Research

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11 pages, 490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pregnant Women’s Attitudes and Beliefs towards Sleep and Exercise: A Cross-Sectional Survey

by Summer Cannon, Melanie Hayman and Michele Lastella

Clocks & Sleep 2023, 5(1), 34-44; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/clockssleep5010004 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2356

As many as 80% of women report experiencing poor sleep throughout pregnancy. Exercise is associated with many health benefits during pregnancy and is established as a non-pharmacological method to improve sleep in both pregnant and non-pregnant populations. Given the importance of sleep and [...] Read more.

As many as 80% of women report experiencing poor sleep throughout pregnancy. Exercise is associated with many health benefits during pregnancy and is established as a non-pharmacological method to improve sleep in both pregnant and non-pregnant populations. Given the importance of sleep and exercise during pregnancy, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to (1) examine pregnant women’s attitudes and beliefs towards sleep and exercise during pregnancy, and (2) investigate the barriers women face to achieving good sleep and engaging in healthy levels of exercise. Participants were comprised of 258 pregnant Australian women (31.3 ± 5.1 years) who completed a 51-question online survey. Almost all (98%) participants believed exercise during pregnancy to be safe, whilst over half (67%) believed participating in more exercise will improve their sleep. Over 70% of participants reported experiencing barriers such as physical symptoms related to pregnancy that negatively impacted their ability to exercise. Almost all (95%) participants reported experiencing barriers to sleep in their current pregnancy. Present findings suggest that overcoming intrapersonal barriers should be a priority for any intervention aiming to improve sleep or increase exercise levels in pregnant populations. Findings from the present study highlight the need for a better understanding of women’s sleep experiences during pregnancy, and demonstrate how exercise may improve sleep and health outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health II)

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9 pages, 1723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Sleep Regularity and Perceived Life Stress across the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Analysis of a Predominately Female United States Convenience Sample

by Ryan Bottary, Eric C. Fields, Loren Ugheoke, Dan Denis, Janet M. Mullington and Tony J. Cunningham

Clocks & Sleep 2023, 5(1), 1-9; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/clockssleep5010001 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2082

Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on sleep and psychological well-being for individuals worldwide. This pre-registered investigation extends our prior study by tracking self-reported social jetlag (SJL), social sleep restriction (SSR), and perceived life stress from May 2020 through [...] Read more.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on sleep and psychological well-being for individuals worldwide. This pre-registered investigation extends our prior study by tracking self-reported social jetlag (SJL), social sleep restriction (SSR), and perceived life stress from May 2020 through October 2021. Using web-based surveys, we collected self-reported sleep information with the Ultrashort Munich Chronotype Questionnaire at three additional timepoints (September 2020, February 2021 and October 2021). Further, we measured perceived life stress with the Perceived Stress Scale at two additional timepoints (February 2021 and October 2021). In a subsample of 181, predominantly female (87%), United States adults aged 19–89 years, we expanded our prior findings by showing that the precipitous drop in SJL during the pandemic first wave (May 2020), compared to pre-pandemic (February, 2020), rapidly rose with loosening social restrictions (September 2020), though never returned to pre-pandemic levels. This effect was greatest in young adults, but not associated with self-reported chronotype. Further, perceived life stress decreased across the pandemic, but was unrelated to SJL or SSR. These findings suggest that sleep schedules were sensitive to pandemic-related changes in social restrictions, especially in younger participants. We posit several possible mechanisms supporting these findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health II)

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25 pages, 3283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Solid State Roadway Lighting on Melatonin in Humans

by Ronald B. Gibbons, Rajaram Bhagavathula, Benjamin Warfield, George C. Brainard and John P. Hanifin

Clocks & Sleep 2022, 4(4), 633-657; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/clockssleep4040049 - 18 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5846

Abstract

Introduction: In 2009, the World Health Organization identified vehicle crashes, both injury-related and fatal, as a public health hazard. Roadway lighting has long been used to reduce crashes and improve the safety of all road users. Ocular light exposure at night can suppress [...] Read more.

