Sleep Disorder Symptoms Research Articles

Chronic pain and associated factors in remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Estimate the prevalence of chronic pain and its association with symptoms of anxiety, sleep disorders, and aspects of remote work in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted with 328 adults engaged in remote work. Data was collected online from February 2021 to January 2022. For pain investigation and evaluations of sleep and anxiety, a structured questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 were used, respectively. The prevalence of chronic pain was 47.9% (CI 95% = 42.5-53.3). Associations were identified between pain and anxiety, sleep disorders, and sitting time (p<0.01). The prevalence of chronic pain in remote work was found to be high, with pain being of moderate intensity and associated with anxiety, sleep disorders, and prolonged sitting time.

Clinical effect of Chinese medicine preparation at Shenque and Dazhui acupoints on relieving the symptoms of sleep disorders in patients with laryngocarcinoma

Clinical effect of Chinese medicine preparation at Shenque and Dazhui acupoints on relieving the symptoms of sleep disorders in patients with laryngocarcinoma

Sex Differences in the Clinical Presentation of Prodromal Dementia with Lewy Bodies

AbstractBackgroundSex is an important biological variable which can influence the prevalence, clinical presentation, and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Little is known regarding possible sex differences in prodromal dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).MethodWe analyzed data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set (NACC database is funded by NIH U01‐AG016976). Annual visits occurred across 39 past/present Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRC) between September 2005 and September 2021. We included non‐demented participants at baseline who were clinically diagnosed with DLB by ADRC staff at a subsequent visit. The presence of motor symptoms, visual hallucinations, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), cognitive fluctuations, and neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed through clinical exam and informant responses 1–2 years prior to DLB diagnosis.ResultWe identified 160 participants with DLB (82.5% male). Male and female groups differed in age and ethnicity (Table 1).There were no differences in education, cognition, functional status, severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms, or number of visits prior to phenoconversion to DLB.RBD was more prevalent in men (58‐62% vs. 25–36% women). Cognitive fluctuations were also more common among men (33‐40% vs. 6–18% women). Men reported a higher prevalence of visual hallucinations 2‐years prior to dementia diagnosis (23% vs. 6% women), but visual hallucinations were more prevalent in women than men at the first visit with dementia diagnosis (54% women vs. 43% men). Motor slowing and parkinsonian gait were prevalent among both groups; however, tremor and rigidity were more common in men, while postural instability and falls were more frequent in women. Apathy was common in both groups; however, anxiety was more frequent in men, and women had a higher prevalence of depression. (Table 2). The groups did not differ in rates of 1 vs. 2+ core clinical features 1‐year prior to diagnosis (Table 3).ConclusionThis descriptive analysis appears to indicate there are sex differences in the prodromal presentation of DLB. Men may present with established core features earlier than women. Limitations include lack of pathological confirmation and the number of female and ethno‐racially diverse participants. Understanding differences in clinical presentations may inform diagnostic criteria and therefore improve clinical sensitivity.

An epigenome wide association study of sub‐phenotypes in Parkinson’s disease.

AbstractBackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is a highly heterogeneous disorder, encompassing a complex spectrum of clinical presentation including motor, sleep, cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Together the cumulative effects of these symptoms have huge impacts on individual quality of life. Here we aim to investigate genome wide DNA‐methylation in post‐mortem PD brain samples and test for region specific association with common secondary symptoms of sleep disorder, visual hallucinations and dementia.MethodDNA methylation data was generated on the Illumina 450K microarray for a cohort of 142 individual post mortem brain samples from the Frontal Cortex (FC), Caudate Putamen (CP) and Substantia Nigra (SN). Data was quality controlled following standardized, previously published pipelines. Clinical records for each case were assessed for binary status of sleep disorder, visual hallucinations and dementia. Linear models were used to identify differentially methylated positions (DMPs) for each of these outcomes, controlling for age, sex, post‐mortem interval and inferred cell‐type proportions as covariates.ResultThus far, results been only been generated for the dementia phenotype, with one genome wide significant loci passing multiple testing correction in the frontal cortex (p = 5.25e‐8). This DMP, found in the gene FAM175A / ABRAXAS‐1 (cg14699004), is hypomethylated in PD patients with preserved cognition, with comparable higher measures in PD‐Dementia and control samples. This effect appeared to be FC specific, with no DMPs passing genome wide significance in other brain regions tested.ConclusionPreliminary evidence indicates potential sub‐phenotype associated DMPs, with methylation at one site specifically associated with dementia within the FC. Current analysis is focussing on generating reference results across each of the phenotypes and brain regions assessed. Future work will look at Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis to identify networks associated with these individual phenotypes.

