In-Depth Characterization of Sleep Patterns Among People with Insomnia During the Pandemic of COVID-19 | JoVE Visualize

In-Depth Characterization of Sleep Patterns Among People with Insomnia During the Pandemic of COVID-19

Amin Nakhostin-Ansari¹, Samaneh Akbarour², Khosro Sadeghniiat Haghighi²

¹Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Current Health Sciences Journal|November 12, 2021

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Fear of COVID-19 significantly contributes to insomnia patterns, including difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, and early morning awakening. Addressing COVID-19 fear is crucial for managing insomnia during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Sleep Medicine
Public Health

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to sleep disturbances, but the specific characteristics of insomnia remain understudied.
This research addresses the gap by investigating insomnia patterns in the general Iranian population during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the characteristics of insomnia experienced by the general Iranian population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To identify the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and insomnia patterns.

Main Methods:

A cross-sectional, community-based study utilizing an online questionnaire distributed via social platforms.
Data collected included socio-demographic information, Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-2 (GAD-2).

Main Results:

Out of 675 participants with insomnia, high prevalence rates were observed for difficulty initiating sleep (91.4%), difficulty maintaining sleep (86.7%), and early morning awakening (77%).
Insomnia patterns were more common in individuals with depression and anxiety.
Higher Fear of COVID-19 scores correlated with more severe insomnia symptoms and FCV-19 was identified as a risk factor for all insomnia patterns.

Conclusions:

Fear of COVID-19 is a significant factor influencing various insomnia patterns.
Integrating assessment and management strategies for COVID-19-related fear into conventional insomnia treatment is recommended to improve sleep quality during the pandemic.