scholarly journals Heart Rate Variability, Sleep Quality, and Depression in the Context of Chronic Stress

Author(s):  
Chelsea da Estrela ◽  
Jennifer McGrath ◽  
Linda Booij ◽  
Jean-Philippe Gouin

Abstract Background Disrupted sleep quality is one of the proposed mechanisms through which chronic stress may lead to depression. However, there exist significant individual differences in sleep reactivity, which is the extent to which one experiences sleep disturbances in response to stress. Purpose The aim of the current study was to investigate whether low high-frequency heart rate variability (HRV), as a psychophysiological marker of poor emotional and physiological arousal regulation, predicts stress-related sleep disturbances associated with greater risk of depression symptoms. Methods Using a chronic caregiving stress model, 125 mothers of adolescents with developmental disorders and 97 mothers of typically developing adolescents had their resting HRV and HRV reactivity recorded and completed a measure of depressive symptoms, as well as a 7 day sleep diary to assess their sleep quality. A moderated mediation model tested whether sleep quality mediated the association between chronic stress exposure and depressive symptoms and whether HRV moderated this mediation. Results After controlling for participant age, body mass index, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and employment status, poor sleep quality mediated the association between chronic stress and depressive symptoms. Resting HRV moderated this indirect effect such that individuals with lower HRV were more likely to report poorer sleep quality in the context of chronic stressor exposure, which, in turn, was related to greater depressive symptoms. Conclusions Lower HRV, a potential biomarker of increased sleep reactivity to stress, is associated with greater vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbances, which, in turn, increases the risk for elevated depressive symptoms in response to chronic stress.

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiansheng Guo ◽  
Tiehong Su ◽  
Haoran Xiao ◽  
Rong Xiao ◽  
Zhongju Xiao

There have been numerous studies on the relationship between sleep and depression, as well as the relationship between sleep and depression, and heart rate variability (HRV), respectively. Even so, few studies have combined 24-h HRV analysis to study sleep quality and depressive symptoms. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between depressed symptoms, sleep quality, and 24-h HRV in medical students. The particiants were all students at a medical university in Guangdong province, China. A total of 74 college students participated. They were asked to complete a questionnaire that included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and 24-h ECG monitoring. The results showed that 41.7% of the medical students had poor sleep quality, with higher levels of depressive symptoms and more negative emotions, and there was no difference in 24-h HRV indices between the low PSQI group and the high one. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between sleep quality and depressive symptoms (r = 0.617), but the relationship between 24-h HRV indices and PSQI global scores, BDI scores were not significant. However, the correlation analysis of PSQI components and 24-h HRV showed that sleep disturbance was significantly negatively correlated with SDNN and LF in waking period (r = −0.285, −0.235), and with SDNN in sleeping period (r = −0.317). In general, the sleep disturbance in PSQI components can sensitively reflect the relationship between sleep quality and 24-h HRV of medical students. Individuals with higher sleep disturance may have lower SDNN during awake period and bedtime period, and lower LF in awake period. Twenty-four hour HRV has certain application value in clinical sleep quality monitoring, and its sensitivity and specificity in clinical application and daily life are still worth further investigation.


Lupus ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (13) ◽  
pp. 1350-1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Palagini ◽  
C Tani ◽  
R M Bruno ◽  
A Gemignani ◽  
M Mauri ◽  
...  

