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Results for “Sleep quality”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Effects of a programmed reflexology therapy on sleep quality, insomnia, and fatigue among individuals with poor sleep quality: evidence for autonomic nervous system modulation.

Poor sleep quality is closely associated with autonomic dysregulation and increased risks of cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental disorders. Foot reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy; however, its physiological mechanisms and comparative efficacy remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to compare the effects of manual reflexology treatment (MRT) and foot massage equipment (FEM) on autonomic nervous system function, sleep quality, insomnia severity, and fatigue in adults with poor sleep quality. Using a randomized crossover design, 32 participants with poor sleep quality received MRT and FEM interventions for 6 weeks each (once weekly, 30-40 min/session). Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and heart rate variability (HRV; time- and frequency-domain indices) were assessed at weeks 1 and 6 before and after each intervention. Subjective outcomes included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Following MRT, participants demonstrated significantly greater reductions in global PSQI scores and all PSQI components compared with FEM. MRT also resulted in larger improvements in insomnia severity and both mental and physical fatigue. In contrast, FEM primarily improved physical fatigue. Physiologically, MRT induced an immediate decrease in HR and significant increases in HRV time-domain indices (SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50), which were sustained after 6 weeks. Frequency-domain analysis further revealed reduced LF, increased HF, and a lower LF/HF ratio, indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity and cumulative autonomic modulation. In conclusion, programmed manual reflexology, delivered according to the TIDieR framework, is more effective than mechanical foot massage in improving autonomic balance, sleep quality, insomnia severity, and fatigue in individuals with poor sleep quality. These findings support MRT as a feasible and evidence-based non-pharmacological complementary intervention for sleep health promotion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov; NCT Number: NCT07402460; Registered 3 February 2026.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Quantification of subjective sleep quality in healthy elderly men and women using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

Subjective sleep quality deteriorates with aging, but the extent to which this is a product of age itself, as opposed to the medical or psychiatric problems associated with aging, has not been carefully studied. To investigate this issue, we examined the subjective sleep quality of 44 healthy subjects over 80 years of age (20 men, 24 women), and 35 healthy subjects [corrected] between the ages of 20 and 30 (23 men, 12 women) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). All subjects underwent rigorous medical and psychiatric evaluations to verify that they were in excellent physical and psychological health. Significant age effects were noted for the global PSQI score and several PSQI component scores, but overall sleep quality for the majority (68.1%) of 80-yr-olds fell within a categorically defined range for "good" sleepers. Measures of habitual sleep quality did not correlate strongly with most polysomnographic sleep measures, number of medications used or circadian measures in elderly subjects. These results show that subjective sleep quality does deteriorate in the healthy elderly, but not to the level seen in patients with sleep disorders. Extremely healthy elderly subjects appear to adapt in their perception of objectively disturbed sleep.

Aged↗

PubMed2025

Gut metagenome and plasma metabolome profiles in older adults suggest pyruvate metabolism as a link between sleep quality and frailty.

Poor sleep quality is associated with increased frailty in older adults, but the role of the gut microbiome in this relationship remains unclear. Here, gut metagenome and plasma metabolome were profiled in 1,225 individuals aged 62-96 years. Poor sleep quality was associated with reduced abundances of potential probiotics such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and elevated abundances of pathobionts. A gut microbiome sleep quality index (GMSI) was developed to quantify microbial balance related to better sleep quality; higher GMSI scores were inversely associated with frailty and related clinical traits. Pyruvate metabolism emerged as a key microbial pathway linking sleep quality to frailty, with features such as F. prausnitzii abundance and microbial pyridoxal 5'-phosphate biosynthesis implicated in this connection. These findings deepen our understanding of microbiome-metabolome pathways related to sleep quality and frailty in aging and provide a valuable resource for future longitudinal and interventional studies.

Humans↗

PubMed1989

Sleep-wake patterns and subjective sleep quality of day and night workers: interaction between napping and main sleep episodes.