Introduction: In 2009, the World Health Organization identified vehicle crashes, both injury-related and fatal, as a public health hazard. Roadway lighting has long been used to reduce crashes and improve the safety of all road users. Ocular light exposure at night can suppress melatonin levels in humans. At sufficient light levels, all visible light wavelengths can elicit this response, but melatonin suppression is maximally sensitive to visible short wavelength light. With the conversion of roadway lighting to solid state sources that have a greater short wavelength spectrum than traditional sources, there is a potential negative health impact through suppressed melatonin levels to roadway users and those living close to the roadway. This paper presents data on the impact of outdoor roadway lighting on salivary melatonin in three cohorts of participants: drivers, pedestrians, and those experiencing light trespass in their homes. Methods: In an outdoor naturalistic roadway environment, healthy participants (N = 29) each being assigned to a cohort of either pedestrian, driver, or light trespass experiment, were exposed to five different solid state light sources with differing spectral emissions and one no lighting condition. Salivary melatonin measurements were made under an average roadway luminance of 1.0 cd/m² (IES RP-18 Roadway Lighting Requirements for expressway roads) with a corneal melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminances (EDI) ranging from 0.22 to 0.86 lux. Results: The results indicate that compared to the no roadway lighting condition, the roadway light source spectral content did not significantly impact salivary melatonin levels in the participants in any of the cohorts. Conclusions: These data show that recommended levels of street lighting for expressway roads do not elicit an acute suppression of salivary melatonin and suggest that the health benefit of roadway lighting for traffic safety is not compromised by an acute effect on salivary melatonin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health II)

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16 pages, 1367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Intention to React to Sounds Induces Sleep Disturbances and Alters Brain Responses to Sounds during Sleep: A Pilot Study

by Selina Ladina Combertaldi, Anna Zoé Wick and Björn Rasch

Clocks & Sleep 2022, 4(4), 561-576; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/clockssleep4040044 - 19 Oct 2022

Viewed by 2060

Abstract

Background: Pre-sleep intentions to react to stimuli during sleep affect sleep processes in spite of reductions in conscious awareness. Here, we compare influences of sounds presented during sleep (with and without intentions to react) with the effect of pre-sleep intentions on sleep (with [...] Read more.

Background: Pre-sleep intentions to react to stimuli during sleep affect sleep processes in spite of reductions in conscious awareness. Here, we compare influences of sounds presented during sleep (with and without intentions to react) with the effect of pre-sleep intentions on sleep (with and without sounds being present during sleep). Methods: Twenty-six young, healthy participants spent two experimental nights in the sleep laboratory. On one night, they were instructed to react to sounds during sleep (“on call”); on the other night, not (“neutral”). Unknown to the subjects, sounds were presented at a low volume in both nights in one group. No sound was presented in any of the two nights in the other group. Results: The instruction of being “on call” decreased objective sleep efficiency independently of sounds being present or not. In addition, event-related responses to sounds as well as slow-wave activity were reduced when being “on call”. Conclusions: Pre-sleep intentions to react impair sleep independently of sounds actually being present and influence brain responses to sounds during sleep. Our results highlight the importance of subjective relevance for reducing negative impact of external noise sources such as traffic or church bells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health II)

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9 pages, 270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Player Chronotype Does Not Affect In-Game Performance during the Evening (>18:00 h) in Professional Male Basketball Players

by Michael Pengelly, Nathan Elsworthy, Joshua Guy, Aaron Scanlan and Michele Lastella

Clocks & Sleep 2021, 3(4), 615-623; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/clockssleep3040044 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2626

Abstract

Sport-specific skills display diurnal variation across various team sports such as badminton and tennis serving accuracy and soccer dribbling, volleying, and chipping execution. However, the effects of athlete chronotype on in-game sport-specific skill performance according to time of day across team sports is [...] Read more.

Sport-specific skills display diurnal variation across various team sports such as badminton and tennis serving accuracy and soccer dribbling, volleying, and chipping execution. However, the effects of athlete chronotype on in-game sport-specific skill performance according to time of day across team sports is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the effect of player chronotype on in-game basketball performance during evening games. Professional male basketball players (n = 11) completed a morningness–eveningness questionnaire and were categorized according to chronotype (morning-type: n = 4; neither-type: n = 6; evening-type: n = 1). Box score data from the 2019/20 season were utilized to determine individual in-game performance during evening games played after 18:00 h. Composite metrics (i.e., effective field goal percentage, offensive rating, defensive rating, and player efficiency) were used as indicators of player performance. Non-significant (p ≥ 0.21) differences were evident between M-types and N-types for most performance measures. Small to very large effects were observed in the number of rebounds favoring M-types, and three-point shots attempted and made, assists, and steals favored N-types. In-game performance appeared to not be affected by chronotype (i.e., M-type vs. N-type) in evening games among professional male basketball players. The lack of observed effect between chronotype and in-game performance suggest coaching staff may not need to consider player chronotype when developing a match strategy or assigning player roles if largely dealing with M-types and N-types. However, to ensure the greatest specificity, coaching staff may endeavor to schedule habitual training times in line with that of competition in an effort to align player circadian rhythms to games. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health II)

17 pages, 11167 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GI-SleepNet: A Highly Versatile Image-Based Sleep Classification Using a Deep Learning Algorithm

by Tianxiang Gao, Jiayi Li, Yuji Watanabe, Chijung Hung, Akihiro Yamanaka, