Sleep quality affects cognitive functioning in returning combat veterans beyond combat exposure, PTSD, and mild TBI history.

AbstractCOVID-19 took a heavy toll on older adults. In Belgium, by the end of August, 93% of deaths due to COVID-19 were aged 65 or older. Similar trends were observed in other countries. As a consequence, older adults were identified as a group at risk, and strict governmental restrictions were imposed on them. This has caused concerns about their mental health. Using an online survey, this study established the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults aged 65 years or older, and which factors moderate this impact. Participants reported a significant decrease in activity level, sleep quality and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression was strongly related to reported declines in activity level, sleep quality, wellbeing and cognitive functioning. Our study shows that the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health of older adults. This implies that this group at risk requires attention of governments and healthcare.

Download Full-text

Subjectively and Objectively Measured Sleep Predict Differing Aspects of Cognitive Functioning in Adults

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acz017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (7) ◽

pp. 1127-1137 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

John P K Bernstein ◽

Alyssa DeVito ◽

Matthew Calamia

Keyword(s):

Executive Functioning ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Cognitive Domain ◽

Subjective Sleep Quality ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Subjective Sleep ◽

Complex Cognition ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Conceptual Flexibility

Abstract Objective To examine associations between subjectively-reported sleep and objectively-measured sleep (i.e., actigraphy) with different domains of cognitive functioning, and determine whether age may moderate these associations. Method In this cross-sectional study, a total of 489 participants (mean age = 45.4 years; SD = 18.8) completed a self-reported sleep measure and one week of actigraphy. Participants also completed a battery of cognitive tests measuring episodic memory, social cognition, executive functioning, and complex cognition (i.e., reasoning, visuospatial, and language abilities). Results Multiple regression analyses revealed that greater objective sleep quality and longer onset latencies were both associated with better performance on measures of conceptual flexibility. In contrast, subjective sleep quality was not associated with performance in any cognitive domain after accounting for objective sleep variables. Age moderated sleep–cognition relationships in differing ways based on cognitive domain and facet of sleep assessed. For example, whereas poorer subjective sleep quality was associated with poorer complex cognition in younger, but not older adults, poorer objective sleep quality was associated with poorer conceptual flexibility in older, but not younger adults. Conclusions Objectively-measured and self-reported sleep are associated with differing aspects of executive functioning, with the latter related to executive functioning broadly and the former associated with conceptual flexibility in particular. Age moderates sleep–cognition relationships differentially depending on the method by which sleep quality and quantity are measured.

Download Full-text

Validation of the MCMI-III PTSD Scale among Combat Veterans

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1997.80.3.720 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 80 (3) ◽

pp. 720-722 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lee Hyer ◽

Stephanie Boyd ◽

Ellen Stanger ◽

Harry Davis ◽

Paul Walters

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Combat Veterans ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Combat Exposure ◽

Response Style ◽

Self Report ◽

Ptsd Treatment ◽

Mississippi Scale ◽

Ptsd Scale ◽

The Impact

The new MCMI-III Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) scale was validated on 104 combat veterans who were divided into two groups, PTSD Treatment Group and Non-PTSD Treatment Group. PTSD status was carefully determined by clinical interview and therapists' reports. The Combat Exposure Scale, the Mississippi Scale for Combat-related PTSD, and the Impact of Events Scale were also given. Analysis showed that the MCMI-III PTSD scale had a low internal consistency, but that it significantly differentiated the two groups and significantly correlated to those on other PTSD self-report scales. This scale appeared to be influenced by an acquiescent response style. Further validation studies are needed.

Download Full-text

Aggression among combat veterans: Relationships with combat exposure and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, dysphoria, and anxiety

Journal of Traumatic Stress ◽

10.1002/jts.20197 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 135-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Casey T. Taft ◽

Dawne S. Vogt ◽

Amy D. Marshall ◽

Jillian Panuzio ◽

Barbara L. Niles

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Combat Veterans ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Combat Exposure

Download Full-text

Poor Sleep Quality Diminishes Cognitive Functioning Independent of Depression and Anxiety in Healthy Young Adults

The Clinical Neuropsychologist ◽

10.1080/13854046.2012.658439 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 214-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Andreana Benitez ◽

John Gunstad

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Poor Sleep Quality

Download Full-text

Atrocities exposure in Vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: Relationship to combat exposure, symptom severity, guilt, and interpersonal violence

Journal of Traumatic Stress ◽

10.1023/a:1024453618638 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 777-785 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Jean C. Beckham ◽

Michelle E. Feldman ◽

Angela C. Kirby

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Interpersonal Violence ◽

Combat Veterans ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Combat Exposure ◽

Vietnam Combat Veterans

Download Full-text

Combat veterans with comorbid PTSD and mild TBI exhibit a greater inhibitory processing ERP from the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex

Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging ◽

10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.07.010 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 224 (1) ◽

pp. 58-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

I-Wei Shu ◽

Julie A. Onton ◽

Ryan M. O’Connell ◽

Alan N. Simmons ◽

Scott C. Matthews

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Combat Veterans ◽

Cingulate Cortex ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Mild Tbi

Download Full-text

0842 The Moderating Effects of Sleep and Sex on Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning in African Americans

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.838 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A320-A321

Author(s):

B Beard ◽

M Ramirez-Ruiz ◽

D T Mwendwa ◽

R Sims Wright

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

African Americans ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Verbal Fluency ◽

Significant Interaction ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Positive Effects ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Introduction Research suggests modifiable lifestyle behaviors are associated with delayed cognitive decline. Identifying modifiable lifestyle behaviors in African Americans is critical because they are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. Evidence shows the positive effects of physical activity (PA) on cognitive functioning. Sleep quality also impacts cognitive functioning. Therefore, the purpose of this study examined how sleep quality and sex moderated the relationship between PA and cognitive functioning in African Americans. Methods A sample of 147 African Americans (mean age 59) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI) and a battery of cognitive tests (The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) Verbal Fluency Test, The Stroop Color Word Test and Trail Making Test). Participants completed a participant screener to determine PA frequency and intensity. Anthropomorphic measures were also obtained. A moderated moderation analysis was conducted. Results Poor sleep quality was associated with poorer performance on a verbal fluency task after controlling for age, BMI and years of education (B=-1.37, p=.012). There was a significant interaction between PA frequency and sleep quality on verbal fluency performance (B=0.42, p=.047). Additionally, there was a significant interaction between sleep quality and sex on verbal fluency performance (B=0.80, p=.016). Further adjustments revealed significant conditional effects such that more frequent PA per week improved verbal fluency performance among women, who reported better sleep quality (B=0.20, p=0.03). Conclusion The current study suggests sleep quality strengthens the relationship between PA and cognitive performance, specifically in African-American women. Consistent with previous studies, our findings support the need to target sleep quality and PA in women as modifiable lifestyle factors that may delay cognitive decline. Support This research was funded by the Office of the Provost at Howard University.

Download Full-text