs (p < 0.0001, OR = 7.56), and occupation (p <0.03, OR= 12.66).ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that low social support and all its domains, PASE, IADL, and using hypnotic drugs may play a role in the development of sleep problems. It can be used as an effective, safe, and low-cost strategy for promoting sleep quality in older adults.

Stress and sleep quality in medical students: a cross-sectional study from Vietnam.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant global social and economic disruptions, as well as changes in personal attitude and behavior. The purpose of this research is to assess the sleep quality and stress levels of medical students. Data was collected from medical students over the course of a month in 2021. A total of 4,677 students at the University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach were invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey, which included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire Index (PSQI) for measuring sleep quality and the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire (CSSQ) for evaluating stress. A total of 1,502 students participated in our survey. More than half of the participants exhibited poor quality of sleep as indicated by their PSQI score. Many students reported going to bed after midnight and spending time on their smartphones. Among the students surveyed, 21.84% experienced low levels of stress (CSSQ ≤6), 63.38% had mild stress (7 ≤ CSSQ score ≤ 14), 14.78% reported high levels of stress (CSSQ >14). This study showed a high prevalence of poor sleep quality in the surveyed students, which could be attributed to changes in their behavior following the COVID-19 outbreak. Mild stress was also frequently observed, and it may be related to sleep disorders in this population. These important findings provide valuable insights for making recommendations, including lifestyle modifications to improve sleep quality.

Association of Sleep Disorders with Pregnancy Outcomes During the Third Trimester

Background: Pregnancy is a significant cause of sleep disorders, leading to adverse effects on the health of the mother and fetus. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the association of sleep disorders with pregnancy outcomes during the third trimester. Methods: Following a descriptive-analytical approach, 100 pregnant women referring to the prenatal clinic of Mousavi Hospital of Zanjan City from April to September 2021 were recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire, filled by mothers, and a researcher-made checklist on pregnancy outcomes. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 24, and the significance level was considered at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 32.43 ± 4.6 years and, 46 (46%) participants were at the age of 36 years and older, 62 (62%) participants were nulligravid, and 65 (65%) participants were nulliparous. There was a significant association between study outcomes (low birth weight, intrauterine growth delay, preterm, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes) and sleep disorders (P-value = 0.001). Conclusions: It seems that sleep disorders result in adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, further studies are needed to extend our knowledge.

Impact of insomnia and its correction on quality of life of persons with disabilities

Aim. To study the effect of insomnia on the severity of the condition and on the quality of life in patients with disabilities.Materials and methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted from 2019 to 2022, in which 100 patients took part. Patients with acute cerebrovascular accident (ACV) were selected as a clinical model of persons with disabilities. Two groups were formed from the total number of patients included in the study. 50 patients with acute cerebrovascular accident and suffering from insomnia constituted the main group, which was divided into 2 subgroups by a simple choice according to the random sampling rule in the Statistica 12 program. MG1 – the main subgroup 1–26 people who received, as part of complex therapy, a course of short-term (five sessions) cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in combination with doxylamine at a dose of 15 mg 15–30 minutes before bedtime for 10 days. The second subgroup of the main group of patients (MG2) – 24 people who received only standard treatment. The comparison group (GS) (50 people) and a part (48 %) of the patients of the main group (24 people) also received only standard treatment for the underlying disease. All patients were assessed using the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Perrudet-Badoux, Mendelsohn, Chiche Subjective Wellbeing Scale (PSS), sleep quality questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire and the Insomnia Severity Scale).Results and conclusions. Against the background of the treatment in the main group 1, there was a reduction in insomnia, as well as an improvement in the quality of life on all scales of the quality of life questionnaire and more pronounced than in the comparison group and the main group 2. Thus, the correction of insomnia in addition to the basic therapy of post-stroke patients with limited opportunities allows you to achieve a more significant result of treatment than the use of only basic therapy for patients.