Five hundred and ninety-three women electronics workers were studied to determine if there was any association between their subjective sleep quality and their sleep patterns. They were 108 day workers, 107 permanent night workers, 216 workers on weekly phase-advance (night/afternoon/morning), and 162 workers on two-weekly phase-delay (morning/afternoon/night) rotating shift schedules. The study was part of a larger survey on night workers involving a self-administered questionnaire. The proportion of nappers was higher in night workers than in day, morning, and afternoon shift workers. Nappers had shorter main sleep, but their total sleep duration was generally the same as that of nonnappers. Compared to nonnappers, a higher proportion of day and morning shift workers who napped did not sleep well. Permanent night workers, with the highest proportion of nappers, had more workers sleeping well than rotating night workers. Subjects who slept well were those with longer total and main sleep and generally started the main sleep earlier. The results indicate a relationship between subjective sleep quality, sleep length, main sleep start, and napping behavior. Whether this relationship is causal is difficult to establish as sleep quality may also reflect the general health status, and this may result in differences in sleep behavior.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation influences sleep quality and insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Impairments in sleep quality, timing, or duration disrupt normal sleep patterns. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) protocols on sleep outcomes. Thirteen randomized controlled trials with parallel or crossover designs that applied tVNS intervention and assessed sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and insomnia severity (Athens Insomnia Scale and Insomnia Severity Index) were included. Effect sizes were calculated by comparing changes between the active tVNS and control groups. Moderator analyses examined whether stimulation of different targeted regions influences sleep outcomes. Meta-regression analyses examined potential relationships between the effects of tVNS protocols on sleep quality and demographic characteristics and multiple tVNS parameters, respectively. The random-effects meta-analysis indicated that tVNS protocols influenced better sleep quality and lower insomnia severity. Moderator variable analysis revealed that tVNS targeting the concha region induced better sleep quality. Meta-regression analysis revealed that better sleep quality was associated with lower ages of participants. These findings suggest that tVNS protocols, particularly those targeting the concha, were associated with favorable changes in sleep quality and insomnia severity, with age potentially moderating the treatment response.

Humans↗

PubMed1992

Effect of therapeutic theophylline levels on the sleep quality and daytime cognitive performance of normal subjects.

The effect of theophylline on sleep quality and cognitive performance in patients with obstructive lung disease has been the subject of controversy. To examine the direct effects of theophylline on sleep quality and cognitive performance, without confounding effects from bronchodilatation, we have undertaken a study of the drug in healthy subjects. A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover protocol was used to study the effect of oral sustained-release theophylline (Theodur) on subjective sleep quality, objective sleep quality, and cognitive performance. Overnight sleep studies were carried out on Nights 13 and 14 of each 2-wk study limb, and cognitive performance tests administered on Days 1 and 13 of each limb. A total of 18 subjects satisfactorily completed the study (8 males, median age 37, range 24 to 67 yr). Theophylline levels were median 10.2, range 2.3 to 13.3 micrograms/ml on Day 1 and 14.7, range 9.6 to 17.5 micrograms/ml on Day 13. No significant difference was observed between theophylline and placebo on subjective or objective sleep quality or on acute or medium-term cognitive performance. We conclude that theophylline does not affect sleep quality or cognitive performance in normal adults.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research.

Despite the prevalence of sleep complaints among psychiatric patients, few questionnaires have been specifically designed to measure sleep quality in clinical populations. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-rated questionnaire which assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month time interval. Nineteen individual items generate seven "component" scores: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction. The sum of scores for these seven components yields one global score. Clinical and clinimetric properties of the PSQI were assessed over an 18-month period with "good" sleepers (healthy subjects, n = 52) and "poor" sleepers (depressed patients, n = 54; sleep-disorder patients, n = 62). Acceptable measures of internal homogeneity, consistency (test-retest reliability), and validity were obtained. A global PSQI score greater than 5 yielded a diagnostic sensitivity of 89.6% and specificity of 86.5% (kappa = 0.75, p less than 0.001) in distinguishing good and poor sleepers. The clinimetric and clinical properties of the PSQI suggest its utility both in psychiatric clinical practice and research activities.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Studies on sleep quality in old age].

A survey of 480 randomly chosen men and women over 65 years of age observed complaints concerning the quality of sleep in 26%, the use of sleeping drugs in 33%; complaints and/or drugs were found in 45% of cases. On the average complaints were more often made by women. The percentage of men complaining increased from 65 to 90+ years. In the group over 90 years of age both sexes showed the same frequency. The quality of sleep was correlated with self-rated health-status, mobility and impairment especially of the cardiovascular system. No correlations were found with contentment, place of residence, noise, outdoor exercise and socioeconome status. Sleeping drugs were most effective in subjects with cerebral impairment and of least effect when subjects suffered from cardiovascular trouble.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1991

Sleep-quality among girls with different involvement in competitive sports during fall in the Arctic Circle.