Posttraumatic growth after childhood cancer: Psychometric evaluation of a five-item short form and associations with mental health

ObjectiveResearch has described positive psychological outcomes after severe illness, including posttraumatic growth. The aim of the present research was to evaluate a short scale assessing posttraumatic growth within a sample of cancer survivors to provide an efficient instrument for research and care settings. MethodsUsing data of a registry-based sample of N = 633 childhood cancer survivors (CCS) more than 25 years after diagnosis, we conducted an investigation of a five-item short form of the established Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the PPR-5 (PPR stands for “Posttraumatische Persönliche Reifung”, the German expression for posttraumatic growth). We performed a confirmatory factor analysis, tested the PPR-5's internal consistency, and investigated associations with cancer-related, sociodemographic, and mental health variables (assessed using psychometrically tested screening instruments) using group comparisons and correlation analyses within a cross-sectional design. ResultsFindings supported a unidimensional structure of the PPR-5. It also showed good reliability (ω = 0.81). CCS especially endorsed Relating to others and Personal strength. The PPR-5's sum score was negatively associated with current depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder symptoms, intake of antidepressants, and lifetime diagnoses of depression and anxiety disorders. It showed positive associations with resilient coping, higher age at diagnosis, partnership, and parenthood. ConclusionThe PPR-5 allows for a brief assessment of posttraumatic growth. As it indicates aspects that support positive psychological adaptation to life as a (cancer) survivor, it could inform research and practice (e.g., as a screening measure, or in psychotherapy/counseling settings).

Prevalence of self-reported symptoms of temporomandibular disorders and associated factors in the period of distance learning.

ObjectiveAssess the prevalence of self-reported TMD symptoms and anxiety and check the quality of sleep and life during the distance learning period in university students at the University of Brasilia (UnB).Materials and methodsThe participants were students from the Health Sciences College and Medicine College at UnB. Self-administered questionnaires were used to evaluate symptoms of TMD, quality of life, and sleep quality. One-way analysis of variance, followed by Bonferroni test, and Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s test, were performed (P < 0.05). For qualitative data analysis, the chi-square test was applied (P < 0.05).ResultsTotal 156 students were included; prevalence of TMD, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and poor sleep quality was 73.1%, 84%, 12.8%, and 62.8%, respectively. A greater prevalence of painful TMD was observed in students with severe anxiety (P = 0.007). Students with symptoms of painful TMD, severe anxiety, and sleep disorders had statistically worse quality of life.ConclusionsThe implementation of distance learning in health courses to replace classroom teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted TMD prevalence, anxiety, quality of life, and sleep quality.Clinical relevancePsychological factors are directly associated with TMD symptoms and quality of life, TMD conditions are related to quality of life as well. COVID-19 pandemic and the distance learning in health courses are new situations that can lead to a great impact on mental health and in consequence to TMD conditions and quality of life.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00784-022-04743-z.

Predictors of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: results from a 3-year longitudinal cohort study

IntroductionAnxiety symptoms are the most common neuropsychiatric manifestation of Parkinson’s disease (PD), contributing to decreased quality of life. Few longitudinal studies in PD samples have examined correlates of anxiety symptoms over time. Understanding predictor variables may help to identify novel targets for reducing anxiety in PD. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of anxiety symptoms over 3 years in a clinic-based PD cohort.MethodsOur cohort included patients with PD at an academic medical center in the Southeastern United States (n = 105). Visits included assessment of motor, psychiatric, and cognitive features, including neuropsychological testing. For our multivariate model, we selected 11 predictor variables with the most existing evidence or theoretical support for an association with anxiety symptoms in PD. Multivariate linear mixed model regression was performed to determine which variables were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms over time.ResultsOver half of participants (57%) met the screening threshold for an anxiety disorder at some point during the study. Independent predictors of anxiety symptoms over time included symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and dysautonomia.DiscussionIn this PD sample, RBD and dysautonomia symptoms were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms over time. Each of these relationships has been reported in one of two prior longitudinal studies. Unlike prior studies, cognitive impairment was not a significant predictor of anxiety symptoms in our sample. Future research should confirm the direction and mechanisms underlying these relationships, including the potential for anxiety symptom reduction through treatment for RBD and dysautonomia.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, Psychosomatic Symptoms, and Sleep Quality in Health Care Workers in Turkey During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Data From a Large Tertiary Care Hospital

