Sleep Quality Research Articles

Examining the Link Between Delivery Method, Sleep Quality, and Postpartum Depression: Insights from a Prospective Study

This study investigates the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) among 200 women who delivered at Government Women’s Hospital, Dharashiv, from October 2023 to March 2024. The findings reveal a half-year prevalence of PPD at 13% for vaginal deliveries and 26% for cesarean deliveries, resulting in a pooled prevalence of 22% in India. This figure is notably higher than the 12.9% reported in high-income countries and aligns with the 19.2% prevalence found in low- and middle-income nations. The study highlights the challenges faced by mothers in accessing adequate postpartum care, especially given the short hospital stays and low rates of follow-up visits, which contribute to undetected mental health issues. Urban mothers exhibited higher rates of PPD, potentially due to factors such as overcrowding and increased stress. The mean age of affected mothers was 28.05 years, with no significant associations found between PPD and socio-demographic variables like family type or maternal education. Notably, a prior history of depression was linked to higher prevalence rates. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced screening and intervention strategies for PPD in India, particularly for vulnerable populations, to improve maternal mental health outcomes and overall family well-being.

Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Quality-of-Life Improvement and Sleep Deficiency in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is a leading cause of chronic cyclic pelvic pain, contributing to a reduced quality of life and sleep disturbances in women. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) in improving the quality of life, sleep, and overall health perceptions of participants compared to a control group of women with dysmenorrhea over short-term, medium-term, and long-term periods. Methods: A single-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted, with participants randomly assigned to an experimental group (receiving TTNS) or a control group (receiving sham TTNS). Both groups underwent 12, weekly 30 min sessions using the NeuroTrac™ PelviTone electrostimulation device. Outcomes related to quality of life, sleep deficiency, and overall improvement were evaluated at three time points: short-term (post-treatment), medium-term (1-3 months), and long-term (6 months). Results: Of the 61 participants initially randomized (31 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group), 55 completed the study and were included in the final analysis. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the experimental group in both physical and mental health components, as measured by the SF-36v2® questionnaire, following 12 weeks of intervention, compared to the control group, persisting 6 months after the intervention. Additionally, statistically significant differences in overall improvement were noted between the two groups, as measured by the PGIC questionnaire at the end of treatment (p = 0.0103) and 6 months post-treatment (p = 0.0432). Conclusions: TTNS appears to be a safe and effective strategy for enhancing quality of life and overall health in women with PD, potentially reducing the reliance on pharmacological treatments or more invasive methods.

Sleep quality and sex-related differences in an older adult population: a web-based cross-sectional study

Introduction: Aging has significant economic and social implications leading to an increase in chronic diseases and reduced autonomy of the elderly. Sleep disorders are common in the elderly, manifesting reduced sleep quality. Objective/Purpose: The study aimed to measure the prevalence of sleep disorders in older adults and assess sex differences in sleep quality and sleep problems. Method: A cross-sectional study based on an online survey was performed according to the STROBE checklist, using pre-validated questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) distributed to a sample of older adults. This is the first study evaluating sex differences in sleep quality and problems in the Italian population context using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index assessment tool. The study was conducted in a university hospital in Rome from October 2020 to November 2020, on patients aged >65 years, independent in activities of daily living, with comorbidities and on treatment with up to 2 medications. Results: 59 patients were included in the study, with an average age of 71.12 years. The results show that among males, the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 51.9%, while among females, the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 62.5%. According to Shapiro-Wilk, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was not normally distributed. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total scores in males did not differ significantly from females. Conclusions: Considering scientific literature, recent studies have highlighted the prevalence of sleep disorders in the elderly population and their underreporting. Providing early intervention not only improves the sleep quality of these people but may also reduce the risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes and susceptibility to frailty.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Sleep, but not Physical Activity, are Associated with Functional Connectivity in Older Adults.

