Sleep Health Research Articles

Maternal Sleep Health, Social Support, and Distress: A Mixed–Methods Analysis of Mothers of Infants and Young Children in Rural US

ABSTRACT Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore sleep health in rural maternal populations through a social-ecological framework and identify risk and protective factors for this population. Methods 39 individuals who are mothers of infants or children under the age of 5 years completed an online survey, 35 of which completed a subsequent semi-structured interview. Recruitment was limited to one rural community and was in partnership with community healthcare providers. Results were integrated using a convergent, parallel mixed-methods design. Results Poor sleep health and high prevalence of insomnia symptoms in rural mothers were evident and associated with social support and maternal distress. Qualitative content from interviews indicated that well-established precipitating and perpetuating factors for insomnia may contribute to poor maternal sleep health. Results also revealed a gap in knowledge and language surrounding sleep health among rural mothers. Conclusions Sleep health is challenged during the transition to motherhood and rural mothers have less access to specialized perinatal and behavioral health care than their urban counterparts. In this sample, poor sleep was attributable to distress in addition to nocturnal infant and child sleep patterns which has implications for psychoeducation and promotion of sleep health in mothers. Sleep is a modifiable health indicator that is associated with several other maternal health outcomes and should be considered an element of a comprehensive maternal health for prevention and intervention across individual, interpersonal, and societal domains of the social-ecological model of sleep health.

Day-to-day associations of intersectional minority stressors with sleep health in sexual and gender minority people of color.

To determine the day-to-day associations between minority stressors (i.e., anticipated and experienced discrimination) and sleep health outcomes (i.e., total sleep time (TST), sleep disturbances, and sleep-related impairment) among sexual and gender minority (SGM) people of color. An online sample of SGM people of color living in the United States participated in a 30-day daily diary study. Daily anticipated and experienced discrimination as well as subjective sleep outcomes were assessed via electronic diaries using validated measures. Wrist-worn actigraphy was used to objectively assess TST. Multilevel linear models (MLMs) were used to estimate the independent associations of daily intersectional minority stressors with subsequent sleep outcomes, adjusted for demographic factors and lifetime discrimination. The sample included 43 SGM people of color with a mean age of 27.0 years (± 7.7) of which 84% were Latinx, 47% were multiracial, and 37% were bisexual. Results of MLMs indicated that greater report of daily experienced discrimination was positively associated with same-night sleep disturbances, B (SE) = 0.45 (0.10), p < .001. Daily anticipated discrimination was positively associated with sleep-related impairment on the following day, B (SE) = 0.77 (0.17), p < .001. However, daily anticipated and experienced discrimination were not associated with same-night TST. Findings highlight the importance of considering the differential effects of daily intersectional minority stressors on the sleep health of SGM people of color. Further research is needed to identify factors driving the link between daily minority stressors and sleep outcomes to inform sleep health interventions tailored to this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Sleep medicine in the Kyrgyz Republic: past, present and future.

As in many other low and middle income countries (LMICs) around the world, sleep disorders in the Kyrgyz Republic remain mostly undiagnosed and untreated. This article aims to describe the current state of practice of sleep medicine in the Kyrgyz Republic from the perspective of local and international healthcare workers who are active in the field and to propose a strategy to challenge the status quo. After interviewing local primary care and specialist doctors, we identified 3 major barriers to the practice of sleep medicine in the Kyrgyz Republic and namely education and training, financial constraints and infrastructure and equipment. We then propose a multistep strategy to improve the current situation based on 3 pillars: knowledge sharing, implementation research activities and policy changes. We conclude that despite being at its early days and facing major challenges, sleep health in the Kyrgyz Republic is being recognized as a priority by healthcare workers in the field and now requires attention at local and government level. Also, north-south academic partnerships represent an effective tool for knowledge sharing and should be further incentivized.

Sleep and Circadian Health of Critical Survivors: A 12-Month Follow-Up Study.