The aim of this study was to examine psychosomatic symptoms, sleep quality, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of health care workers actively fighting against Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19). Six hundred seventy-six health care workers were included in the study. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) were applied to the participants. Of the participants, 55.4% were female health care workers. PTSD symptoms were observed in 24.3% of the participants and 42.55% had sleep disorder symptoms. The anxiety, depression, and stress, PHQ-15, and PSQI were determined to be the predictors for potential PTSD. Gender, job title, depression, PHQ-15, and IES-R were determined to be significant predictors for a sleep disorder. Gender, anxiety, IES-R, and PSQI were found to be significant predictors for psychosomatic symptoms. Determining which individuals are likely to be more affected in terms of psychosomatic symptoms, potential PTSD, and sleep disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic and detecting possible risk factors are of great importance. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2022;52(10):427–441.]

Prevalence Of Sleep Disorders Among Physicians And Nurses During COVID-19 Pandemic

The objective of our review was to analyze studies of prevalence sleep disorders among medical workers during COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods — Overall, during the analyzed period, studying domestic and foreign databases, we identified 94 publications on the development of sleep disorders among medical personnel working during COVID–19 pandemic in 2000-2021. However, only 88 of these publications complied with the objective of the review. We included 75 full-text publications in this review. Results — Physicians and nurses during COVID-19 pandemic do not have the opportunity to take therapy aimed at combating the symptoms of sleep disorders, due to the need to maintain sufficient attention and the risk of developing excessive drowsiness while on duty in a COVID -19 hospital. The latter can have a negative impact on their professional activities. Thus, this problem certainly requires professional psychotherapeutic correction. Unfortunately, not all medical institutions have such specialists. Conclusion — Based on the literature review, we found out that health care workers have a high risk of developing sleep disorders. This can include violations of the circadian rhythm, a decrease in the quality and duration of night sleep, daytime hypersomnia caused by shift work in a hospital. An additional factor affecting the frequency and severity of sleep disorders in healthcare workers (physicians and nurses) is chronic stress, the importance of which has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the above problem has not been completely solved and requires research in this area and the development of new programs to help medical personnel.

The Effect of Dracocephalum Extract on Sleep Quality in Post-Menopausal Women: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective: Sleep disturbance is one of the most prevalent problems in post-menopausal females. The current research intended to evaluate the effects of Dracocephalum on sleep disorder in post-menopausal females. Method : The current study is a randomized, double-blind controlled trial, in which 110 post-menopausal women were randomly allocated to Dracocephalum or placebo groups. The intervention group took Dracocephalum capsules containing 250 mg Dracocephalum extract twice daily for one month. While, the placebo group took the same capsule containing 250 mg of starch twice daily for one month. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was completed by the participants of both groups before and after the treatment and the data obtained were analyzed with Chi-square, paired and independent t-test in SPSS (version 20). Results: The mean score of sleep quality before and after the treatment was 12.69 ± 3.98 and 8.58 ± 1.97 in the treatment group, respectively. Also, the score of sleep quality in the placebo group was 13.48 ± 2.60 and 11.21 ± 2.74 at the beginning and end of the research, respectively. The symptoms of sleep disorder in the intervention group significantly improved after the treatment (P < 0.001), while this was not the case with the placebo group (P = 0.155). Besides, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the mean score of sleep quality after the treatment (P = 0.012). Conclusion: Dracocephalum extracts are effective in reducing symptoms of sleep disorders in post-menopausal women.