Aging results in changes in resting state functional connectivity within key networks associated with cognition. Cardiovascular function, physical activity, sleep, and body composition may influence these age-related changes in the brain. Better understanding these associations may help clarify mechanisms related to brain aging and guide interventional strategies to reduce these changes. In a large (n = 398) sample of healthy community dwelling older adults that were part of a larger interventional trial, we conducted cross sectional analyses of baseline data to examine the relationships between several modifiable behaviors and resting state functional connectivity within networks associated with cognition and emotional regulation. Additionally, maximal aerobic capacity, physical activity, quality of sleep, and body composition were assessed. Associations were explored both through correlation and best vs. worst group comparisons. Greater cardiovascular fitness, but not larger quantity of daily physical activity, was associated with greater functional connectivity within the Default Mode (p = 0.008 r = 0.142) and Salience Networks (p = 0.005, r = 0.152). Better sleep (greater efficiency and fewer nighttime awakenings) was also associated with greater functional connectivity within multiple networks including the Default Mode, Executive Control, and Salience Networks. When the population was split into quartiles, the highest body fat group displayed higher functional connectivity in the Dorsal Attentional Network compared to the lowest body fat percentage (p = 0.011; 95% CI - 0.0172 to - 0.0023). These findings confirm and expand on previous work indicating that, in older adults, higher levels of cardiovascular fitness and better sleep quality, but not greater quantity of physical activity, total sleep time, or lower body fat percentage are associated with increased functional connectivity within key resting state networks.

Intranasal administration of GRP78 protein (HSPA5) counteracts the neurodegeneration in the locus coeruleus in a model of chronic sleep restriction in rats

Chronic sleep restriction (sleep less than 6 hours per day) due to the workload and a decrease in sleep quality is an endemic disease in modern society. Chronic sleep deprivation causes serious neuropsychiatric disorders associated with irreversible neurodegenerative changes in the brain. The search for pharmacological agents that can reduce the risk of neurodegeneration as a result of chronic sleep loss is an urgent task issue for biomedicine. Intranasal administration of glucose-regulated 78 kDa heat shock protein (GRP78) has a neuroprotective effect in a rat model of Parkinson´s disease. The neuroprotective potential of intranasally administered GRP78 in chronic sleep deprivation has not been previously studied. The aim of the study is to find out whether preventive intranasal administration of GRP78 is able to weaken and/or stop the process of neurodegeneration in the locus coeruleus in the model of chronic sleep restriction (SR) in rats. The study was conducted on 6 months old male Wistar rats. For sleep deprivation, a validated method of a swinging platform was used in the mode: 3 hours of sleep deprivation and 1 hour of rest continuously for 5 days. Recombinant human protein GRP78 was administered intranasally two days before the start of SR and during 5 days of SR. Cellular and molecular changes in the locus coeruleus during SR and during the administration of GRP78 were studied using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. It was shown that chronic SR leads to the degeneration of 30% of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus, that was associated with an increase in the levels of activated caspases-3 and 9. This indicates the development of apoptosis along the mitochondrial pathway. No signs of reactive microgliosis were found in the model of chronic SR in rats. We have demonstrated that intranasally administered GRP78 penetrates and accumulates in the neurons of the locus coeruleus, GRP78 counteracts the death of neurons along the path of apoptosis. The data obtained allows to consider GRP78 as a potential neuroprotective agent for the prevention of pathological consequences of chronic sleep deprivation.

Application of Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in assessing the relationship between affect and movement behaviors among people with mood disorders: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) enables the generation of intensive longitudinal data to examine dynamic relationships between variables. This study aims to describe the use of EMA in assessing dynamic associations between movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) and affective experiences among people with affective disorders. This scoping review searched peer-reviewed journal articles in eight electronic databases in both June 2022 and October 2023. Twenty-two studies were identified. Affective constructs were inconsistently implemented conceptually and operationally. Most studies (4/5) comparing compliance rates between mood-disordered participants and healthy controls found no significant differences, supporting EMA feasibility for individuals with affective disorders. Sleep quality was consistently linked to higher positive affect, lower negative affect, and mood enhancements. Physical activity (6/8 studies) was consistently associated with mood enhancements or improved positive affect, but not negative affect (2/3 studies). One study investigated affect and an indicator of sedentary behavior. Our review highlights EMA feasibility for investigating movement behaviors and affective experiences among people with affective disorders. Understanding these associations may contribute to informing clinical management of affective disorders and developing behavioral interventions such as just-in-time adaptive interventions. However, enhancing EMA methodology design and reporting is necessary to improve study reliability and validity.

