scholarly journals Sleep quality, mental health and circadian rhythms during COVID lockdown – Results from the SleepQuest Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Carrigan ◽  
Alfie Wearn ◽  
Saba Meky ◽  
James Selman ◽  
Hugh D. Piggins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Early Exercise ◽  
Psychological Stressors ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Daylight Exposure

AbstractBehavioural responses to COVID-19 lockdown will define the long-term impact of psychological stressors on sleep and brain health. Here we tease apart factors that help protect against sleep disturbance. We capitalise on the unique restrictions during COVID-19 to understand how time of day of daylight exposure and outside exercise interact with chronotype and sleep quality. 3474 people from the UK (median age 62, range 18-91) completed our online ‘SleepQuest’ Study between 29th April and 13th May 2020 – a set of validated questionnaires probing sleep quality, depression, anxiety and attitudes to sleep alongside bespoke questions on the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on sleep, time spent outside and exercising and self-help sleep measures. Significantly more people (n=1252) reported worsened than improved sleep (n=562) during lockdown (p<0.0001). Factors significantly associated with worsened sleep included low mood (p<0.001), anxiety (p<0.001) and suspected, proven or at risk of COVID-19 symptoms (all p<0.03). Sleep improvement was related to the increased length of time spent outside (P<0.01). Older people’s sleep quality was less affected than younger people by COVID lockdown (p<0.001). Better sleep quality was associated with going outside and exercising earlier, rather than later, in the day. However, the benefit of being outside early is driven by improved sleep in ‘owl’ (p=0.0002) and not ‘lark’ (p=0.27) chronotype, whereas, the benefit of early exercise (inside or outside) did not depend on chronotype. Defining the interaction between chronotype, mental health and behaviour will be critical for targeted lifestyle adaptations to protect brain health through current and future crises.

scholarly journals 673 Did the COVID-19 pandemic increase insomnia?

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A263-A263
Author(s):  
Neil Stanley ◽  
Alison Gardiner ◽  
Nicola Sunter
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
Total Sleep Time ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 has been an unprecedented health event with far-reaching health and economic consequences. There have been numerous surveys published that have suggested that insomnia has increased during the pandemic. However, there have been no comparisons of data from the pandemic with that from other years. Here we present baseline data from people signing up to an online CBTi course to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on sleep. Methods We investigated the difference in age; diary-reported Sleep Efficiency (SE%) and Total Sleep Time (TST); sleep quality and disturbances as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS); between the first wave of COVID-19 in the UK (1st March -31st July 2020) as compared to the same period in 2019. Results In 2019 n=2231 patients were assessed as compared to n=6173 in 2020. There were no significant differences in the age of the two cohorts (47.1 years v 46.3 years, NS). SE% was significantly lower in the 2019 cohort (66% v 67.6, p &lt;0.001) as was their total sleep time (5.71 hrs v 6.05 hrs, p&lt;0.0001). PSQI scores were also higher in 2019 (13.13 v 12.72. p&lt;0.0001). The level of daytime sleepiness was lower in the 2019 cohort (5.4 v 5.6 p &lt;0.001) Conclusion Our results show that there was no evidence of an increase in the severity of sleep disturbance during the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK in contrast to what numerous surveys have suggested. Indeed, we found that people signing up to Sleepstation’s online dCBTi course during the 1st wave of the pandemic had statistically significant better subjective sleep, although they had a higher level of daytime sleepiness than those in the same period a year previously. Although statistically significant, our results do not demonstrate a clinically relevant difference between the two cohorts. It is also interesting that despite the age-related impact of COVID-19, there was no significant difference in the age of the patients. Thus, in contrast to the survey data, we found no evidence for a worsening of sleep during the 1st wave of the pandemic. Support (if any):

scholarly journals Acute transient psychotic disorder precipitated by Brexit vote

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. e232363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Zia Ul Haq Katshu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Contributory Factor ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Major Work ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Psychological Stressors ◽  
Political Events ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
The Uk