Lucid dreaming increased during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed people’s lives all over the world. While anxiety and stress decreased sleep quality for most people, an increase in total sleep time was also observed in certain cohorts. Dream recall frequency also increased, especially for nightmares. However, to date, there are no consistent reports focusing on pandemic-related changes in lucid dreaming, a state during which dreamers become conscious of being in a dream as it unfolds. Here we investigated lucid dreaming recall frequency and other sleep variables in 1,857 Brazilian subjects, using an online questionnaire. Firstly, we found that most participants (64.78%) maintained their lucid dream recall frequency during the pandemic, but a considerable fraction (22.62%) informed that lucid dreams became more frequent, whereas a smaller subset (12.60%) reported a decrease in these events during the pandemic. Secondly, the number of participants reporting lucid dreams at least once per week increased during the pandemic. Using a mixed logistic regression model, we confirmed that the pandemic significantly enhanced the recall frequency of lucid dreams (p = 0.002). Such increase in lucid dreaming during the pandemic was significantly associated with an enhancement in both dream and nightmare recall frequencies, as well as with sleep quality and symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder. Pandemic-related increases in stress, anxiety, sleep fragmentation, and sleep extension, which enhance REM sleep awakening, may be associated with the increase in the occurrence of lucid dreams, dreams in general, and nightmares.

Digital phenotyping to improve prediction of suicidal urges in treatment: Study protocol

Digital phenotyping offers a powerful approach for forecasting risk for suicidal ideation or attempts over time. This method may serve as an especially useful strategy for understanding associations between sleep disorder symptoms and suicidal ideation and behavior. Sleep disorder symptoms predict suicidal ideation and behavior in cross-sectional research among active-duty military personnel, but few studies have examined longitudinal associations between sleep disorder symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in service members. In this study, we will use digital phenotyping to intensively assess Marines for 28 days through a combination of active and passive assessment strategies. Marines with suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt in the past month will be recruited from Camp Lejeune, NC and provided with a Fitbit device and receive ecological momentary assessments (EMA) of suicidal urges several times throughout the day. Using dynamic multilevel models, we will explore the impact of sleep disorder symptoms on next-day suicide urges, as well as mediators of these effects. This study has the potential to inform optimal strategies to assess suicide risk in treatment. These findings will inform the development and implementation of real-time interventions to reduce risk for suicide among military personnel. • Sleep disorder symptoms significant increase risk for suicide. • We will use digital phenotyping to evaluate how changes in sleep predict changes in suicidal ideation among Marines. • Results will have key implications for suicide prevention among active-duty service members.

Multidimensional Sleep Health Is Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence and Cardiometabolic Health in US Adults.

Individual sleep dimensions have been linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and cardiometabolic health (CMH), but sleep health is multifaceted. We investigated associations of a multidimensional sleep health (MDSH) score, enabling the assessment of sleep health gradients, with CVD and CMH. Participants were 4555 adults aged ≥20 years from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A MDSH score, capturing poor, moderate, and ideal sleep was computed from self-reported sleep duration, sleep regularity, difficulty falling asleep, symptoms of sleep disorders, and daytime sleepiness. Survey-weighted multivariable linear and logistic models examined associations of MDSH with CVD and CMH. Ideal and moderate vs. poor MDSH were related to lower odds of hypertension (62% and 41%), obesity (73% and 56%), and central adiposity (68% and 55%), respectively; a statistically significant linear trend was observed across gradients of MDSH (p-trend < 0.001). Ideal vs. moderate/poor MDSH was associated with 32% and 40% lower odds of prevalent CVD and type 2 diabetes, respectively. More favorable MDSH was associated with lower blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference, and fasting glucose. In sex-stratified analyses, ideal vs. moderate/poor MDSH was associated with lower CVD odds and blood pressure in women only. The MDSH framework may be more than just the sum of its parts and could better capture information regarding CVD risk.

A comprehensive evaluation of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea and comorbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea in US military personnel.

