Sleep and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Abstract

In this review, we combined studies that evaluated the relationship between sleep during the pandemic and the increased incidence of mental disorders, primarily anxiety disorders, since outbreaks of infectious diseases are associated with triggering psychological distress and changes in the quality and quantity of sleep. Method: This study used an integrative review to critically and coherently analyze the changes resulting from COVID-19 in sleep and mental health. For this purpose, a review of the last 5 years was carried out in the LILACS, Scielo, and Pubmed databases using the descriptors “sleep”, “sleep disorders”, “anxiety”, “epidemics”, “pandemics” and “COVID-19". Final Considerations: In short, during the pandemic, serious alterations in the biological rhythm, and chronotype of sleep habits of university students, health professionals, and the population in general, with an intense prevalence of anxiety disorder. Thus, this study suggests that the psychological impact of quarantine is broad, substantial, and can be long-lasting. In addition, the need for more research focusing on this theme was evident, to identify the obstacles and consequences of social restriction and thus develop effective strategies that improve the quality and quantity of sleep and the mental health of the population.