To investigate the sleep and circadian health of critical survivors 12 months after hospital discharge and to evaluate a possible effect of the severity of the disease within this context. Observational, prospective study. Single-center study. Two hundred sixty patients admitted to the ICU due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. None. The cohort was composed of 260 patients (69.2% males), with a median (quartile 1-quartile 3) age of 61.5 years (52.0-67.0 yr). The median length of ICU stay was 11.0 days (6.00-21.8 d), where 56.2% of the patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) revealed that 43.1% of the cohort presented poor sleep quality 12 months after hospital discharge. Actigraphy data indicated an influence of the disease severity on the fragmentation of the circadian rest-activity rhythm at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, which was no longer significant in the long term. Still, the length of the ICU stay and the duration of IMV predicted a higher fragmentation of the rhythm at the 12-month follow-up with effect sizes (95% CI) of 0.248 (0.078-0.418) and 0.182 (0.005-0.359), respectively. Relevant associations between the PSQI and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (rho = 0.55, anxiety; rho = 0.5, depression) as well as between the fragmentation of the rhythm and the diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (rho = -0.35) were observed at this time point. Our findings reveal a great prevalence of critical survivors presenting poor sleep quality 12 months after hospital discharge. Actigraphy data indicated the persistence of circadian alterations and a possible impact of the disease severity on the fragmentation of the circadian rest-activity rhythm, which was attenuated at the 12-month follow-up. This altogether highlights the relevance of considering the sleep and circadian health of critical survivors in the long term.

The International Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Sleep Medicine of the Universities of Bern and Svizzera Italiana

Introduction: Sleep–wake circadian disorders (SWCDs) are very frequent and linked to major negative effects on the body, mental health, the brain, and on occupational and societal health. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of SWCDs and the promotion of sleep health require the sufficient education of general practitioners, specialists, and other health professionals. Unfortunately, education at pre- and postgraduate level is insufficient in most countries across the world. Aims and methods: This article describes the historical context, basic considerations, and methodological approach for the creation of the International Postgraduate Sleep Master by the University of Bern and Svizzera Italiana. Results: The postgraduate Master, which was launched in 2017, is a part-time, flexible course, taken over 2 ½ years, which targets health professionals, scientists, and technicians. After an initial introduction, which is the same for everybody (“common trunk”), the course can be individualized. The 12 modules of the Master include online lectures, schools, internships in a sleep center (in one of our 15 partner universities), case discussions and interactive sessions with students and internationally recognized experts from over 20 countries across the world, and culminates with a Master thesis. The program covers sleep–wake circadian biology; the management of SWCDs; disturbances of consciousness and sleep-related epilepsies; novel approaches in sleep medicine (e.g., clinical trials, telemedicine, data science, artificial intelligence); and topics of increasing relevance (e.g., neurodegenerative disorders, gender and diversity, sleep health, new technologies, artificial intelligence, professional and societal implications). Students are encouraged to also take “crash courses” in preparation for the national, European, and World sleep examinations. Conclusion: The Postgraduate University Sleep Master of the Universities of Bern and Svizzera Italiana offers a unique part-time, (mainly) virtual opportunity to acquire state-of the art knowledge, skills, and professional experiences to prepare for a clinical or scientific career in sleep medicine for physicians, scientists, and other health professionals.

Time for a unified federal sleep health care workforce?

Time for a unified federal sleep health care workforce?

Prevalence and correlates of sleep disturbance among adolescents in the eastern seaboard of China

BackgroundSleep disturbances are serious public health issues that warrant increased attention, especially in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with sleep disorders among urban adolescents in China.MethodsThis study utilized an online survey to assess the demographic characteristics and mental health status of secondary school students in Lianyungang City. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate sleep disturbances in adolescents. The seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) assessed anxiety symptoms, and the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) was used to measure perceived social support.ResultsAmong 3443 adolescents, the prevalence of sleep disorders were 10.8%, with significantly higher proportions of sleep disorders (13.7% VS 8.3%, P < 0.001) among female adolescents when compared to males. Binary regression analysis revealed that anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.305, 95% CI: 1.269–1.342, P < 0.001) was risk factor for sleep disturbances, and significant other support (OR = 0.944, 95% CI: 0.896–0.994, P = 0.028) and good annual household income (OR = 0.616, 95% CI: 0.394–0.963, P = 0.034) were protective factors. Furthermore, multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, and anxiety symptoms were associated with an elevated risk of experiencing more frequent sleep disturbances (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsWe have found that 10.8% of adolescents experience sleep disorders, and it is evident that various factors can influence healthy sleeping. These results underscore the significance of addressing these factors to enhance sleep health among this population.