The aim of this study was to characterize the sleep disorders of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and comorbid insomnia and OSA (COMISA) in active duty military personnel. Prospective observational study of 309 military personnel with a mean age of 37.17 years (SD = 7.27). Participants served in four branches of the U.S. military (47.9% Air Force, 38.8% Army, 11.3% Navy, and 1.9% Marines). Sleep diagnoses were rendered after video-polysomnography and a clinical evaluation. Validated self-report measures assessed insomnia severity, excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, disruptive nocturnal behaviors, nightmare disorder, shift work disorder (SWD), sleep impairment, fatigue, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, anxiety, depression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). General linear models and Pearson chi-square tests were used for between-group differences in data analyses. Insomnia was diagnosed in 32.7%, OSA in 30.4% and COMISA in 36.9%. Compared to military personnel with OSA alone, those with insomnia only and COMISA had significantly greater insomnia severity, disruptive nocturnal behaviors, sleep-related impairment, rates of nightmare disorder, and poorer sleep quality (all Ps < .05). They also reported greater symptoms of fatigue, PTSD, anxiety, and depression (all Ps < .05). There were no significant differences among the three sleep disorder diagnostic groups on sleepiness, SWD, or TBI. Military personnel with insomnia only and COMISA overall report worsened symptoms of sleep disorders, sleep-related impairment, fatigue, and psychiatric disorders than those with OSA. Results highlight the importance of a comprehensive assessment for sleep-related impairment, sleep, and comorbid disorders in military personnel with clinically significant sleep disturbances.

Sleep Disturbances and Mental Health: A Transdiagnostic View of Sleep Disorders Symptoms in a Representative Canadian Sample

Sleep Disturbances and Mental Health: A Transdiagnostic View of Sleep Disorders Symptoms in a Representative Canadian Sample

Shumian Capsule Improves the Sleep Disorder and Mental Symptoms Through Melatonin Receptors in Sleep-Deprived Mice.

Healthy sleep is vital to maintaining the body's homeostasis. With the development of modern society, sleep disorder has gradually become one of the most epidemic health problems worldwide. Shumian capsule (SMC), a kind of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) commonly used for insomnia, exhibits antidepressant and sedative effects in clinical practice. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully clarified. With the aid of a network pharmacology approach and function enrichment analysis, we identified the involvement of melatonin receptors in the antidepressant and sedative effects of SMC. In sleep-deprived mice, SMC treatment significantly alleviated insomnia and relevant mental alterations by improving both sleep latency and sleep duration. However, ramelteon, a selective melatonin receptor agonist that has been approved for the treatment of insomnia, only improved sleep latency. Additionally, SMC exhibited comparable effects on mental alterations with ramelteon as determined by an open-field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST). Mechanistically, we revealed that the melatonin receptor MT1 and MT2 signaling pathways involved the therapeutic effects of SMC. In addition to the single effect of traditional melatonin receptor agonists on treating sleep onset insomnia, SMC had therapeutic potential for various sleep disorders, such as sleep onset insomnia and sleep maintenance insomnia. Convergingly, our findings provide theoretical support for the clinical application of SMC.

The Mediating Role of Cognitive Control in the Relationship Between Sleep Disorders and Depressive Symptoms of Early Adolescence in the First and Second High School Students in Ardabil in 2020-2021: A Descriptive Study

The Mediating Role of Cognitive Control in the Relationship Between Sleep Disorders and Depressive Symptoms of Early Adolescence in the First and Second High School Students in Ardabil in 2020-2021: A Descriptive Study

High-frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Accelerates onset Time of Beneficial Treating Effects and Improves Clinical Symptoms of Depression.

In recent years, more and more patients with depression demonstrate suicidal intention and suicidal behavior. To evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating depression with suicidal ideation. Eighty-nine depression patients with suicide intention were administrated drugs combined with four weeks of Active rTMS (n=40) or sham (n=49) rTMS treatment. The 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-24) and Self-rating Idea of Suicide Scale (SIOSS) were used to evaluate suicide risk and depression severity at baseline, weeks 2 and 4. A 25% reduction in HAMD-24 score from baseline was defined as treatment response. More than a 20% reduction in HAMD-24 score from baseline within the first 2 weeks of treatment was defined as an early improvement. No statistical significance was found for baseline sociodemographic and illness characteristics between the two groups (P >0.05). There was a significant difference for HAMD-24 and SIOSS scores between the two groups at weeks 2 and 4. Active rTMS group demonstrated a more significant score reduction compared to the Sham rTMS group at weeks 2 and 4. There was a significantly greater number of patients with early improvement observed in the Active rTMS group compared to those in the Sham rTMS group at weeks 2 (P <0.05). There was a significant difference in responder rates between the two groups at weeks 4 for HAMD-24 scores (P <0.05). rTMS could accelerate the onset time of beneficial treating effects and improve clinical symptoms of depression. During the treatment course, cognitive disorder, sleep disorder, anxiety/ somatization, retardation, and hopelessness symptoms were improved dramatically, and suicidal ideation was reduced.