Impact of sleep quality on anthropometric profile in school-age children from a sports academy

Sleep quality is crucial during school age as it directly impacts children's development; however, understanding its influence on anthropometric profile during this vulnerable stage is essential. To determine the association between sleep quality and anthropometric profile in school-aged children from a sports academy in the city of Trujillo, Peru. Data were obtained through a non-experimental cross-sectional study involving 117 boys and girls aged 9 to 12 years. Sleep quality was measured using a survey technique, with the instrument being a sleep quality questionnaire developed by the researchers. Additionally, anthropometric profile was assessed using observational techniques, with the instrument being an anthropometric measurement record form. The p-values for body mass index (BMI), height for age (H/A), waist-to-height ratio and skinfold thickness were all greater than 0.05 (0.360; 0.661; 0.696; 0.312). There is no association between sleep quality and anthropometric profile, sleep quality had no impact on anthropometric profile.

The Impact of Social Participation on Frailty among Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Loneliness and Sleep Quality.

Frailty has become a common health issue among older adults, imposing a burden on both society and individuals. The relationship between social participation and frailty has received widespread attention, but the mechanism remains to be explored. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of social participation on frailty among older adults and to analyze the mediating role of loneliness and sleep quality, providing suggestions to alleviate frailty. Data related to social participation, loneliness, sleep quality, and frailty from 7779 older adults were collected from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS 2018). The chain mediation model was conducted to explore the relationship between variables, and the Bootstrap method was used to examine the path coefficients. Social participation negatively affected frailty (β = -0.00391049, 95% CI = [-0.042296, -0.035465]); the indirect effect of social participation on frailty mediated by loneliness was -0.0019505 (95% CI = [-0.002551, -0.001371]); the indirect effect of social participation on frailty mediated by sleep quality was -0.0011104 (95%CI = [-0.001692, -0.000557]); the effect mediated by both loneliness and sleep quality was -0.0004263 (95% CI = [-0.000593, -0.000304]). Social participation negatively affected frailty. Loneliness and sleep quality not only mediated independently, but also played a chain mediating role. This suggested that encouraging older adults to engage in more social participation, reducing loneliness, and improving sleep quality are feasible measures to improve frailty.

Oxidative stress and inflammation mediate the association between elevated oxidative balance scores and improved sleep quality: evidence from NHANES

BackgroundThe association between oxidative stress, as measured by the Oxidative Balance Score (OBS), and sleep quality remains unclear. The primary objective of this investigation was to clarify this relationship and to explore the potential involvement of oxidative stress and inflammation.MethodsData from 15,198 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2014 were analyzed. Sleep quality indicators, including sleep disorder, trouble, and duration, were assessed. The OBS, comprising information on 16 dietary nutrients and 4 lifestyle factors, was then calculated. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were employed to investigate the correlation between OBS and sleep quality. Additionally, mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the potential effects of oxidative stress and inflammation.ResultsWe demonstrated a correlation between an elevated OBS and reduced sleep disorders (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.58–0.91; p = 0.0055), reduced sleep trouble (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69–0.96; p = 0.0174), and prolonged sleep duration (β 0.009; 95% CI, 0.0002–0.0160; p = 0.015) when comparing the highest and lowest tertiles. Dietary factors exhibited autonomous correlations with sleep duration, whereas lifestyle factors displayed independent associations with sleep trouble and sleep disorders. Moreover, the relationships between OBS and both sleep disorders and trouble were influenced by albumin, γ-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, and white blood cells, with combined mediation effects of 34.66 and 29.54%, respectively (both p < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses revealed a significant association between OBS and sleep disorder (p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study revealed a positive correlation between an elevated OBS and improved sleep quality, manifested by decreased sleep disorders, mitigated sleep trouble, and prolonged sleep duration. This is potentially mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, the study underscores the importance of adopting a diet rich in antioxidants and healthy lifestyle choices to address sleep-related concerns, providing a novel avenue for enhancing overall sleep quality.

