scholarly journals Using 24-h Heart Rate Variability to Investigate the Sleep Quality and Depression Symptoms of Medical Students

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.

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-220
Author(s):  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Aqsa Iftikhar ◽  
Zahra Malik ◽  
Kapil Kiran Aedma ◽  
Hafsa Meraj ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesThis study has been designed to elucidate the prevalence of stress, depression and poor sleep among medical students in a Pakistani medical school. There is a paucity of data on social support among medical students in Pakistan; an important predictor of depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study was also aimed to demonstrate the direct and indirect impact of social support in alleviating depressive symptoms in the study sample.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, where a total of 400 students at a medical school were approached between 1st January to 31st March 2018 to participate in the study. The study sample comprised of medical and dental students enrolled at a privately financed Pakistani medical and dental school. The participants responded to a self-administered survey comprising of five parts: a) demographics, b) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), c) Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), d) Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and e) Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4). All data were analysed using SPSS v. 20. Linear regression analysis was used to reveal the predictors of depression.ResultsIn total, 353 medical students participated, yielding a response rate of 88.25%. Overall, poor sleep quality was experienced by 205 (58.1%) students. Mild to severe depression was reported by 83% of the respondents: mild depression by 104 (29.5%), moderate depression by 104 (29.5%), moderately severe depression by 54 (15.3%) and severe depression by 31 (8.8%) respondents. Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, daytime dysfunction and stress levels were significantly associated with depression symptoms. Social support was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms in the regression model (Beta = -0.08, P < 0.09); however, it acted as a significant mediator, reducing the strength of the relationship between depressive symptoms and sleep quality and stress.ConclusionsAccording to our study, a large proportion of healthcare (medical and dental) students were found to be suffering from mild to moderate depression and experienced poor sleep quality. It is concluded that social support is an important variable in predicting depressive symptomatology by ameliorating the effects of poor sleep quality and high stress levels.


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 955-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fawn A Walter ◽  
Emily Gathright ◽  
Joseph D Redle ◽  
John Gunstad ◽  
Joel W Hughes

Abstract Background Depression is associated with reduced heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy and cardiac samples, which may be accounted for by physical fitness. In a small sample of cardiac patients, activity and fitness levels attenuated the relationship between HRV and depression. In the current study of heart failure (HF) patients, we hypothesized that depressive symptoms and HRV would be inversely related and physical fitness would attenuate this association. Purpose To determine if previous associations among depressive symptoms, physical fitness, and HRV would replicate in a sample of HF patients. Methods The sample consisted of HF patients (N = 125) aged 68.55 ± 8.92 years, 68.8% male, and 83.2% Caucasian. The study was cross-sectional and a secondary analysis of a nonrandomized clinical trial (Trial Identifier: NCT00871897). Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II, fitness with the 2 min step test (2MST), and HRV during a 10 min resting laboratory psychophysiology protocol. The dependent variable in hierarchical linear regressions was the root mean square of successive differences. Results Controlling for sex, age, β-blocker use, hypertension, and diabetes, higher BDI-II scores significantly predicted lower HRV, β = −.29, t(92) = −2.79, p < .01. Adding 2MST did not attenuate the relationship in a follow-up regression. Conclusion Depressive symptoms were associated with lower HRV in HF patients, independent of physical fitness. Given the prevalence of depression and suppressed HRV common among HF patients, interventions addressing depressive symptoms and other predictors of poor outcomes may be warranted.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 44-50
Author(s):  
A.V. Syvak ◽  
L.A. Sarafyniuk ◽  
P.V. Sarafyniuk ◽  
L.I. Pilhanchuk ◽  
N.O. Sorokina