Effect of insomnia on severity of condition and quality of life of patients with disabilities

Aim. To study the effect of insomnia on the severity of the condition and quality of life in patients with disabilities.Materials and methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted from 2019 to 2022, in which 100 patients participated. As a clinical model of persons with disabilities, patients who suffered cerebrovascular accidents were selected. The patients were divided into two groups: the main group – 50 patients who had suffered acute cerebrovascular accident and suffered from insomnia, and the comparison group – 50 patients who had suffered acute cerebrovascular accident, without concomitant insomnia. All patients were examined by the Rankin Scale, sleep quality questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire and Insomnia Severity Scale) and the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire.Results and conclusions. The study made it possible to prove the influence of insomnia on the severity of patients' condition and their quality of life. This indicates the relevance of the detection and correction of sleep disorders in the complex treatment of patients with disabilities who have suffered acute cerebrovascular accident, which can increase the effectiveness of therapy for this category of patients.

Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on Sleep Quality in Family Members of Trauma Patients Admitted to The Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: The hospitalization of individuals who have experienced trauma has a significant impact on their family members' lives. Consequently, the objective of this study was to examine the influence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the sleep quality of family members whose loved ones were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study involved 120 participants (66 males and 54 females) who were first-degree relatives of trauma patients admitted to the ICU at 5th Azar Hospital in Gorgan. Within the first 24 hours of the trauma patient's admission to the ICU, one of their first-degree relatives completed the PCL-C questionnaire for assessing PTSD symptoms. If the participant obtained a score of 45 or higher on the PCL-C questionnaire, they were then requested to complete the Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 23 software. Results: The study found that the average score for PTSD among participants was 67.8 ± 5, indicating a high level of stress. The sleep quality score for family members of trauma patients upon hospitalization was 3.9 ± 1.8 (acceptable). However, one month later, their sleep quality significantly deteriorated to a score of 9.3 ± 2.5 (poor) (P &lt; 0.001). There was no significant association found between sleep quality and PTSD (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: The research findings indicate that the admission of a trauma patient to the ICU has a significant negative impact on the sleep quality of their family members. Although PTSD was prevalent among these individuals, it did not directly influence sleep quality. Nevertheless, addressing psychological issues and providing adequate psychological support are crucial for improving sleep quality and managing PTSD-related problems, especially for patients with severe complications.

Effect of Online Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Intervention on Sleep Quality of Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can negatively impact the quality of life and lead to symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Internet-delivered interventions may reduce these symptoms in patients with limited access to face-to-face psychological treatments. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of online mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention on the sleep quality of women with breast cancer in Birjand City. Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 62 eligible women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in Birjand were selected using convenience sampling. They were assigned to two groups, intervention, and control, each consisting of 31 individuals, using random allocation. In addition to standard treatments, the intervention group received online MBSR training consisting of four two-hour sessions over four consecutive weeks. The control group only received standard cancer treatments. The data collection tool included a demographic form and a standard Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire completed by individuals before, immediately, and 2 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 statistical software. The following tests were conducted at a significance level of P &lt; 0.05: Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Independent t, repeated-measures ANOVA, Bonferroni, Mann-Whitney U, and Friedman. Results: The mean sleep quality scores decreased immediately and 2 months after the intervention compared to before in the intervention group, while it increased in the control group (P &lt; 0.001). Also, the independent t-test showed that the mean sleep quality scores decreased in the intervention group from before to immediately after the intervention, as well as from before to 2 months later (P &gt; 0.001). In contrast, the control group patients experienced increased sleep quality scores (P &gt; 0.001). Conclusions: Mindfulness-based stress reduction significantly improved sleep quality in the intervention group, as demonstrated by decreased scores immediately and 2 months after the intervention. On the other hand, the control group experienced an increase in sleep quality scores. These findings highlight the effectiveness of MBSR in enhancing sleep outcomes.

Discomfort of pregnant women on the quality sleep of third trimester pregnant women