Effectiveness of Combined Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Progressive Muscle Relaxation in Treating Long-Term COVID-19 Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and additional progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) techniques in patients with long-term COVID-19 symptoms. Methods: We included 61 patients with long COVID-19 symptoms and randomly assigned them to two groups: PR only (group 1 with 30 subjects) and PR with PMR (group 2 with 31 subjects). The PR program consisted of gradual aerobic conditioning, strength training, and breathing exercises. Group 2 received additional 20 min daily sessions of progressive muscle relaxation techniques. Results: Following a 21-day intervention, it was observed that both groups had noteworthy improvements in lung function, exercise capacity, and sleep quality with statistical significance (p < 0.0001). Group 2 showed significant improvements in overall health (as measured by the General Health Questionnaire-12), patient health (as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9), general anxiety levels (as indicated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorders Scale-7), and sleep quality (as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), with statistical significance (p < 0.0001), compared to group 1. Moreover, the statistical analysis demonstrated no significant difference in exercise capacity improvement between group 1 and group 2, as indicated by a p-value of 0.1711. Conclusions: The addition of progressive muscle relaxation to pulmonary rehabilitation significantly enhances mental health outcomes, particularly in reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality, for patients with long-term COVID-19 symptoms. These findings suggest that incorporating PMR into PR programs offers a valuable non-pharmacological approach to improving overall patient well-being during long-term COVID-19 recovery.

Sleep Potentiating Effect of <i>Pleurotus squarrusolus</i> Ethanolic Extract on Diazepam-Induced Sleeping Time in Male Wistar Rats

This study examines the sleep-promoting properties of an ethanolic extract derived from <i>Pleurotus squarrosulus</i> in male Wistar rats, particularly in conjunction with the sleep-inducing effects of diazepam. The impetus for this research is driven by the rising global incidence of sleep disorders and the ongoing need for effective, natural adjuncts to current therapeutic strategies. The bioactive compounds identified in <i>Pleurotus squarrosulus</i> may exert mood-modulating effects, which could play a role in its overall therapeutic impact on sleep and well-being. The extract was subjected to analysis using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), which revealed the presence of gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, catechin, rutin, apigenin, quercetin, and kaempferol. Among these compounds, gallic acid and quercetin exhibited the highest concentrations. Diazepam, a traditional sedative, was administered alone as well as in combination with two different doses of the extract, namely 250mg and 500mg. The results demonstrated a significant increase in sleeping time in both the Diazepam + Sample 250mg and Diazepam + Sample 500mg groups compared to the control group, indicating an enhancement in sleep quality. These findings are consistent with previous research, which highlighted the presence of bioactive compounds known for their diverse biological effects. This study introduces <i>Pleurotus squarrosulus </i>as a potential natural sleep aid, showcasing a promising synergy when combined with diazepam. Further investigation into the mechanisms and safety considerations of this combination offers an optimistic path for the development of integrated approaches to sleep management.

