Sleep Patterns during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Spain

Abstract

Background: To mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, governments around the world adopted exceptional lockdown measures. This led to the disruption of normal life routines, including sleep. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in sleep patterns and subjective variables of sleep quality before and during lockdown. Methods: A sample of 1673 Spanish adults (30% men; 82% of the total were between 21 and 50 years of age) was evaluated. The following sleep variables were evaluated: Sleep latency, sleep time, number and duration of awakenings, sleep satisfaction, daytime sleepiness, and the manifestation of symptoms related to sleep problems. Results: Although 45% of people changed their sleep schedules (resulting in 42% sleeping longer during lockdown), sleep quality (37.6% worse), daytime sleepiness (28% worse), number of awakenings (36.9% more), and duration of awakenings (45% longer) were markedly worse. Statistical analyses indicated significant differences in all the evaluated sleep variables before and during lockdown in both men and women. Women reported less sleep satisfaction, and more symptoms related to sleep problems than men. Conclusions: A deterioration in the sleep patterns of the Spanish population, especially women, because of the lockdown declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Physical activity, sleep, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A one-year longitudinal study of Spanish university students

“…In our sample, sleep time increased during home confinement, which was in line with the results of previous studies [ 65 ], including those performed in Spanish populations [ 66 ]. This increase has been associated with later wake-up times [ 21 , 67 ], perhaps because students did not have to get up early to go to campus for classes during home confinement.…”

“…Students reported poorer sleep quality during confinement compared to pre-pandemic. The same tendency was found in a sample of Spanish adults [ 66 ]. However, the sleep of young adults, including university students, seems to have been impacted more than in other populations [ 20 , 21 ] due to their specific characteristics and the external stressors related to the pandemic such as campus closures, lack of contact with friends, or fear of being infected [ 22 ].…”

Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on sleep parameters and characteristics in individuals living with overweight and obesity

“…Female patients were more likely to have a decreased amount of sleep compared with males. In other studies, the subjective quality of sleep, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index significantly deteriorated during the COVID‐19 pandemic, especially among women and in adults ≥50 years 44–46 …”

“…42 women and in adults ≥50 years. [44][45][46] T A B L E 6 Impact of CPAP on sleep quality, demographics and pandemic impact (survey vs. clinical samples as covariate). Comparing those sleeping less, the same or more on measures of anxiety and depression showed group differences.…”

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and sleep quality in the Chinese general populations during sporadic and outbreak periods

“…This finding is consistent with the results of a study. [51][52][53][54] Possible reasons for this are that sleep architecture and quality differ in males and females, with females having an overall better sleep quality [55] but higher symptoms of insomnia. [56] Consistent with other studies that people who are infected with COVID-19 have a poorer sleep quality compared to those not infected with COVID-19.…”