P-687 Sleep parameters and sleep disorders in male and female subjects presenting idiopathic infertility: the ALIFERT case-control study

Abstract Study question To evaluate the association between sleep parameters, sleep disorders and idiopathic infertility. Summary answer Some sleep parameters, such as bedtime, sleep latency and chronotypes, might be associated with male and female fertility. What is known already Some studies suggested that sleep might play an important role in reproductive health. Short sleep duration might interfere with the menstrual cycle, sperm parameters or natural fertility. The biological clock chronotype was found to be associated with fertility, with altered sperm parameters in the “evening” type and more reproductive troubles in the “intermediate” type when compared to the “morning” type. Irregular and night work schedules were also associated with some degree of fertility dysfunction, such as irregular menstrual cycles, a longer time to pregnancy, or male infertility. However, the interrelations between sleep and fertility are not fully elucidated. Study design, size, duration Fertile and infertile couples were recruited in the ALIFERT cross-sectional case–control multicentric study, between September 2009 and December 2013. The study group consisted of 94 infertile men and 95 infertile women, presenting with a primary idiopathic infertility of more than 12 months. The control group consisted in 85 fertile men and 86 fertile women who had a spontaneously conceived child under 2 years of age with a time to pregnancy less than 12 months. Participants/materials, setting, methods Male and female participants answered the French version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, including questions about sleep timing and duration and symptoms of sleep disorders. Sleep parameters were compared between infertile and fertile participants for each sex, and between partners. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to compare differences in sleep parameters due to a non-normal distribution, and the Fisher's exact test was used for qualitative variables. Main results and the role of chance Bedtime was significantly later for infertile compared to fertile male participants (p = 0.03). Infertile female participants had significantly later wake time, greater sleep latency and sleep apnea symptoms compared to fertile female participants (p ≤ 0.02). Fertile participants of both sexes were more frequently moderate morning types compared to infertile participants (p ≤ 0.04). No differences were observed regarding total sleep time, time spent in bed, sleep efficacy, insomnia, hypersomnia, or periodic leg movement symptoms. Infertile couples had more frequently different chronotypes than fertile couples (p = 0.02). Differences in wake time between partners were significantly greater among infertile couples (p &amp;lt; 0.01), but no differences were observed for bedtime, time spent in bed and total sleep time (p ≥ 0.22). Limitations, reasons for caution Sleep parameters were evaluated based on self-reported questionnaire. Further studies including objective measures of sleep will be needed to allow a more objective determination of sleep parameters. A discussion about mechanistic hypothesis should also be considered to better understand the links between sleep and fertility. Wider implications of the findings Sleep could be an original and innovative parameter to consider in the reproduction field. Further investigation is needed to elucidate how sleep and reproductive functions are interrelated and how sleep might constitute a useful modifiable target in infertility management. Trial registration number NCT01093378

Sleep Health Education to Promote Public Health: Attitudes and Desired Learning Goals among Social Work Students

ABSTRACT Social workers are often front line behavioral health providers for underserved populations, many of whom experience sleep disturbances. Inadequate sleep presents a public health challenge and is associated with many adverse physical health and mental health consequences. Social workers are uniquely positioned to promote sleep health among individuals experiencing health inequities. However, sleep is rarely included as part of the curricula in social work programs in the U.S. We conducted qualitative formative research to investigate social work students’ perceptions of sleep education and desired sleep learning objectives. Twenty-five social work students were recruited via a listserv e-mail to participate in one of three focus groups. Participants believed sleep education could be beneficial in promoting client health and well-being. Desired learning goals included: (1) the importance of sleep; (2) identify symptoms of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders; (3) environmental and lifestyle factors that impact sleep; (4) behaviors to promote optimal sleep; and (5) sleep health as it relates to special populations (e.g., homelessness, substance using). Social work students expressed a desire to aquire knowledge on sleep health promotion as part of the social work curricula. Sleep education could be of considerable relevance to social work students, practitioners, and the clients they serve.