Mechanisms of regulation of cardiac rhythm have many individual features, which are conditioned by age, sex, training of the organism, strength and nature of external influence, constitutional features of the organism. The purpose of the work is to determine the relationship between cardiointervalographic indices and parameters of the external structure of the body in highly skilled wrestlers of the mesomorphic somatotype. The study involved 24 wrestlers between the ages of 17 and 21 with a high level of sportsmanship and more than 3 years of experience. All of the wrestlers were of medium weight and engaged in free and Greco-Roman wrestling. We conducted a study of heart rate variability on the cardiac computer diagnostic complex “OPTW” following the recommendations of the European and North American Cardiac Association (1996). The indices of vegetative homeostasis according to Bayevsky, variational heart rate, statistical and spectral cardiointervalographic indicators were determined. Anthropometry was performed according to the method of V.V. Bunak (1941), somatotypological study – by the calculated modification of the Heath-Carter method (1990), determination of the component composition of body weight by the method of Matejko (1992). In the package “STATISTICA 5.5” correlation analysis was performed using the nonparametric Spearman statistical method. It was found that in the wrestlers of the mesomorphic somatotype, the variations of the pulsometry had the highest number and strength of reliable correlations with constitutional parameters, most of which were inverse of the mean force. All statistical indicators of heart rate variability with indicators of the external structure of the body had only inverse significant correlations. The least significant correlations were found for spectral indices and parameters of vegetative homeostasis. According to the results of the correlation analysis in the wrestlers of the mesomorphic somatotype, we can assume that with the increase of total, longitudinal, circumferential, transverse body sizes and muscle and bone mass, the variability of the heart rhythm of the sympathetic department of the autonomic nervous system will be more pronounced.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi Zhang ◽  
Ping Zeng ◽  
Joshua Tan ◽  
Siwei Sun ◽  
Minghao Zhao ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic brought about great transformation to medical education mode. Although mobile communication devices played a crucial role in online learning among quarantined university students, the potential smartphone addition problems, negative health behaviors, and psychological symptoms need considerable attention. This study examined the relationship of problematic smartphone use (PSU), sleep quality, and daytime fatigue among medical students.Methods: A web-based survey was conducted in six polyclinic hospitals in Beijing between February and May 2020. 1016 participants (26.01 ± 2.46 years, 65.16% female) completed self-report measurements including Short Version Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and Subjective Fatigue Scale (FS). Spearman correlation coefficients and multiple regression models were used to analyze the association among PSU, sleep quality, and daytime fatigue. We used structural equation modeling to test the mediating effect of sleep quality between PSU and daytime fatigue.Results: 49.70% of the participants had PSU. Significant positive correlations were found among SAS-SV, AIS, and FS scores (r = 0.35–0.61, PS &lt; 0.001). Subjects with PSU were more likely to report sleep disturbance (β = 1.07, P &lt; 0.001, OR = 2.91, 95%CI = 2.17–3.91), physical fatigue (β = 1.16, P &lt; 0.001, OR = 3.18, 95%CI = 2.45–4.15), and mental fatigue (β = 0.88, P &lt; 0.001, OR = 2.42, 95%CI = 1.86–3.14). The indirect effect of PSU on physical fatigue and mental fatigue mediated by sleep quality accounted for 50.03 and 45.43% of the total effect, respectively.Conclusions: PSU was significantly associated with sleep disturbance and fatigue among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep quality mediated the relationship between PSU and daytime fatigue. Our results provide valuable information for maintaining medical students' health status and constructing online education structures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 997-1006
Author(s):  
Ute Vollmer-Conna ◽  
Jessica E Beilharz ◽  
Erin Cvejic ◽  
Claire L Macnamara ◽  
Michelle Doherty ◽  
...  

Objective: Mental health problems among medical students have been widely reported, but the predisposing and perpetuating factors and biological concomitants are poorly understood. Adopting a biopsychosocial approach, we studied well-being in a group of Australian medical students, focusing on sleep, autonomic and immune mechanisms, as well as mental, social and physical well-being, health-related behaviours, and daily functioning. Methods: Fourth-year medical students ( N = 151) completed comprehensive assessments, including laboratory-based and nocturnal autonomic monitoring via ambulatory bioharness, a psychiatric diagnostic interview, and questionnaires assessing sleep quality and psychosocial and physical well-being. A blood sample was taken to quantify the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. Sleep, mood and activity was additionally monitored daily for 7 days. Results: A sizable minority of students reported diminished physical, mental and psychosocial well-being. We also found concerning levels of sleep disturbance and social and occupational impairment in a subset of students. The strong co-occurrence of problems across symptom domains supported a biopsychosocial interdependence of health and well-being states. Maladaptive coping behaviours were apparent, notably hazardous alcohol consumption, which was associated with a clinically significant elevation in C-reactive protein levels (> 3 mg/L). We documented, for the first time, significantly diminished nocturnal heart rate variability in medical students with a mental health diagnosis. Nocturnal heart rate variability was strongly associated with sleep quality, daytime autonomic stress reactivity, as well as occupational and social functioning. Conclusion: Well-being is a multifaceted phenomenon firmly interlinked with sleep, autonomic and immune function, health behaviours and functional outcomes. Our novel findings supported a key role for nocturnal autonomic function in promoting sleep quality and mental well-being. Interventions could focus on sleep hygiene and health behaviours as a buffer for well-being and teach more adaptive strategies for coping with the stresses of medical training.


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.


Author(s):  
Gladius Jennifer H. ◽  
Sowmiya K. ◽  
Vidya D. C. ◽  
Archana Lakshmi P. A. ◽  
Roseline Fatima William

Background: Today’s world has led students to mobile phone as a mode of communication and social networking. This also has bought about psychological dependency towards mobile phones which causes sleep deprivation and increased stress affecting them academically. However, very few studies were conducted among medical students. Hence, this study was attempted with an objective to assess the effect of mobile phone usage on sleep disturbance, stress and academic performance among under graduate medical students.Methods: An observational Study was conducted among under graduate medical students in KIMS, Tamil Nadu, during September to November 2016. Among first to final year students 203 were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected after obtaining the consent using a self administered questionnaire, containing demographic details, variables on mobile usages, PSQI and PSS scales. Mean, median, standard deviation and percentages were calculated; Chi square test and correlation coefficient were calculated at 5% level of significance.Results: Among 203 study participants everyone had smart phones which were used for communication and social media. The hours of usage of mobile ranged from 5 minutes to 10 hours per day. Most of them (61%) used during night hours, 72.4% of the study participants had poor sleep quality, 66.5% had moderate stress, 14.8% had severe stress. There was significant association of poor sleep quality and academic performance with mobile phone usage (p<0.01).Conclusions: There is an association of mobile phone usage with sleep quality and academic performance.


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