A man in his 40s was brought to the accident and emergency department in an acute psychotic state, 3 weeks after the European Union referendum results in the UK were declared. His mental health had deteriorated rapidly following the announcement of the results, with significant concerns about Brexit. He presented as agitated, confused and thought disordered. He had auditory hallucinations, and paranoid, referential, misidentification and bizarre delusions. He recovered completely within 2 weeks after a brief admission and treatment with olanzapine. He had experienced a similar episode of much less severity 13 years previously after major work related stress which resolved completely within a few days. He was experiencing stress related to work and family prior to the current episode which could potentially have been a contributory factor. Political events can act as major psychological stressors and have a significant impact on the mental health of people, especially those with a predisposition to develop mental illness.

scholarly journals Sleep–wake and melatonin pattern in craniopharyngioma patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 170 (6) ◽  
pp. 873-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Line Pickering ◽  
Poul Jennum ◽  
Steen Gammeltoft ◽  
Lars Poulsgaard ◽  
Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
General Health ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mental Fatigue ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Impaired Sleep

ObjectiveTo assess the influence of craniopharyngioma or consequent surgery on melatonin secretion, and the association with fatigue, sleepiness, sleep pattern and sleep quality.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsA total of 15 craniopharyngioma patients were individually matched to healthy controls. In this study, 24-h salivary melatonin and cortisol were measured. Sleep–wake patterns were characterised by actigraphy and sleep diaries recorded for 2 weeks. Sleepiness, fatigue, sleep quality and general health were assessed by Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Short-Form 36.ResultsPatients had increased mental fatigue, daytime dysfunction, sleep latency and lower general health (all,P≤0.05), and they tended to have increased daytime sleepiness, general fatigue and impaired sleep quality compared with controls. The degree of hypothalamic injury was associated with an increased BMI and lower mental health (P=0.01). High BMI was associated with increased daytime sleepiness, daytime dysfunction, mental fatigue and lower mental health (all,P≤0.01). Low midnight melatonin was associated with reduced sleep time and efficiency (P≤0.03) and a tendency for increased sleepiness, impaired sleep quality and physical health. Midnight melatonin remained independently related to sleep time after adjustment for cortisol. Three different patterns of melatonin profiles were observed; normal (n=6), absent midnight peak (n=6) and phase-shifted peak (n=2). Only patients with absent midnight peak had impaired sleep quality, increased daytime sleepiness and general and mental fatigue.ConclusionCraniopharyngioma patients present with changes in circadian pattern and daytime symptoms, which may be due to the influence of the craniopharyngioma or its treatment on the hypothalamic circadian and sleep regulatory nuclei.

Heterogeneous Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19: Costs and Benefits

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony D Mancini
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Substantial Variation ◽  
Mental Health Functioning ◽  
Health Functioning ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mental Health Costs ◽  
Long Term Impact

In this commentary, I argue that the mental health impact of COVID-19 will show substantial variation across individuals, contexts, and time. Further, one key contributor to this variation will be the proximal and long-term impact of COVID-19 on the social environment. In addition to the mental health costs of the pandemic, it is likely that a subset of people will experience improved social and mental health functioning.

A positive psychology study and intervention on the well-being of French PhD students in biology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Marais ◽  
Rebecca Shankland ◽  
Pascale Haag ◽  
Robin Fiault ◽  
Bridget Juniper
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Reference Sample ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Human Costs ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Control ◽  
Health And Well Being

In France, little data are available on mental health and well-being in academia, and nothing has been published about PhD students. From studies abroad, we know that doing a PhD is a difficult experience resulting in high attrition rates with significant financial and human costs. Here we focused on PhD students in biology at university Lyon 1. A first study aimed at measuring the mental health and well-being of PhD students using several generalist and PhD-specific tools. Our results on 136 participants showed that a large fraction of the PhD students experience abnormal levels of stress, depression and anxiety, and their mean well-being score is significantly lower than that of a British reference sample. French PhD student well-being is specifically affected by career uncertainty, perceived lack of progress in the PhD and perceived lack of competence, which points towards possible cultural differences of experiencing a PhD in France and the UK. In a second study, we carried out a positive psychology intervention. Comparing the scores of the test and control groups showed a clear effect of the intervention on reducing anxiety. We discuss our results and the possible future steps to improve French PhD students’ well-being.