The Cyclical Battle of Insomnia and Mental Health Impairment in Firefighters: A Narrative Review

The occupational requirements of full-time non-administrative firefighters include shift-work schedules and chronic exposure to alerting emergency alarms, hazardous working conditions, and psychologically traumatic events that they must attend and respond to. These compiling and enduring aspects of the career increase the firefighter’s risk for insomnia and mental health conditions compared to the general population. Poor sleep quality and mental health impairments are known to coincide with and contribute to the symptom severity of one another. Thus, it is important to determine approaches that may improve sleep and/or mental health specifically for firefighters, as their occupation varies in many aspects from any other occupation. This review will discuss symptoms of insomnia and mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicide in firefighters. The influencing factors of sleep and mental health will be examined including anxiety sensitivity, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. Current sleep and mental health interventions specific to full-time firefighters are limited in number; however, the existing experimental studies will be outlined. Lastly, this review will provide support for exploring exercise as a possible intervention that may benefit the sleep and mental health of this population.

Co-design personal sleep health technology for and with university students

University students often experience sleep disturbances and disorders. Personal digital technologies present a great opportunity for sleep health promotion targeting this population. However, studies that engage university students in designing and implementing digital sleep health technologies are scarce. This study sought to understand how we could build digital sleep health technologies that meet the needs of university students through a co-design process. We conducted three co-design workshops with 51 university students to identify design opportunities and to generate features for sleep health apps through workshop activities. The generated ideas were organized using the stage-based model of self-tracking so that our findings could be well-situated within the context of personal health informatics. Our findings contribute new design opportunities for sleep health technologies targeting university students along the dimensions of sleep environment optimization, online community, gamification, generative AI, materializing sleep with learning, and personalization.

Sleep duration and association with cardiometabolic health in adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes: Results from the BCQR-T1D study.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, and insufficient sleep is prevalent. Emerging evidence suggests a link between sleep and cardiometabolic health, but this has not been examined across the lifespan in individuals with T1D. We aimed to examine associations between sleep and cardiometabolic health in adolescents and adults with T1D in a secondary analysis of data from a 4-week double-blind, random-order, placebo-controlled crossover trial of bromocriptine quick release (BCQR) therapy with a 4-week washout in between conditions. Forty-two adults (19-60 years) and 42 adolescents (12-18 years) with T1D >9 months completed 1 week of home monitoring with wrist-worn actigraphy to estimate sleep duration and continuous glucose monitoring, anthropometrics, arterial stiffness, magnetic resonance imaging (adolescents only), and fasting laboratory testing at each treatment phase. Sixty-two per cent of adolescents and 74% of adults obtained <7 h of sleep per night at baseline. After adjustment for age, sex and diabetes duration, baseline sleep <7 h per night was associated with a higher body mass index, a higher waist circumference, a higher systolic blood pressure, worse arterial stiffness and a lower estimated insulin sensitivity (all p < .05). When examined by age group, associations between sleep duration and cardiometabolic health outcomes remained significant, predominantly for adolescents. In adolescents only, wake time was significantly later (p = .027) and time in bed was significantly longer with BCQR versus placebo (p = .049). Objectively measured sleep <7 h per night was prevalent in adolescents and adults with T1D and associated with poorer cardiometabolic health markers. Small changes in sleep were seen following BCQR treatment in adolescents only. Sleep may be an important and novel target for improving cardiometabolic health in individuals with T1D.

Supplemental Material for Day-to-Day Associations of Intersectional Minority Stressors With Sleep Health in Sexual and Gender Minority People of Color

Supplemental Material for Day-to-Day Associations of Intersectional Minority Stressors With Sleep Health in Sexual and Gender Minority People of Color

Poor Self-Rated Sleep Quality and Quantity Associated with Poor Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Indigenous Australian Adults

Background: Indigenous Australians score worse on both sleep and oral health. This study aimed to evaluate sleep quality and quantity associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among Indigenous Australian adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 728 Indigenous Australian adults aged 18+ years was conducted. Exposure variables were sleep quality and quantity. The primary outcome variable was Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP14), which has been used to assess OHRQoL. Multivariable log–Poisson regression models were applied to estimate the mean ratios (MRs) for mean OHIP14 scores. Results: The average OHIP14 score was 14.9, and the average amount of sleep was 6.8 h/night. After adjusting for all covariates, self-rated very bad sleep quality was associated with 2.2 times (MR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.97–2.37) higher OHIP14 scores than those who rated their sleep quality as very good. Participants who self-reported sleeping 7–8 h/night had 0.9 times (MR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.83–0.95) lower OHIP14 scores than those sleeping more than 8 h. Conclusions: The average number of sleep hours for Indigenous participants were lower than recommended (7–8 h/night). Our findings indicate that poor sleep quality and quantity, and oral health-related behaviours associated with sleep deprivation were positively associated with poor oral health related quality of life among Indigenous Australian adults.