Restless sleep is associated with increased anxiety in physical therapy students: a cross sectional survey study

BackgroundSleep and mental health are intimately related and shown to impact graduate students enrolled in health sciences programs, including physical therapy education. Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students’ attitudes and behaviors surrounding sleep and whether these factors are associated with mental health are unknown. This study aimed to describe sleep behaviors and attitudes of entry-level DPT students and to explore the relationship between subjectively reported sleep quality and self-reported symptoms of anxiety in these students.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey consisting of the Sleep Practices and Attitudes Questionnaire (SPAQ), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire, and demographic questions were used. Analyses investigated sleep behaviors and attitudes, along with the relationship (unadjusted odds ratio) between restless sleep and anxiety in DPT students in hybrid and traditional DPT programs across the United States (US).ResultsA total of 271 DPT students completed the survey. A majority of students reported feeling tired during most days (80.8%, n = 219), a quarter of participants (24.7%) reported having a history of trouble sleeping and four (1.5%) reported being diagnosed with a sleep disorder. Of those who reported their sleep duration, participants slept an average of 6.86 h. The mean GAD-7 score was 7.68 (SD = 4.90), suggestive of mild anxiety. Sixty-seven (24.7%) reported having a diagnosed anxiety disorder, with generalized anxiety being the most common diagnosis. Those who reported having restless sleep were 4.09 times more likely to have moderate to severe anxiety [unadjusted odds ratio = 4.09 (95% CI 2.27,7.35; p < 0.001)] compared to those who reported restful sleep.ConclusionsDPT students who rated sleep as restless exhibit signs of poor subjective sleep quality associated with an increased risk of experiencing moderate to severe anxiety compared to students who had restful sleep. Students reported behaviors surrounding sleep that may contribute to anxiety. These findings have implications for including sleep and mental health education and practices within DPT programs.

Non-invasive respiratory support in children and young adults with complex medical conditions in pediatric palliative care

ObjectiveDyspnoea and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are common in children with life-limiting conditions but studies on treatment with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are scarce. The aim...

Impacts of human behaviors involving sound and light exposure in sleep environments on sleep and mental disorders: A cross-sectional study

Creating an optimal sleeping environment is essential. Few studies have examined how common individual behaviors alter the daily sleep environment and the subsequent health impacts of these changes among the general population. This study presented a cross-sectional analysis of 13,157 Chinese college students, utilizing binomial logistic regression models and mediation effect analysis to elucidate the associations between human behaviors involving sound and light exposure in sleep environments and outcomes related to sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety. Our results indicated that noise exposure, listening to white noise and content-based audio (audiobooks, crosstalk, and radio) before sleep, watching electronic screens in a dim environment, using noise-canceling tools during sleep, adjusting room light to be on during sleep, and using light-blocking tools during sleep was associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders by 54.9–343.4 %. The risk of mental disorders increased by 0.325–4.379 times. Pathetic (odds ratio (OR) = 1.568) and stirring music (OR = 1.279) were associated with a higher risk of sleep disorders, while gentle music was correlated with a lower risk (OR = 0.842). Additionally, warm light and gentle/cheerful music were associated with lower depression and anxiety risks (OR = 0.635–0.733). Sleep quality was found to partially mediate the relationship between these human behaviors and mental disorders, and mental disorders also mediated the relationship between these behaviors and sleep disorders. The research findings offer a scientific foundation for optimizing sleeping environments through behavior control.

Effects of overnight-fasted versus fed-state exercise on the components of energy balance and interstitial glucose across four days in healthy adults

Exercise is an essential component of body mass management interventions. Overnight-fasted exercise (FASTex) acutely enhances fat oxidation compared with fed exercise (FEDex). However, consistent FASTex training does not typically further enhance body mass loss, suggesting the induction of energy compensation responses. The present study aimed to test the effects of FASTex or FEDex on the components of energy balance (i.e., energy intake (EI), energy expenditure (EE), and appetite) and interstitial glucose metrics across four days. MethodsTwelve (10 men, 2 women) healthy, physically active participants (age 22.6 + 1.2 years (mean ± SD); BMI 22.5 ± 2.8 kg ⋅ m−2) were studied twice, across four days, after a 75-min run either FASTex or FEDex. Daily EI was obtained after subtracting leftovers from the provided food. Daily fasting appetite was measured by visual analogue scales. Activity- and total- EE (AEE & TEE, respectively) were estimated by combining heart rate and accelerometry. Continuous glucose monitoring was used to capture daily interstitial glucose metrics and Likert scales were utilised to quantify fatigue, stress, sleep quality, and muscle soreness levels. ResultsNo differences between conditions were observed for EI (FASTex = 15.0 ± 0.1 vs FEDex = 15.0 ± 0.4 MJ⋅day−1; p = 0.865), AEE (FASTex = 7.6 ± 1.1 vs FEDex 7.8 ± 1.3 MJ⋅day−1; p = 0.223) and TEE (FASTex = 15.9 ± 3.4 vs 14.9 ± 4.5 MJ⋅day−1; p = 0.136). Additionally, no condition effects for appetite (p > 0.05) and interstitial glucose (p = 0.074) were observed. ConclusionFASTex did not differ from FEDex in the response of components of energy balance or interstitial glucose across four days, suggesting that both exercise approaches could be used interchangeably.

Time-Restricted Eating Versus Daily Calorie Restriction: Effect on Sleep in Adults with Obesity over 12 Months.

Objective: The aim of this secondary analysis was to compare the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) versus daily calorie restriction (CR) on sleep quality, duration, insomnia severity, and risk of obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity over one year. Methods: A total of 90 participants were randomized to one of three groups for 12 months: 8 h TRE (eating only between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.); CR (25% daily calorie restriction) or a no-intervention control group. Results: By the end of the study, weight loss was 4.61 kg (95% CI; 7.37 to 1.85 kg; p ≤ 0.01) for the TRE group and 5.42 kg (CI; 9.13 to 1.71 kg; p ≤ 0.01) for the CR group, with no statistically significant difference between TRE and CR (0.81 kg [CI; 3.07 to 4.69]; p = 0.68]). Self-reported sleep quality, sleep duration, insomnia severity, and risk of obstructive sleep apnea did not change in the TRE or CR groups versus controls by month 12. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the weight loss produced by TRE and CR does not have any impact on various sleep parameters in adults with obesity over one year.

Predictive Role of Emotion Regulation Flexibility in the Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Sleep Deprivation among Medical Students

The current study was carried out to evaluate the predictive function of emotion regulation flexibility in the association between self-efficacy and sleep deprivation among medical students. The current study also aimed to investigate the demographic differences in these variables. In the present study three instruments, the Emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ; Gross &amp; John, 2003), the General self-efficacy scale (GSE; Schwarzer &amp; Jerusalem, 1995), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PISQ; Buysse et al., 1989) were administered on a sample of 500 medical students along with demographic sheet. Study outcomes proved that emotion regulation flexibility has a substantial positive relationship with self-efficacy and both have a negative relationship with sleep deprivation. The results also showed that gender has non-significant differences in self-efficacy. In contrast, significant results in emotion regulation flexibility and sleep deprivation. In contrast, the institutional sector has substantial differences in emotion regulation flexibility and self-efficacy while non-significant differences in sleep deprivation. Results also concluded that social status has significant differences in self- efficacy and non-significant differences in emotion regulation flexibility and sleep deprivation. The results also demonstrate that the year of study has substantial differences in sleep deprivation while it has non-significant differences in emotion regulation flexibility and self-efficacy. The results also demonstrate that emotion regulation flexibility significantly predicts self-efficacy in a positive direction.