Background: Physical changes in the third trimester of pregnancy will appear due to physiological changes and psychological changes that cause discomfort. This uncomfortable condition causes sleep disturbances in the mother. Objective: To determine the relationship between discomfort in pregnancy and the quality of sleep of third trimester pregnant women at the Makasar Health Center. Method: This was a descriptive analytic study and a cross sectional study design. Determination of the number of samples using the sample size application resulted in 40 samples of pregnant women in the third trimester. The sampling technique used purposive sampling. When the study was conducted in September-November 2020. The research instrument used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality (PSQI) questionnaire with cronbach alpha 0.83 and the cronbach alpha 0.86 physical discomfort disorder questionnaire was tested for validity with r-count&gt; 0.367. Data were processed by crosstab and analyzed by Chi-square. Results: Most of the respondents experienced discomfort (66.7%) and experienced poor sleep quality (70.0%). The association between pregnancy discomfort and sleep quality of third trimester pregnant women with a p value of 0.030. Conclusion: There is a relationship between discomfort in pregnancy and the quality of sleep in the third trimester of pregnant women. Recommendation: From this research, it is hoped that it can be used as input for health workers, especially nursing, to provide education on how to reduce pregnancy discomfort and good sleep quality in third trimester pregnant women.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Investigating the relationship between sleep quality and stress, anxiety and depression in shift workers of one of the food industries

Introduction: Shift work among industrial workers can lead to poor sleep quality, which instead is associated with stress, anxiety, and depression. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and stress, anxiety, and depression in shift workers in one of the food industries.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: The participants in this descriptive-analytical study were 208 production line workers in one of the food industries. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI), and depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21). Spearman's statistical test was used to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and depression, anxiety, and stress. The data were analyzed using SPSS-23 software.&#x0D; Results: About 42% of workers reported undesirable sleep quality (score more than 5). Almost half of the workers reported a level of normal stress, anxiety, and depression. The results showed that there is a positive and significant correlation between sleep quality and stress (r=0.20, P&lt;0.01) and sleep quality and depression (r=0.172, P≤0.01) so that the quality of sleep, stress, and depression interact with each other and have a mutual effect.&#x0D; Conclusion: According to the results of this study, reducing stress and depression can improve the sleep quality of workers, and in turn, good sleep quality can lead to reducing stress and depression in shift workers. Therefore, identifying the influencing factors and corrective strategies to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression can play an important role in improving the sleep quality of shift workers.

ACTIVATION OF THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM IN PSYCHOTRAUMATED PERSONS USING THE KORPAN MASK

The article presents the results of using an innovative tool for stabilizing the autonomic nervous system in psychological practice - "Korpan's salt mask". The obtained scientific data are presented in the context of modern research on current global issues of humanity regarding gaps in the field of mental health. Purpose: to highlight the results of the study of the impact of the innovative tool "Korpan's mask" on the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system in people who suffered from psychotraumatic situations as a result of the war in Ukraine. Research methods: theoretical orientation: theoretical-methodological interdisciplinary analysis of scientific literature in order to determine the state of development of the problem; synthesis, generalization of research results; summarizing the research results; methods of empirical orientation: use of standardized psychodiagnostic methods: observation, conversation, questionnaire, formative experiment. The unified Ukrainian clinical protocol of primary, secondary and tertiary medical care according to ICD-10, diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders of the 5th edition of DSM-5 was also applied; "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire" (PSQI); "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale" (HADS); questionnaire "Diagnosis of PTSD"; methods of mathematical statistics: Wilcoxon's T-test. The results. The search for alternative effective models and tools of psychological assistance to people with post-traumatic stress disorders contributed to the application of Korpan's innovative mask, which is a simple, affordable, safe and reliable means of restoring the basic element of a person's stress resistance - its psychophysiological component. The authors present their own algorithm for providing primary psychological assistance to people who have experienced psychological trauma: psychophysiological stabilization of the autonomic nervous system by applying a Korpan mask, psychoeducation (explaining the cause of the symptoms to the victim); regulation of emotional balance (application of stress management practices), recovery of cognitive cognitive processes and acquisition of constructive coping strategies for mastering stress (methods of CBT, catathymic-imaginative psychotherapy); restoration of the meaning of life, which provides an opportunity to survive the crisis period of life. Conclusions. Through a scientific experiment, the effectiveness of using the Korpan salt mask was proven on a wide sample of subjects: military personnel (diagnosed with acute stress disorder, contusion, post-traumatic stress disorder), children with re-traumatic experiences, people who survived the occupation and live in the zone of constant shelling, internally displaced persons (who survived the loss of property and loved ones), volunteers (who were burnt out at work). The versatility of the mask is that it is effective for people of various age categories, gender, status, psychological diagnosis with post-stress symptoms.

Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Disorders After COVID-19 Infection.