The effect of Sleep Leadership Training on U.S. Army human performance team members

Most U.S. Servicemembers (SMs) get less than the recommended amount of sleep per night, which has been shown to be directly influenced by local leadership. Previous research demonstrated that a brief sleep leadership training (SLT) protocol resulted in improved knowledge and attitudes regarding sleep among U.S. Army leaders, and improvements in the sleep health of their SMs. Human Performance Teams (HPT) offer one solution to propel the cultural change related to sleep, however, little is known about HPT members' own sleep related knowledge, practices, attitudes, and beliefs. This mixed-methods study determined the effect of (SLT) on the sleep-related knowledge, practices, attitudes, beliefs, and perceived competency of HPT members, explored their experiences addressing SM sleep, and gauged their perceived value in receiving the training. Thirty-one individuals received 2 days of SLT. Baseline and 6-week post training follow-up measures were collected, and participants were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews to explore their unique experiences addressing sleep, as well as their perceived value in receiving SLT. Training had no significant effects on HPT members' sleep practices or sleep beliefs, some significant effects on their attitudes and knowledge about sleep, and significant effects on their perceived competence to address sleep in their units. Results suggest that HPT members benefited from the training through enhancement of their competence to address sleep with leadership. However, they struggle to obtain sufficient sleep themselves. More research is needed to identify methods of overcoming specific barriers to sleep imposed on SMs.

Evaluating the effectiveness of artificial intelligence-based tools in detecting and understanding sleep health misinformation: Comparative analysis using Google Bard and OpenAI ChatGPT-4.

This study evaluates the performance of two major artificial intelligence-based tools (ChatGPT-4 and Google Bard) in debunking sleep-related myths. More in detail, the present research assessed 20 sleep misconceptions using a 5-point Likert scale for falseness and public health significance, comparing responses of artificial intelligence tools with expert opinions. The results indicated that Google Bard correctly identified 19 out of 20 statements as false (95.0% accuracy), not differing from ChatGPT-4 (85.0% accuracy, Fisher's exact test p = 0.615). Google Bard's ratings of the falseness of the sleep misconceptions averaged 4.25 ± 0.70, showing a moderately negative skewness (-0.42) and kurtosis (-0.83), and suggesting a distribution with fewer extreme values compared with ChatGPT-4. In assessing public health significance, Google Bard's mean score was 2.4 ± 0.80, with skewness and kurtosis of 0.36 and -0.07, respectively, indicating a more normal distribution compared with ChatGPT-4. The inter-rater agreement between Google Bard and sleep experts had an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.58 for falseness and 0.69 for public health significance, showing moderate alignment (p = 0.065 and p = 0.014, respectively). Text-mining analysis revealed Google Bard's focus on practical advice, while ChatGPT-4 concentrated on theoretical aspects of sleep. The readability analysis suggested Google Bard's responses were more accessible, aligning with 8th-grade level material, versus ChatGPT-4's 12th-grade level complexity. The study demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence in public health education, especially in sleep health, and underscores the importance of accurate, reliable artificial intelligence-generated information, calling for further collaboration between artificial intelligence developers, sleep health professionals and educators to enhance the effectiveness of sleep health promotion.

The effect of family health on suboptimal health status: The parallel mediation role of sleep quality and health behaviour.

The prevalence of suboptimal health status has been increasing worldwide, posing a significant challenge to public health. Meanwhile, family health has been recognised as an important factor influencing individual health outcomes. However, the mechanisms through which family health affects suboptimal health status remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the parallel mediation role of sleep quality and health behaviour in the relationship between family health and suboptimal health status. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with a sample of adults >18 years old from four provinces in China. The survey questionnaires queried their demographic characteristics, family health, suboptimal health status, sleep quality, and health behaviour. We assessed family health by the Family Health Scale-Short Form and suboptimal health status using the Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire. We employed structural equation modelling to analyse the data and test the proposed mediation model. we collected 4918 valid questionnaires. The mean age of the participants was 30.1 years (standard deviation = 12.5). The correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative association between family health and suboptimal health status (r = -0.44; P < 0.001). The results of the parallel mediation analysis showed that family health had a significant indirect effect on suboptimal health status through both sleep quality (β = -0.350; P < 0.001) and health behaviour (β = -0.137; P < 0.001). The total indirect effect of family health on suboptimal health status through both sleep quality and health behaviour was also significant (β = -0.569, P < 0.001). This study highlights the significance of family health as a predictor of suboptimal health status and suggests that sleep quality and health behaviour are parallel mediators in this relationship. By understanding the role of family health, sleep quality, and health behaviour, interventions can be targeted to improve overall health outcomes.

