Are Sleep Problems Related to Psychological Distress in Healthy Aging during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Review

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, characterized by home confinement and other restrictive measures to reduce the spread of the infection, led to significant changes in people's habits and lifestyle. One of the most common problems is the worsening of sleep quality or quantity, which could have negative effects on psychological wellbeing, particularly in older adults. The purposes of the present literature review considering healthy aging subjects are (a) to examine the existing research on sleep alterations during the current pandemic and (b) to highlight possible relationships between sleep problems and psychological distress. A systematic search strategy was implemented according to PRISMA guidelines in the international literature online databases, up to 1 July 2021. After identification and screening phases, 11 articles were included in this review. The studies found possible associations between sleep problems and mood changes—particularly in terms of depression and anxiety. In addition, altered sleep patterns seemed to be related to changes in individual aspects, lifestyle, and attitudes adopted by older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown. Thus, the pandemic could affect the sleep and psychological wellbeing of the older population, even in healthy aging.

The Effects of COVID‐19 lockdown on neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…4,32 Finally, distress factors such as loneliness and anxiety, as well as the NPS itself, such as aggravating depression and anxiety, may also result in sleep disorders due to the covid-19 lockdown in patients. 43 It was observed that the worsening in NPS (especially anxiety) during quarantine was much greater in patients with mild dementia than in those with advanced dementia. 44 One possible explanation for this may be that subjects with relatively mild dementia may have undergone more radical changes in their lifestyle habits during quarantine than those with severe dementia, who are generally more home-bound and less active.…”

“…Third, the rapid cognitive deterioration in people living with dementia during the pandemic, the inability of these patients to adapt to new living conditions, and the inability of patients to continue their usual daily activities, may have led to the development of apathy and triggered depression 4,32 . Finally, distress factors such as loneliness and anxiety, as well as the NPS itself, such as aggravating depression and anxiety, may also result in sleep disorders due to the covid‐19 lockdown in patients 43 …”

“… 4 , 32 Finally, distress factors such as loneliness and anxiety, as well as the NPS itself, such as aggravating depression and anxiety, may also result in sleep disorders due to the covid‐19 lockdown in patients. 43 …”

Morbidities Worsening Index to Sleep in the Older Adults During COVID-19: Potential Moderators

“…This variability can be due to several aspects, such as the age category among the elders, as the younger group among older adults (60–70 years old) seems to have had the greatest impact on sleep ( Emerson, 2020 ). A review of sleep patterns and mood associations in older adults during the pandemic found many studies that reported important changes in sleep during this period, but also a few studies that found no changes in sleep in this population ( Cipriani et al, 2021 ).…”

Mediating Role of Psychological Capital in the Relationship Between Social Support and Self-Neglect Among Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…The Chinese population is aging at an unprecedented pace, and older population aged over 65 years will reach 336 million by 2050, accounting for one-third of the total Chinese population ( National Bureau of Statistics of China, 2017 ; Zhong et al, 2018 ). Alongside the increased aging population, self-neglect is becoming a prominent problem that challenges healthy aging ( Cipriani et al, 2021 ; Yu et al, 2021 ).…”