Objectives Sleep disturbances are frequently observed in rheumatic diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of insomnia, poor sleep quality and their determinants in a cohort of SLE patients. Methods Eighty-one consecutive SLE female patients were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were administered. Patients with previous diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome were excluded. Fifty-three women with hypertension (without SLE) were enrolled as control group (H). Results In the SLE cohort poor sleep quality (65.4% vs 39.6%, p < 0.01) and difficulty in maintaining sleep and/or early morning awakening (65.4% vs 22.6%, p < 0.001), but not insomnia (33.3% vs 22.6%, p = ns), were more prevalent than in H. Depressive symptoms were present in 34.6% of SLE vs 13.2% H patients ( p < 0.001) while state anxiety was more common in H patients (H 35.8% vs SLE 17.3%, p < 0.005). SLE was associated with a 2.5-times higher probability of presenting poor sleep quality in comparison to H (OR 2.5 [CI 1.21–5.16]). After adjusting for confounders, both depressive symptoms (OR 4.4, [1.4–14.3]) and use of immunosuppressive drugs (OR 4.3 [CI 1.3–14.8]) were significantly associated with poor sleep quality in SLE patients. Furthermore, poor sleep quality was not associated either with disease duration or activity. Conclusions In a cohort of SLE women, insomnia and poor sleep quality, especially difficulties in maintaining sleep, were common. Depressive symptoms might be responsible for the higher prevalence of poor sleep quality in SLE.


Author(s):  
Hsiu-Chin Hsu ◽  
Hsiu-Fang Lee ◽  
Mei-Hsiang Lin

The quality of nurses’ work has a direct effect on patient health, and poor sleep has been positively associated with nurses’ medical errors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between quality of sleep and heart rate variability (HRV) among female nurses. A descriptive cross-sectional correlational study design was used in January 2014 to study female nurses (n = 393) employed in a medical center in Taiwan. Data were obtained from several questionnaires. HRV was analyzed with five-minute recordings of heart rate signals obtained using a Heart Rater SA-3000P. Approximately 96% of the participants self-reported a poor quality of sleep. Compared to non-shift nurses, significant decreases were found in total power (TP) and low-frequency HRV among shift-work nurses. However, negative correlations were found between sleep quality and HRV, including total power, low frequency, and the low frequency/high frequency ratio (r = −0.425, p < 0.05; r = −0.269, −0.266, p < 0.05). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, 23.1% of variance in quality of sleep can be explained by TP and heart rate. The sleep quality of female nurses was poor and this affected their autonomic nervous system, which can contribute unfavorable consequences for their health.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 1827-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Cupidi ◽  
Sabrina Realmuto ◽  
Gianluca Lo Coco ◽  
Antonio Cinturino ◽  
Simona Talamanca ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground: Knowledge about sleep complaints of caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) is limited, and we lack information about the relationship between caregivers’ sleep problems and their quality of life (QoL).Methods: We evaluated subjective sleep quality and its relationship to QoL in a group of 80 caregivers of patients with AD (ADCG, n = 40) and PD (PDCG, n = 40), and in 150 controls. Information about night-time complaints was collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). QoL was measured using the McGill QoL Questionnaire.Results: Eighteen ADCG (45%), 22 PDCG (55%), and 45 (30%) controls reported poor sleep quality. Mean global PSQI score of PDCG (6.25 ± 3.9) was not significantly different from that of ADCG (5.8 ± 3.5; p = 0.67). However, both PDCG and ADCG scored significantly higher than control group (4.3 ± 3.1; p < 0.01). ADCG frequently reported difficulties falling asleep (72.5%) and disturbed sleep (100%). PDCG reported reduced subjective sleep quality (80%) and increased sleep disturbances (100%). Poor sleep quality was associated with depressive symptoms and correlated with QoL in caregivers of both groups, particularly the psychological symptoms domain.Conclusions: Among caregivers of patients with AD and PD, poor sleep quality is frequent and significantly linked to QoL and depressive symptoms. Identifying the nature of sleep disturbances not only in patients but also in their caregivers is important as appropriate treatment may lead to a better management of the needs of families coping with these patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 936-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Carrillo-Mora ◽  
Verónica Pérez-De la Cruz ◽  
Berenice Estrada-Cortés ◽  
Paola Toussaint-González ◽  
José Antonio Martínez-Cortéz ◽  
...  