Neighborhood Light at Night and Noise Levels, and Long-Term Sleep Trajectories in the Southern Community Cohort Study

While light at night (LAN) and noise levels have been linked to suboptimal sleep outcomes, little is known about the link between these factors and long-term suboptimal sleep trajectories. The current study examined the association of neighborhood LAN and nighttime noise with long-term sleep trajectories in a cohort of Black individuals and White individuals predominantly from low-income communities. We used data from the Southern Community Cohort Study (N = 28,759 Black individuals and 16,276 White individuals). Sleep duration was self-reported at baseline and after an average of five years of follow-up, based on which we constructed nine sleep trajectories: normal–normal (optimal, reference), short–short, long–long, short–long, long–short, normal–short, normal–long, short–normal, and long–normal. LAN and nighttime noise were derived from satellite imagery and model-based estimates, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between LAN and noise exposures and sleep trajectories. Higher exposures to LAN and nighttime noise were associated with multiple suboptimal long-term sleep trajectories. In the total sample, higher LAN was associated with higher odds of long–long (OR Q5 vs. Q1 = 1.23 (CI = 1.02, 1.48)) and long–short (OR = 1.35 (CI = 1.06, 1.72)) trajectories, while higher nighttime noise was associated with short–short (1.19 (1.07, 1.31)), long–short (1.31 (1.05, 1.64)), and normal–song (1.16 (1.01, 1.34)) trajectories. Black and White individual-specific results showed qualitatively similar patterns between Black individuals and White individuals, although we also observed suggestive evidence for Black–White individual differences. In conclusion, elevated LAN and nighttime noise levels were associated with various suboptimal long-term sleep trajectories. However, it is noteworthy that the light and noise measures in our study may not accurately reflect individual-level exposures, and residual confounding from other factors is a concern. Future studies should use more accurate exposure measurements, collect information on and control for a wider range of factors, and examine whether reductions in neighborhood light and noise levels may contribute to improved long-term sleep health.

Associations between neighbourhood safety, social cohesion, sleep quality and sleep duration among older adults in India: Findings from the Study on Global Aging and Adult Health (WHO-SAGE), 2015.

Most studies on later-life health in India focus on families, with far less attention given to the health repercussions of neighbourhood conditions among older Indians. We address this limitation in existing research by examining the associations between perceptions of neighbourhood safety and social cohesion and sleep duration and sleep quality among older adults in India. Data come from the Study on Global Aging and Adult Health (WHO-SAGE), India 2015 wave 2, with a sample of 7118 adults aged 50 years and above. Sleep quality and duration were assessed using subjective responses. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were employed to test the research hypotheses. Prevalence of poor sleep quality was higher among older adults living in unsafe neighbourhoods (4.46%) than peers residing in safe neighbourhoods (3.52%), and it was also higher among those living in neighbourhoods with poor social cohesion (5.31%) than counterparts who lived in socially cohesive communities (3.10%). Older adults in neighbourhoods with poor social cohesion had higher odds of reporting compromised sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio 1.75, CI: 1.22-2.51) than those living in socially cohesive neighbourhoods. Moreover, compared to those who perceived they were living in safe neighbourhoods, their peers who perceived their neighbourhoods as unsafe reported shorter sleep duration, with a negative beta coefficient of -0.27 (CI: -0.45 to -0.085). That perceived unsafety and poor social cohesion within one's neighbourhood are associated with compromised sleep reflects the significance of making neighbourhoods safer and more integrated for later-life sleep health. In addition to micro-level strategies (e.g., balanced nutrition and physical activity), efforts to improve sleep health should optimise macro-level opportunities, such as rehabilitating and revitalising neighbourhoods, which may alleviate sleep disturbances and improve sleep outcomes among older adults.