Eight high-school girls participating in competitive sports and six non-participating girls living north of the polar circle recorded their sleep once a week during the Fall, including the period when the sun does not rise above the horizon. Sleep-quality scores were computed as the sum of answers identical to a present "right" answer indicating good sleep-quality. Significant differences on sleep-quality between the two groups were found, but a significant influence of amount of daylight or exercise could not be confirmed. When sleep-quality was ranked during three periods through the Fall, the girls participating in competitive sports showed a trend of increasing sleep-quality and the nonparticipants a decreasing one. An explanation based on influence of exercise thresholds upon sleep-quality is presented.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1991

Self-reported sleep quality in HIV infection: correlation to the stage of infection and zidovudine therapy.

We investigated self-reported sleep quality in a group of 50 patients in different stages of HIV-1 infection by using a standardized questionnaire (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Alterations of sleep were found to be significantly correlated with the most severe stage of infection in AIDS patients. Analysis of data failed to indicate a significant influence of zidovudine on self-reported sleep quality.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Sex modifies the association of high-altitude hypoxia with poor sleep quality and depression in school-age children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: While chronic exposure to high-altitude hypoxia is known to impair sleep and mental health, whether these effects are sex-dependent remains unclear. This study addresses a critical gap by investigating how sex modifies the association between high-altitude hypoxia and risks of poor sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and their co-occurrence in children and adolescents. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study (March-May 2024), we enrolled 1,345 long-term residents of the Shannan Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (altitude: 3,650-4,800 m) and 2,909 age-matched controls from low-altitude plains (Anhui Province, China). Sleep quality and depression were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), respectively. Sex-stratified analyses and interaction metrics (RERI/AP/SI) were employed to evaluate additive and multiplicative effects. RESULTS: High-altitude residents exhibited significantly higher prevalence of poor sleep (24.2% vs. 18.7%, P < 0.001), depression (23.6% vs. 15.3%, P < 0.001), and their co-occurrence (12.6% vs. 8.6%, P < 0.001) compared to low-altitude controls. A significant negative additive interaction (RERI = - 0.78, 95% CI: -1.35 to - 0.3; P < 0.001) indicated that sex modifies the altitude-outcome association. Specifically: (1) high-altitude residence significantly increased poor sleep risk in males (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.26-2.03) but not in females (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.07-1.79); and (2) the expected female predominance in poor sleep observed in the plain region (OR = 1.452, 95% CI: 1.191-1.769) disappeared in the plateau region (OR = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.667-1.121). Similar patterns were independently replicated for depressive symptoms. These findings confirm that high-altitude exposure differentially increases risk in males rather than protecting females. CONCLUSION: Males show marked vulnerability to high-altitude-associated sleep and mood impairments, while females demonstrate resilience. Sex-tailored interventions for high-altitude populations, particularly targeting male adolescents, are urgently needed.

Humans↗

PubMed1991

Morbidity in nocturnal asthma: sleep quality and daytime cognitive performance.

Most patients with asthma waken with nocturnal asthma from time to time. To assess morbidity in patients with nocturnal asthma nocturnal sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and daytime cognitive performance were measured prospectively in 12 patients with nocturnal asthma (median age 43 years) and 12 age and intellect matched normal subjects. The median (range) percentage overnight fall in peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) was 22 (15 to 50) in the patients with nocturnal asthma and 4 (-4 to 7) in the normal subjects. The patients with asthma had poorer average scores for subjective sleep quality than the normal subjects (median paired difference 1.1 (95% confidence limits 0.1, 2.3)). Objective overnight sleep quality was also worse in the asthmatic patients, who spent more time awake at night (median difference 51 (95% CL 8.1, 74) minutes), had a longer sleep onset latency (12 (10, 30) minutes), and tended to have less stage 4 (deep) sleep (-33 (-58, 4) minutes). Daytime cognitive performance was worse in the patients with nocturnal asthma, who took a longer time to complete the trail making tests (median difference 62 (22, 75) seconds) and achieved a lower score on the paced serial addition tests (-10 (-24, -3)). Mean daytime sleep latency did not differ significantly between the two groups (2 (-3, 7) minutes). It is concluded that hospital outpatients with stable nocturnal asthma have impaired sleep quality and daytime cognitive performance even when having their usual maintenance asthma treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Gender differences in the circadian temperature rhythms of healthy elderly subjects: relationships to sleep quality.