Background Poststroke depression (PSD) is related to adverse functional and cognitive prognosis in stroke patients. The participation of kynurenine pathway metabolites in depression has been previously proposed; however, there are few studies on its role in PSD and disability in stroke. Objective To investigate if there is a correlation between serum kynurenines levels with poststroke anxiety and depression symptoms and disability scales. Methods A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted in patients with first stroke, of >1 month and <1 year of evolution, with no history of previous psychiatric or neurological disorders; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), functional evaluations (Barthel index, Functional Independence Measure [FIM]) were applied and serum kynurenines (Kyns) were determined. Results Sixty patients were included; significant depressive symptoms were found in 63% of the cases; a significant and positive correlation was obtained between levels of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) with HADS-T ( r = 0.30, P = .025) and HADS-D ( r = 0.28, P = .039). Depressed patients showed significantly higher levels of 3HK ( P = .048) and KYNA ( P = .0271) than nondepressed patients; the 3HK levels were inversely correlated with functional scales: Barthel index ( r = −0.31, P = .02), FIM ( r = −0.40, P = .01); in addition, serum 3HK levels were significantly higher in patients with poor sleep quality ( P = .0190). Conclusions Serum Kyns show correlation with the presence and severity of depressive symptoms and with the disability and sleep quality. Kyns may be a potential marker of depression risk and disability in stroke in future.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A65-A66
Author(s):  
Noor Nasseri ◽  
Hanna Lagman ◽  
Katharine Simon ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Sara Mednick

Abstract Introduction Resonant breathing (RB) biofeedback increases rhythmic heart-respiration coherence patterns and has been associated with improved emotional wellbeing, physiological health, and sleep quality (Lehrer et al, 2000). Sleep quality declines with age, which leads to emotion dysregulation, cognitive impairment, and poor physical health (Crowley, 2011). However, limited research has investigated the sleep characteristics of older adults who practice RB-biofeedback. Therefore, our study investigates this population’s sleep characteristics, emotional stability, and physical health. Methods Thirty-one healthy participants (24 Female; M=54.68 years, SD=9.74) who self-identified as RB-biofeedback experts completed a series of online questionnaires assessing history, frequency, and duration of practice, sleep (habits and quality), physical activity (frequency, duration, and intensity), and mood (depression symptoms). They also reported their typical coherence level achieved, which is a numerical composite value associated with the heart rhythm’s uniform sine-wave pattern at approximately .1HZ (McCraty et al., 2010). Results Using bivariate correlations, we found that poor sleep quality was positively correlated with stress (r = .954, p = .001), poor sleep hygiene (r = .591, p &lt; .001), severe sleepiness (r = .518, p = .003), emotion dysregulation (r = .511, p = .004), depressive symptoms (r = .089, p &lt; .001), and negatively correlated with subjective happiness (r = .511, p &lt; .003). Severe sleepiness was negatively correlated with older adults’ enhanced physical fitness (r = .612, p &lt; .001), and poor sleep hygiene was positively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = .503, p = .004). We found no significant correlations between coherence level, mood, physical activity, or sleep measures. Conclusion We found significant associations between healthy sleep habits and emotional wellbeing. Those with better sleep quality and more positive sleep habits also had fewer depression symptoms. Moreover, those categorized as more athletic reported lower levels of severe sleepiness, suggesting that physical activity may be a protective factor for sleep in older adults. We did not find a relation between coherence level and sleep, or physical activity. These null results may be due to the high expertise level of the subject sample. Future studies should compare results to older adults who do not practice RB-biofeedback. Support (if any) Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program


Author(s):  
Bernhard Grässler ◽  
Milos Dordevic ◽  
Fabian Herold ◽  
Sabine Darius ◽  
Corinna Langhans ◽  
...  