T266M variants of ANGPTL4 improve lipid metabolism by modifying their binding affinity to acetyl-CoA carboxylase in obstructive sleep apnea

Background Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is recognized as a crucial regulator in lipid metabolism. Acetyl-CoA carboxylases (ACACAs) play a role in the β-oxidation of fatty acids. Yet, the functions of ANGPTL4 and ACACA in dyslipidemia of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remain unclear. Methods This study included 125 male OSA subjects from the Shanghai Sleep Health Study (SSHS) who were matched for age, body mass index (BMI), and lipid profile. Serum ANGPTL4 levels were measured via ELISA. The ANGPTL4 T266M variants of 4455 subjects along with their anthropometric, fasting biochemical, and standard polysomnographic parameters were collected. Linear regression was used to analyze the associations between quantitative traits and ANGPTL4 T266M. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation were employed to compare the effects of the wild-type ANGPTL4 and its T266M mutation on ACACA. Results Serum ANGPTL4 levels significantly decreased with increasing OSA severity (non-OSA: 59.6 ± 17.4 ng/mL, mild OSA: 50.0 ± 17.5 ng/mL, moderate OSA: 46.3 ± 15.5 ng/mL, severe OSA: 19.9 ± 14.3 ng/mL, respectively, p = 6.02 × 10−16). No associations were found between T266M and clinical characteristics. Molecular docking indicated that mutant ANGTPL4 T266M had stronger binding affinity for the ACACA protein, compared with wild-type ANGPTL4. In terms of protein secondary structure, mutant ANGTPL4 T266M demonstrated greater stability than wild-type ANGPTL4. Conclusions Serum ANGTPL4 levels were significantly decreased in OSA patients, particularly among individuals with severe OSA. Although functional ANGTPL4 T266M variants were not associated with lipid levels in OSA, ANGTPL4 T266M could enhance binding affinity for the ACACA protein, potentially regulating lipid metabolism.

Sleeping for One Week on a Temperature-Controlled Mattress Cover Improves Sleep and Cardiovascular Recovery

Body temperature should be tightly regulated for optimal sleep. However, various extrinsic and intrinsic factors can alter body temperature during sleep. In a free-living study, we examined how sleep and cardiovascular health metrics were affected by sleeping for one week with (Pod ON) vs. without (Pod OFF), an active temperature-controlled mattress cover (the Eight Sleep Pod). A total of 54 subjects wore a home sleep test device (HST) for eight nights: four nights each with Pod ON and OFF (&gt;300 total HST nights). Nightly sleeping heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were collected. Compared to Pod OFF, men and women sleeping at cooler temperatures in the first half of the night significantly improved deep (+14 min; +22% mean change; p = 0.003) and REM (+9 min; +25% mean change; p = 0.033) sleep, respectively. Men sleeping at warm temperatures in the second half of the night significantly improved light sleep (+23 min; +19% mean change; p = 0.023). Overall, sleeping HR (−2% mean change) and HRV (+7% mean change) significantly improved with Pod ON (p &lt; 0.01). To our knowledge, this is the first study to show a continuously temperature-regulated bed surface can (1) significantly modify time spent in specific sleep stages in certain parts of the night, and (2) enhance cardiovascular recovery during sleep.

Homocysteine as a predictor of apnea-hypopnea index in obstructive sleep apnea: a longitudinal epidemiological study (EPISONO).

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects nearly 1 billion people globally, and has established links with cardiovascular and neurocognitive complications. Although it has some limitations, the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is commonly used to gauge OSA severity and therapeutic response. Homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism, when impaired, can elicit cellular senescence mechanisms that may be shared with OSA. Hence, our objective was to explore the role of Hcy concentrations both as a predictor of AHI values and as a potential risk factor for OSA. Involving 1042 volunteers aged 20 to 80years, the initial study (2007) included polysomnographic evaluations, questionnaires on sleep and general health, as well as biochemical analyses. After an 8-year interval, 715 participants from the initial study were invited for a follow-up assessment in 2015. Our findings showed that Hcy was a predictor for an increased AHI, and AHI increased over time. Individuals with plasma Hcy concentrations ≥ 15µmol/L experienced an average AHI increase of 7.43 events/hour ([beta coefficient] β = 7.43; 95%CI 2.73 to 12.13) over time, compared to those with plasma concentrations < 10µmol/L. A similar trend was apparent in those with plasma Hcy concentrations between 10 ≥  and  < 15µmol/L, who had an AHI increase with an average beta coefficient of 3.20 events/hour (95%CI 1.01 to 5.39) compared to those with plasma Hcy concentrations < 10µmol/L. In summary, our study suggests that increased plasma Hcy concentrations could be considered a risk factor for the development of OSA. These findings highlight that elevated plasma Hcy concentrations can predict the severity of OSA, underscoring their correlation with the AHI.