Natural Sleep Clinic, Jerusalem, Israel.
Psychology Department, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
J Clin Sleep Med. 2021 Jan 1;17(1):45-53. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.8800.
The stress imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing social isolation could adversely affect sleep. As sleep problems may persist and hurt health, it is important to identify which populations have experienced changes in sleeping patterns during the pandemic and their extent.
In Study 1, 3,062 responders from 49 countries accessed the survey website voluntarily between March 26 and April 26, 2020, and 2,562 (84%; age: 45.2 ± 14.5, 68% women) completed the study. In Study 2, 1,022 adult US responders were recruited for pay through Mechanical Turk, and 971 (95%; age 40.4 ± 13.6, 52% women) completed the study. The survey tool included demographics and items adapted from validated sleep questionnaires on sleep duration, quality and timing, and sleeping pills consumption.
In Study 1, 58% of the responders were unsatisfied with their sleep. Forty percent of the responders reported a decreased sleep quality vs before COVID-19 crisis. Self-reported sleeping pill consumption increased by 20% (P < .001). Multivariable analysis indicated that female sex, being in quarantine, and 31- to 45-years age group, reduced physical activity and adverse impact on livelihood were independently associated with more severe worsening of sleep quality during the pandemic. The majority of findings were reproduced in the independent cohort of Study 2.
Changes imposed due to the pandemic have led to a surge in individuals reporting sleep problems across the globe. The findings raise the need to screen for worsening sleep patterns and use of sleeping aids, especially in more susceptible populations, namely, women and people with insecure livelihoods subjected to social isolation.
COVID-19 大流行带来的压力以及随之而来的社会隔离可能会对睡眠产生不利影响。由于睡眠问题可能持续存在并损害健康，因此重要的是要确定在大流行期间哪些人群的睡眠模式发生了变化，以及变化的程度。
在研究 1 中，来自 49 个国家的 3062 名响应者于 2020 年 3 月 26 日至 4 月 26 日之间自愿访问了调查网站，其中 2562 人（84%；年龄：45.2 ± 14.5，68%为女性）完成了研究。在研究 2 中，通过 Mechanical Turk 付费招募了 1022 名美国成年响应者，其中 971 人（95%；年龄 40.4 ± 13.6，52%为女性）完成了研究。调查工具包括人口统计学信息和从经过验证的睡眠问卷中改编的有关睡眠持续时间、质量和时间以及安眠药使用情况的项目。
在研究 1 中，有 58%的响应者对自己的睡眠不满意。40%的响应者报告说，与 COVID-19 危机前相比，睡眠质量下降。自我报告的安眠药使用量增加了 20%（P <.001）。多变量分析表明，女性、被隔离以及 31 至 45 岁年龄组、体力活动减少以及对生计的不利影响与大流行期间睡眠质量恶化更严重独立相关。研究 2 的独立队列中重现了大多数发现。
大流行带来的变化导致全球范围内报告睡眠问题的人数激增。这些发现表明需要筛查睡眠模式恶化和使用安眠药的情况，尤其是在更易感的人群中，即女性和生计不稳定且受到社会隔离的人群。