Report1: Impact of Covid-19 on young people aged 13-24 in the UK- preliminary findings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liat Levita ◽  
Jilly Gibson Miller ◽  
Todd K. Hartman ◽  
Jamie Murphy ◽  
Mark Shevlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Need For Support ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Social Recovery ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented disruption of normal social relationships and activities, which are so important during the teen years and young adulthood, and to education and economic activity worldwide. The impact of this on young people’s mental health and future prospects may affect their need for support and services, and the speed of the nation’s social recovery afterwards. This study focused on the unique challenges facing young people at different points during adolescent development, which spans from the onset of puberty until the mid-twenties. Although this is an immensely challenging time and there is a potential risk for long term trauma, adolescence can be a period of opportunity, where the teenagers’ brain enjoys greater capacity for change. Hence, the focus on young people is key for designing age-specific interventions and public policies, which can offer new strategies for instilling resilience, emotional regulation, and self-control. In fact, adolescents might be assisted to not only cope, but excel, in spite of the challenges imposed by this pandemic. Our work will feed into the larger societal response that utilizes the discoveries about adolescence in the way we raise, teach, and treat young people during this time of crisis. Wave 1 data has already been collected from 2,002 young people aged 13-24, measuring their mental health (anxiety, depression, trauma), family functioning, social networks, and resilience, and social risk-taking at the time of the pandemic. Here we present a preliminary report of our findings, (Report 1). Data collected 21/4/20- 29/4/20 - a month after the lockdown started).

Examining Transnational Student Mental Health Responses to COVID-19 During the Transition to Remote Learning: A Longitudinal Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Leticia Salazar Preciado ◽  
Sally Haack ◽  
Luis Renee González Lucano ◽  
Ricardo Javier Díaz Domínguez ◽  
Inbal Mazar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Health Science Students ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Survey Sample ◽  
Remote Learning

BACKGROUND COVID-19 represents a major global health crisis and has resulted in drastic changes to daily life. While even prior to the start of the pandemic college students had a high prevalence of mental health conditions, this group is even more at risk during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE To investigate the emotional impact of quarantine and transition to remote learning on health science students from two countries, regarding anxiety prevalence, mental wellbeing and coping behaviors during the first month of the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS A total of 28 students from Tecnologico de Monterrey (TEC) in Guadalajara, Mexico and 19 students from Drake University (Drake) in Iowa, United States participated in the study. All students were studying health sciences, including degree programs such as medicine, pharmacy, and nutrition and wellness. This longitudinal study assessed students’ immediate psychological response during the COVID-19 pandemic by using an anonymous online questionnaire administered in April and again in May 2020. The survey was created to assess anxiety levels, coping mechanisms, and changes in daily habits. Demographics such as gender, age, non-academic working, living arrangements, household size, and number of roommates/co-habitants were also collected. RESULTS The April survey sample included 47 students and the May survey sample included 41 students. At least 50% of respondents were females, 20 to 21 years of age. The April survey results showed that more TEC students rated their food intake as higher than before the pandemic when compared to Drake students (p=0.032). Alcohol consumption reportedly stayed the same for Drake students and was lower for TEC students (p=0.004). The May survey results showed a statistically significant difference only for the alcohol consumption (p<0.001). Sleep time between April and May in TEC students showed a significant statistical difference, with students reporting less sleep time in May (p=0.016). The analysis for the level of anxiety according to the Beck Anxiety Inventory showed no statistically significant differences, neither when comparing between intra (TEC p=0.189 and Drake p=0.879) and inter group survey times (TEC vs Drake in April p=0.919 and TEC vs Drake in May p=0.305). The most common physical symptoms reported by students during both study periods were: feeling hot, nervous, fear of losing control, inability to relax, and fear of the worst happening. CONCLUSIONS There is growing concern surrounding the mental health status and needs of health science students during the pandemic. It is important to monitor changes in students’ mental health in response to the pandemic and to create interventions that target students appropriately.

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