Impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on sleep

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in daily routines and lifestyle worldwide and mental health issues have emerged as a consequence. We aimed to assess the presence of sleep disturbances during the lockdown in the general population.Methods: Cross-sectional, online survey-based study on adults living through the COVID-19 pandemic.The questionnaire included demographics and specific questions assessing the impact of the pandemic/ lockdown on sleep, daytime functioning and mental health in the general population. Identification of sleep pattern changes and specific sleep-related symptoms was the primary outcome, and secondary outcomes involved identifying sleep disturbances for predefined cohorts (participants reporting impact on mental health, self-isolation, keyworker status, suspected COVID-19 or ongoing COVID-19 symptoms).Results: In total, 843 participants were included in the analysis. The majority were female (67.4%), middle aged [52 years (40-63 years)], white (92.2%) and overweight to obese [BMI 29.4 kg/m 2 (24.1-35.5 kg/m 2 )]; 69.4% reported a change in their sleep pattern, less than half (44.7%) had refreshing sleep, and 45.6% were sleepier than before the lockdown; 33.9% had to self-isolate, 65.2% reported an impact on their mental health and 25.9% were drinking more alcohol during the lockdown. More frequently reported observations specific to sleep were 'disrupted sleep' (42.3%), 'falling asleep unintentionally' (35.2%), 'difficulties falling'/'staying asleep' (30.9% and 30.8%, respectively) and 'later bedtimes' (30.0%). Respondents with suspected COVID-19 had more nightmares and abnormal sleep rhythms. An impact on mental health was strongly associated with sleep-related alterations.Conclusions: Sleep disturbances have affected a substantial proportion of the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. These are significantly associated with a self-assessed impact on mental health, but may also be related to suspected COVID-19 status, changes in habits and self-isolation.

Sleep quality and patterns of young West Balkan adults during the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

“…The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on sleep patterns has been confirmed by many studies 5 6 14 22–24. Although studies were conducted among different geographical and ethnic societies, with people of different ages and occupations, the common conclusion was that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affects sleep quality by changing subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction and by causing sleep disturbances and usage of sleeping medication 6 13 22–24. Our study results were in line with the results of the study by Yuksel et al that was conducted across 59 countries and confirmed increased sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic, with their different distributions among different gender groups, age groups and marital status 5…”

“…The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on sleep patterns has been confirmed by many studies 5 6 14 22–24. Although studies were conducted among different geographical and ethnic societies, with people of different ages and occupations, the common conclusion was that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affects sleep quality by changing subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction and by causing sleep disturbances and usage of sleeping medication 6 13 22–24.…”

“…Some studies also proposed an impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the central nervous system on wake–sleep cycle leading to sleep disorders 6. According to Perez-Carbonell et al , 70% of respondents had a change in their sleep pattern with difficulty falling or staying asleep, later bedtimes, the appearance of nightmares and getting sleepier than before the pandemic 24. This could be associated with higher alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic as a coping mechanism for anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, which further worsens them and puts them in a certain vicious cycle 13.…”

Nightmare content during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Influence of COVID‐related stress and sleep disruption in the United States

“…The COVID‐19 pandemic has affected sleep and dreams for many individuals and has been linked to changes in mental health, lifestyle habits and social interactions (Pérez‐Carbonell et al, 2020; Shillington et al, 2021). Insomnia severity during this time has been linked to suicide ideation (Killgore et al, 2020) and much of the anxiety and stress associated with health and general well‐being has played out in dreams and nightmares with pandemic‐related themes (Guerrero‐Gomez et al, 2021; MacKay & DeCicco, 2020; Mota et al, 2020; Ruby, 2021).…”

Worsening sleep predicts lower life space mobility during the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Sleep disturbances in older adults have been well‐documented during the COVID‐19 pandemic 1 . Recent studies have found significant changes in sleep complaints and sleep architecture during the pandemic, including a 37% increase in rates of insomnia, 2 changes in sleep duration and time spent during each sleep stage, 3 changes in sleep patterns, and difficulty achieving refreshing sleep 4 . Data from previous natural disasters and acutely stressful events (e.g., 9/11 terrorist attack, Oklahoma City bombing) show that subjectively‐measured sleep disturbance is common in response to stress 5 .…”