An Association Rule Analysis of the Acupressure Effect on Sleep Quality

Background. Sleep is recognized as an all-important physiological process, which also contributes to maintaining several bodily functions and systems. According to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), also known as the most widely used tool in the field of subjective assessment of self-perceived sleep quality, a combination of acupoints could be more effective than single acupoint treatment in improving sleep quality. Methods. The present study was based on the extracted eligible studies rooted in a previous meta-analysis that worked on the basis of association rule mining and examined the potential kernel acupoint combinations for improving sleep quality. Results. Depending on the Apriori algorithm, we summarized 26 acupoints as binary data from the 32 eligible studies based on a previous meta-analysis and analyzed them. The top 10 most frequently selected acupoints were HT7, SP6, PC6, KI1, GV20, EM5, EX-HN3, EX-HN16, KI3, and MA-TF1. Furthermore, as deduced from 21 association rules, the primary relevant rules in the combination of acupoints are (EX-HN3, EX-HN16)=>(GV20) and (HT7, KI1)=>(PC6). Conclusions. In order to use acupuncture to improve sleep quality, integrating (EX-HN3, EX-HN16, GV20) with (HT7, KI1, PC6) acupoints could be deemed as the kernel acupoint combination.

Emotional Intelligence as a Mediator between Subjective Sleep Quality and Depression during the Confinement Due to COVID-19

In March of 2020, as a consequence of the health crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus, the State of Alarm and home confinement of the entire population was imposed in Spain. It is foreseeable that this exceptional situation will have psychological effects on citizens. In this work, the impact of confinement on perceived sleep quality and depression is evaluated through questionnaires, as well as the mediating role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in this relationship. Our results show, firstly, higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in women and young people associated with poorer perceived sleep quality, and secondly, that Emotional Intelligence intervenes as a mediator in this relationship through three different pathways. Worse perceived quality of sleep causes a greater number of depressive symptoms. In addition, this direct relationship may be enhanced by the mediating role of Emotional Intelligence, which we can express in three different ways: low perceived sleep quality and high emotional attention lead to greater depression; low perceived sleep quality and low emotional clarity increase greater symptoms of depression; and low perceived sleep quality together with low clarity and low emotional repair increase levels of depression. Therefore, we can conclude that improving the skills involved in Emotional Intelligence might increase perceived sleep quality, and thus reduce depressive symptoms, which in turn may improve the quality of life.

Exploring the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on wellbeing across different styles of lockdown

Globally, everyday life has been restricted – varyingly – to control the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2021, nationwide “lockdown” was enacted in Scotland with breaches punishable by law. Contrastingly, Japanese restrictions were managed prefecture-by-prefecture, with opportunities for travel and interaction, with citizens requested rather than required to conform. To explore these differential strategies’ impact, we conducted a transnational online survey of health behaviours and wellbeing. In February 2021, 138 Scottish and 139 Japanese participants provided demographic information, pandemic-induced health behaviour-change (i.e., alcohol consumption, diet, perceived sleep quality, physical activity), negative mood scores (NMS), and perceived isolation. Scottish participants’ health behaviours were characterised by change (typically negative), whereas Japanese participants’ behaviours were more-stable. However, Scots were more-likely than Japanese participants to have positively-changed their physical activity levels. Negative changes in perceived sleep quality and activity levels were associated with greater NMS; furthermore, negative changes in alcohol consumption, diet, sleep quality, and activity were associated with greater perceived isolation. Japanese participants reported greater NMS; there was no transnational difference in perceived isolation.

Does change in barometric pressure per given time at high altitude influence symptoms of acute mountain sickness on Mount Fuji? A pilot study

Background Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a common, transient condition characterized primarily by headaches, and it can also be associated with fatigue, dizziness, and nausea with vomiting. The symptoms of AMS are most pronounced after the first night spent at a new altitude. At sea level, changes in barometric pressure per given time have been associated with migraine headaches. We sought to investigate whether changes in barometric pressure, subjective sleep quality index, and other candidates contributed to the risk of developing AMS on Mount Fuji in Japan. Method We surveyed 353 trekkers who stayed overnight at a mountain lodge before summitting Mount Fuji. We collected information regarding sex, age, sleeping altitude at the hut, and perceived sleep quality index including sleep time. AMS was assessed with the Lake Louise Scoring system. Barometric pressure and ambient temperature were collected at the 5th station (2305 m) and at the summit (3776 m). Result The overall prevalence of AMS in our cohort was 41.4% (Lake Louise Score ≥ 3 with headache, n=146). Using logistic regression, three factors were combined to generate a robust model for determining the risk of AMS (with or without AMS). These included (1) Δ barometric pressure during ascent per hour, (2) sleepiness on rising, and (3) sleep refreshment assessed by perceived sleep quality index. Conclusion These results suggest that climbers who stay overnight at the lodge should keep a better physical condition of sleep, and would pay attention to information of barometric pressure condition to decrease their risk of AMS at the summit of Mount Fuji. Our observatory data indicated that an overnight staying in half way up to the summit does not necessarily reduce the AMS risk in both sexes and irrespective of age, at least, until 3776 m elevation.