Sleep problems can be caused by psychological stress but are also related to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Improving lifestyle behaviors, such as good sleep hygiene, can help to counteract the negative effects of neurodegenerative diseases and to improve quality of life. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between subjectively reported measures of sleep quality (via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)) and objective measures of cardiac autonomic control (via resting state heart rate variability (HRV)) among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The PSQI and resting state HRV data of 42 MCI participants (69.0 ± 5.5; 56–80 years) were analyzed. Nineteen of the participants reported poor sleep quality (PSQI score > 5). Good sleepers showed higher resting heart rate than bad sleepers (p = 0.037; ES = 0.670). Correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between the parameter HF nu and sleep efficiency, contrasting the expected positive association between reduced HRV and poor sleep quality in healthy and individuals with specific diseases. Otherwise, there were no significances, indicating that measures of subjective sleep quality and resting HRV were not related in the present sample of MCI participants. Further research is needed to better understand the complex relationship between HRV and lifestyle factors (e.g., sleep) in MCI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba Saadeh ◽  
Maha Saadeh ◽  
Wesam Almobaideen ◽  
Assem Al Refaei ◽  
Nour Shewaikani ◽  
...  

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the effect of COVID-19 home quarantine and its lifestyle challenges on the sleep quality and mental health of a large sample of undergraduate University students in Jordan. It is the first study applied to the Jordanian population. The aim was to investigate how quarantine for several weeks changed the students' habits and affected their mental health.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random representative sample of 6,157 undergraduate students (mean age 19.79 ± 1.67 years, males 28.7%) from the University of Jordan through voluntarily filling an online questionnaire. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to assess sleep quality and depressive symptoms, respectively.Results: The PSQI mean score for the study participants was 8.1 ± 3.6. The sleep quality of three-quarters of the participants was negatively affected by the extended quarantine. Nearly half of the participants reported poor sleep quality. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among participants was 76% (males: 71.5% and females: 77.8%). Similarly, the prevalence of the depressive symptoms was 71% (34% for moderate and 37% for high depressive symptoms), with females showing higher prevalence than males. The overall mean CES-D score for the group with low depressive symptoms is 9.3, for the moderate group is 19.8, while it is 34.3 for the high depressive symptoms group. More than half of the students (62.5%) reported that the quarantine had a negative effect on their mental health. Finally, females, smokers, and students with decreased income levels during the extended quarantine were the common exposures that are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms.Conclusions: Mass and extended quarantine succeeded in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus; however, it comes with a high cost of potential psychological impacts. Most of the students reported that they suffer from sleeping disorders and had a degree of depressive symptoms. Officials should provide psychological support and clear guidance to help the general public to reduce these potential effects and overcome the quarantine period with minimum negative impacts.


SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A312-A312
Author(s):  
S Tsai ◽  
P Lee ◽  
C Gordon ◽  
E Cayanan ◽  
C Lee

Abstract Introduction Sleep disturbances are one of the most frequent complaints identified during routine prenatal care visits. Sleep and mood disturbances are often intertwined, and depression in particular is a leading cause of disability and disease burden worldwide. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive association of objective actigraphic and subjective sleep disturbances with depressive symptoms in pregnant women. Methods We recruited 204 first-trimester pregnant women from a large university-affiliated hospital. They provided baseline socio-demographic and health information, wore a wrist actigraph for 7 days, and completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression Scale and repeated this again in the second and third trimesters. Each data collection was scheduled at least 8 weeks apart. Unadjusted and multivariable adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate sleep disturbances at 1st trimester and risk of high depressive symptoms at follow-up. Results A total of 121 (59.3%) women had actigraphic sleep efficiency of &lt; 85% and 92 (45.1%) had Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global scores &gt; 5 indicative of poor sleep quality. In multivariable adjusted models, 1st trimester objectively measured sleep efficiency &lt; 85% was associated with 2.65-, 3.86-, and 5.27-fold increased odds having risk of high depressive symptoms at 2nd trimester, 3rd trimester, and both 2nd and 3rd trimesters, respectively. No subjective sleep disturbance variables were significantly associated with risk of high depressive symptoms in multivariate adjusted models. Conclusion Objectively assessed poor sleep efficiency in the 1st trimester plays a crucial role in the development of both elevated and persistent high depressive symptoms in pregnancy. Future studies using objective sleep measurements and clinical diagnostic interviews are warranted to examine whether early interventions to improve sleep may help reduce high depressive symptom risk and lower depression rates in women during pregnancy. Support This study was funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST-101-2314-B-002-049-MY3).


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