Body core temperature and subjective sleep quality were measured in 22 healthy elderly men and women while they lived at home and continued their normal daily activities. The acrophase of body temperature was phase-advanced by an average of 1.25 h in the older women compared to the age-matched men. Habitual bedtimes did not differ between men and women, but usual wakeup time and average sleep duration did: women awakened earlier and slept for shorter durations. Women were also less satisfied with their sleep than were the men. For the group, the acrophase of body temperature was significantly positively correlated with habitual bedtime and wakeup time. These data support the notion that age-related changes in the circadian timing system are, in large part, gender-dependent. The findings are also consistent with the hypothesis that alterations in sleep timing and quality that typically accompany aging are closely tied to age-related changes in circadian physiology.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Sleep quality in preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to study the sleep quality in women with preeclampsia with a special reference to nocturnal body movement activity. STUDY DESIGN: Sleep quality was evaluated in nine women with preeclampsia and eight women with normal term pregnancy by means of questionnaires and by recording the nocturnal body movement activity with the static charge-sensitive bed. RESULTS: Subjective sleep complaints were similar in both groups. The total movement time and the total frequency of body movements in bed were, however, significantly increased in the preeclamptic group. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that sleep is impaired in preeclamptic subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy of transcranial alternating current stimulation for musculoskeletal pain and sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, emerging as a potential therapeutic option for musculoskeletal pain management. OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of tACS for alleviating pain and improving sleep quality in adults with musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Seven major databases and other sources were searched from inception until April 2026. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. A random-effects model was used to pool standardized mean differences (SMDs). The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. RESULTS: Six RCTs involving 232 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that tACS could significantly reduce pain intensity compared to control (SMD = -0.355, 95% CI: -0.625 to -0.084, p = 0.010, I² = 28.7%). However, no significant improvement was found for sleep quality (SMD = 0.004, 95% CI: -0.310-0.317, p = 0.982, I² = 0.0%). Adverse effects were mild and transient, comparable to sham stimulation. The overall certainty of evidence was rated as low for both pain and sleep quality outcomes. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that tACS may be beneficial for musculoskeletal pain; however, the available evidence remains limited and should be interpreted cautiously. The effect of tACS on sleep quality remains uncertain because of the limited number of available studies. Future well-designed RCTs with standardized outcome measures, condition-specific stimulation protocols, and longer follow-up are required to establish the efficacy and long-term safety of tACS.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure in Improving Sleep Quality and Reducing Insomnia Severity in Middle-Aged and Older Women in Taiwan.

Poor sleep quality impacts cognition, emotions, and immunity. This study evaluated the efficacy of auricular acupressure in improving sleep conditions. Eighty-eight women aged ≥40 years with insomnia were randomly assigned to acupoint, sham, or comparison groups. Magnetic pellets were applied to heart, liver, and shenmen acupoints for the acupoint group and were offset by 1 to 2 cm for the sham group. Participants pressed pellets thrice daily for 1 month. In the acupoint and sham groups, insomnia was reduced and sleep quality improved dramatically in the acupoint group at 4 weeks. Auricular acupressure may improve sleep and support equitable, cultural patient-centered care.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Nocturnal oxygen saturation and sleep quality in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during treatment with moderate dose CR-theophylline.

The effect of a 24-h controlled-release (CR) preparation of theophylline (Th) on nocturnal arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and sleep quality has been evaluated in 7 patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a double-blind cross-over experiment; median values: age 61 y; PaO2 8.0 kPa; PaCO2 5.8 kPa. During treatment with 450-900 mg Th in the evening, morning plasma drug levels ranged from 5.2-12.9 micrograms.ml-1. During Th and placebo treatment, the median evening FEV1 was 0.45 l and 0.46 l, respectively, and the morning FEV1 was 0.53 l and 0.41 l. Sleep was monitored by whole-night polysomnographic recording of oximetric SaO2, airflow, respiratory and body movements (static charge sensitive bed), eye movements and submental electromyogram. There was no significant difference between Th and placebo in sleep quality. Th treatment was associated with a marginal improvement in nocturnal oxygenation in most of the patients; the average nocturnal SaO2 ranged from 84.4%-92.8% during Th and from 82.2-90.5% during placebo treatment, respectively. Only in the morning, during the last 2 h in bed, was the slight difference in SaO2 statistically significant in favour of Th. It is concluded that a moderate dose of CR-theophylline did not alter the sleep quality or substantially improve nocturnal oxygenation in patients with advanced COPD and mild to moderate day-time hypoxaemia.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Self-reported sleep quality in college students: a repeated measures approach.

A longitudinal assessment of sleep quality is presented. Undergraduates provided two levels of repeated measures data. Sleep log information was gathered across the 7 days of the week, in three replications, over a semester. There were several new findings. Across the week, students spent significantly more time in bed on weekend days as compared with weekdays. Further, a new measure for quality of sleep covaried with the amount of time spent in bed during the week. The students enjoyed their sleep more on the weekends. Finally, both the amount of time in bed and the number of awakenings reported dropped significantly as the semester progressed.

Adolescent↗