Changes in sleep pattern and sleep quality during COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

Introduction: To mitigate the spread of the pandemic coronavirus infection (COVID-19), governments across the world have adopted “lockdowns” which have confined many individuals to their homes. This disrupts normal life routines, elements of which are important circadian cues. The pandemic is also associated with new stressors, altered roles, and uncertainties about health and economic security, which are also likely to affect sleep. The current study is an online survey of sleep experience, routines, physical activity, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, to study the alterations associated with the lockdown. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted in early May 2020 using a questionnaire circulated through social media platforms. Questions related to demographic characteristics, current and previous sleep schedules, routine, and working patterns. Insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index - 4), Stress (Perceived Stress Scale - 4), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire - 4) and physical activity (International Physical Activities Questionnaire) were assessed using standardized instruments. Results: A total of 958 valid responses were received. Compared to the prelockdown period, there was a shift to a later bedtime and waking time, with a reduction in night-time sleep and an increase in day-time napping. These effects were visible across occupational groups, but mostly affected working individuals except health professionals. Sleep quality deteriorated across groups. Reductions in sleep duration were associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The COVID-19 lockdown is associated with changes in sleep schedule and in the quantity and quality of night-time sleep. Although these changes are associated with elevated rates of emotional symptoms, it is unclear from these cross-sectional results, whether sleep deterioration produces psychological distress, or vice versa.

Mental health of healthcare workers during early phase of COVID19: Variable performance on different factors of stress

“…There was no significant correlation between the factor insomnia and the three factors of perceived stress. This is consistent with Gupta et al 31 who found no significant difference in perceived stress among three different groups with varying levels of nighttime sleep duration after lockdown due to COVID19. It may be noted that insomnia can be caused by several other factors apart from stress.…”

Sleeping when the world locks down: Correlates of sleep health during the COVID-19 pandemic across 59 countries

“…, 11. , 17 and changes in sleep patterns 14 , 15 are common. The current findings extend those of these regional studies to show substantial changes in sleep behavior in a global general population sample.…”

“…, 13. and shifts in sleep patterns 14 , 15 in frontline health care workers and the general community. Also, there is preliminary evidence that depression and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic are elevated and potentially associated with poorer sleep quality (for a review see: 11 ).…”

A Cross-Cultural Exploratory Study of Health Behaviors and Wellbeing During COVID-19

“…Within the same survey, 49% of respondents reported feeling more anxious and depressed as a direct result of COVID-19. Gupta et al (2020) examined changes in sleep pattern and sleep quality during COVID-19 using a questionnaire distributed via social media platforms. Compared to the pre-lockdown period, all occupational groups (except health professionals) evidenced a shift to a later bedtime, a reduction in night-time sleep, an increase in day-time napping, and a deterioration in sleep quality.…”