Introduction As of December 2019, the COVID-19 infection had spread rapidly across the globe, causing a pandemic. Although the virus primarily affects the respiratory and circulatory systems, neuropsychiatric disorders have been reported in a significant number of infected individuals. The aim of this study is to identify anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in the early post-COVID period, as well as potential risk factors. Method Symptomatic cases whose COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity within the previous three months were evaluated in the COVID-19 follow-up clinic, where they were observed for at least four weeks after the diagnosis. Cases with no suspicious symptoms and no documented PCR positivity were selected as the control group. All participants completed the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire and the Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire. The laboratory parameters of hospitalized patients with infection were recorded. Results A total of 283 patients were included in the study. While the median age of 144 patients with COVID-19 infection was 44 years, and 104 of them (72.2%) were female, the median age of the controls without COVID-19 infection was 52 years, and 65 of them (46.8%) were female. About 89 (61.8%) of the 144 patients with COVID-19 infections were hospitalized. When the results of the applied HADS questionnaire were analyzed, the median total value of all study participants was 10 points, whereas it was 13 in cases with COVID-19 and nine in those who did not have it (p<0.001). Taking into account the subgroups of the anxiety and depression questionnaires, both results are statistically significantly higher (p<0.001 and p=0.022, respectively) in post-COVID patients. When the hospitalization status of COVID-19 patients was compared, there was no difference in the development of anxiety (p=0.23), but depression(p<0.024) and poor sleep quality(p<0.001) were prevalent in hospitalized patients. The median PSQI score of the entire study population was five points, while it was seven points in cases with COVID-19 infection and four points in cases who did nothave it (p<0.001). Sleep latency (p<0.003), sleep disturbances (p<0.001), and daytime dysfunction (p<0.001) were statistically significantly worse in COVID-19-infected patients. Female gender (p<0.01) and the presence of past anxiety-depression symptoms (p<0.013) were found to be as risk factors in patients with infection. The correlation between the total HADS score, the PSQI, and the results of the complete blood count and biochemical analysis at the time of diagnosis in hospitalized patients was also investigated. CRP (CI 0.26-0.58) p<0.001 vs (CI 0.09-0.45) p=0.004 and ferritin (CI 0.05-0.43) p=0.017 vs (CI 0.01-0.40) p=0.047exhibited a positive correlation. Similarly, lymphocyte count (CI -0.65 to -0.37) p<0.001 vs (CI -0.39 to -0.01) p<0.001 and lymphocyte percentage (-0.57 to -0.24) p=0.001 vs (-0.65 to -0.37) p=0.039 were negatively correlated. Conclusion Early post-infection anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances increased significantly in COVID-19 patients. Female gender and previous symptoms of anxiety and depression are risk factors, and inpatient treatment increases depression and poor sleep quality. High HADS and poor sleep quality scores are positively correlated with inflammatory parameters and should be evaluated in post-infection in particular.

The Relationship between Knowledge, Dietary Supplementation, and Sleep Quality in Young Adults after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Sleep is one of the most important factors affecting the quality of life. More than 50% of Polish adults have sleeping disorders, and young adults are the ones particularly vulnerable to this. This is why the analysis of the predictors of sleep quality, such as sleep hygiene knowledge and dietary knowledge, in young adults is a very important topic, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have affected sleeping habits. 402 young adults (mean age 28.12 ± 6.08 years old) were enrolled in the study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire, while dietary knowledge and sleep hygiene knowledge were assessed with dedicated questionnaires. The participants were also asked about the use of specific dietary supplements. The analysis showed that sleep hygiene knowledge was significantly associated with sleep length (R = -0.17, p = 0.003) and overall sleep quality (R = -0.17, p = 0.005), while dietary knowledge significantly correlated with time to fall asleep (R = -0.12, p = 0.026). The regression analysis revealed that sleep hygiene knowledge was a significant negative predictor of sleep quality impairment (β = -0.13, p = 0.028). Significant results were also obtained for the use of supplements (β = -0.20; p = 0.001) and the use of medications (β = -0.32, p = 0.001), which were negative predictors of sleep quality impairment. This study showed that increased sleep hygiene knowledge promoted improved sleep length and overall sleep quality. In addition, dietary knowledge significantly correlated with time to fall asleep. On the other hand, decreased sleep quality was observed in participants who used medications or dietary supplements.