741 Sleep and postpartum depression in healthy fathers: Perceptions of sleep quality predict severity of symptoms

Introduction Research on the link between sleep quality and depression in the postpartum period has focused primarily on mothers. Although fathers also experience poorer postpartum sleep and are at risk of developing depressive symptoms, they remain understudied. To date, the limited research focusing on paternal sleep and depression has relied on subjective measures of sleep, without objective verification. The current study implemented a multi-measure approach using subjective and objective indices to explore the relationship between sleep and depressive symptoms in fathers at 6 months postpartum. Methods Fifty-four healthy fathers participated in this cross-sectional study. Paternal sleep was assessed for 2 weeks utilizing: 1) a self-report daily sleep diary, 2) a self-report perceived sleep quality rating, and 3) actigraphy. Subjective indices via the sleep diary measured participants’ perception of their total nocturnal sleep duration and total number of awakenings (self-reported sleep duration and fragmentation). Perceived sleep quality ratings measured participants’ perceptions of how well they thought they slept. Objective sleep variables measured through actigraphy included: total nocturnal sleep duration, number of awakenings, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Paternal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale (CES-D). Results Regression analyses showed that subjective sleep variables (measured by the sleep diary) and objective sleep variables (measured by actigraphy) did not significantly predict postpartum depressive symptoms in fathers (p > .05). However, self-reported perceived sleep quality significantly predicted postpartum depressive symptom severity in fathers (R2 = .172, p = .034). Conclusion These findings advance our understanding of the link between sleep and depression in fathers. The results highlight the important role of fathers’ perceptions of sleep quality, rather than the actual quality or quantity of their sleep (measured through the sleep diary or actigraphy), in the development of postpartum depressive symptoms. The multi-measure approach to sleep implemented in this study expanded our knowledge about how different facets of sleep relate to depression. These findings have important implications for the development of clinical interventions targeting paternal sleep and mood in the months following childbirth. Support (if any) Social-Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)

173 The Bidirectional Relationships Between Sleep, Psychological Stress, and Negative Mood in Daily Life among Healthy Latinx Adults

Introduction While psychological stress is adversely linked to sleep, the bidirectional and temporal relationships between sleep and psychological stress in the context of daily life are largely understudied, particularly among Latinxs. We examined the bidirectional relationships between daily sleep duration, sleep quality, perceived stress, and negative mood in Latinx adults. Methods Between 2016-2019, healthy Latinxs (N=42), defined as those without any major physical or psychiatric morbidities, and free from polysomnography-assessed sleep disorders, were recruited from a community sample in New York. Participants naïve to study hypotheses completed 40 consecutive days of actigraphy and ecological momentary assessment of psychological stress and negative mood (depressed, anxious mood) using a 0 (not at all) to 10 (extremely) scale, contributing 1713 observations. Daily sleep duration was measured via wrist-actigraphy, and perceived daily sleep quality (1[very bad] to 4[very good]) was assessed via morning self-report. Sources of daily stress, including sociocultural stress, were collected once each evening. Multi-level modeling was used to examine within-person effects and temporal associations with adjustment for day of the week. Results Mean age=37.2 (SD=11.8), 69.1% women, 36.6% unemployed, 64.3% immigrant, and 38.1% Spanish-speaking. Non-specific stress (43%), work (28%), and family/relationship (21%) stress were the most common sources of daily stress. Discrimination and immigration stress were rarely reported as daily sources of stress (1.2%). Mean nightly sleep duration was 403.9 minutes (±81.3). Preliminary lagged linear mixed models indicated that a 60-minute increase in sleep duration during the night predicted a -.12 change in stress ratings (SE=.001,p<.0001) the next day, as well as -.06 change in anxious mood (SE=.001,p=.003). Better perceived sleep quality on a 4-point scale during the night predicted lower stress ratings (ß=-.11,SE=.05,p=.04) and less anxious mood (ß=-.13,SE=.05,p=.01) the next day. A one-point higher rating of depressed mood during the day predicted a -.03 decrease in perceived sleep quality that night (SE=.01,p<.05). Conclusion Overall, these results imply distinct associations of sleep with both anxiety and depressed mood. Longer sleep duration and improved perceived sleep quality were associated with subsequent decreased stress and anxiety. Increased depressed mood predicted worse sleep quality that night. Future research should identify the mechanisms of action for these differential associations. Support (if any):

Sleep Quality and Duration in European Adolescents (The AdolesHealth Study): A Cross-Sectional, Quantitative Study

Sleep is a vital element of adolescents’ overall health; it influences their body and mind and thus affects their quality of life. Adequate sleep quality and duration are essential for maintaining optimal metabolic health and lowering the risk of developing several medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. The current study aimed to assess the perceived sleep quality and duration of 1717 European adolescents from three different European countries (Spain, Iceland and Estonia) aged 13- to 16-years (900 boys, 817 girls) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed to examine differences between groups and two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze city and age differences. The probability of having poor sleep quality and duration was calculated by Odd-Ratio (OR). Our study found poor sleep quality in 44% of the boys and 53% of the girls, whereas 68% and 69%, respectively did not get the recommended hours of sleep (i.e., 8–10 h). No difference was found between adolescents from Estonia, Iceland and Spain regarding sleep duration. In contrast, Spanish and Estonian adolescents reported higher probabilities of having poor sleep quality. Finally, girls had a significantly higher probability of poor sleep quality than boys.