Immunotherapy in Alzheimer's Disease: Current Status and Future Directions.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Immunotherapy aims to harness the immune system to target the underlying pathology of AD and has shown promise as a disease-modifying treatment for AD. By focusing on the underlying disease pathogenesis and encouraging the removal of abnormal protein aggregates in the brain, immunotherapy shows promise as a potential treatment for AD. The development of immunotherapy for AD began with early attempts to use antibodies to target beta-amyloid. The amyloid hypothesis which suggests that the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain triggers the pathological cascade that leads to AD has been a driving force behind the development of immunotherapy for AD. However, recent clinical trials of monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid-β have shown mixed results, highlighting the need for further research into alternative immunotherapy approaches. Additionally, the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy for AD remain an area of active investigation. Some immunotherapeutic approaches have shown promise, while others have been associated with significant side effects, including inflammation of the brain. Sleep has a significant impact on various physiological processes, including the immune system, and has been linked to the pathogenesis of AD. Thus, improving sleep quality and duration may benefit the immune system and potentially enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic approaches for AD. In this review, we discussed the promises of immunotherapy as a disease-modifying treatment for AD as well as possible methods to improve the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy to achieve better therapeutic outcomes.

From sleep to sip? Examining a daily model of sleep and trauma-related drinking among sexual violence survivors.

Alcohol misuse is common among women who have experienced sexual violence and is often attributed to the self-medication model of alcohol use to alleviate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Despite the proximal theorized role of PTSD symptoms, less attention has been given to daily associations between PTSD symptoms, trauma-related drinking to cope (TRD) motives, and ensuing alcohol use by survivors. Moreover, despite indications that poor sleep impacts affective functioning and may exacerbate daily PTSD symptoms, the role of sleep duration and quality in drinking to cope with PTSD symptoms is not well understood. This study examined an integrated model testing whether shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality predict greater daily PTSD symptoms and, in turn, greater alcohol use later that day through TRD motives. Participants were 82 cisgender women (Mage = 22.8, 73.2% White, 13.4% Hispanic/Latina, 56.1% heterosexual, 30.5% bisexual) who had experienced sexual violence. Participants completed ecological momentary assessment measures and wore actigraphs for 3 weeks. Contrary to hypotheses, shorter-than-usual sleep duration did not predict greater alcohol use quantity via daily PTSD symptoms and TRD motives. However, poorer-than-usual sleep quality predicted greater PTSD symptoms that day, which in turn predicted greater same-day TRD motives. Findings underscore the importance of sleep quality in heightened PTSD symptoms but suggest survivors did not drink more to alleviate trauma-related distress. Future research should examine other drinking motives among survivors to inform proximal interventions to prevent alcohol misuse. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Music and Sleep Hygiene Interventions for Pregnancy-Related Insomnia: An Online Randomized Controlled Trial.

Approximately 50% to 60% of all pregnant women suffer from insomnia during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related insomnia has been associated with severe outcomes for both mother and child postnatally. Currently, the treatment of pregnancy-related insomnia is often neglected due to a lack of suitable treatments. This online assessor-masked randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of music listening and sleep hygiene for treating pregnancy-related insomnia. We recruited first-time pregnant women at the end of the second trimester with a report of poor sleep. Participants in the music and sleep hygiene (MSH) group received standard sleep hygiene advice and were instructed to listen to music daily at bedtime for 4 weeks. They could choose from 6 sleep playlists of different genres. Participants randomized to the sleep hygiene alone (SH) group received standard sleep hygiene only. Primary outcomes were sleep quality measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and insomnia severity measured with the Insomnia Severity Index. gov Identifier: NCT04633395. Among the 98 participants receiving the online intervention, 31 participants in the MSH group (62%) and 40 participants in the SH group (80%) completed the postintervention measurements. Both groups experienced improved sleep quality during the intervention period (PSQI change, -2.10; 95% CI, -3.27 to -0.93; P <.001), with no significant difference between the groups. Similarly, insomnia symptoms were reduced (Insomnia Severity Index change, -3.42; 95% CI, -5.02 to -1.83; P <.001) with no significant difference in the effect between groups. There was a significant difference in adherence to sleep hygiene between the MSH and SH groups (42% vs 8%; P =.007). Sleep quality and insomnia severity can be improved in pregnant women with relatively simple interventions like music listening and sleep hygiene advice. These results align with previous research, but larger trials are recommended to support introduction into clinical practice.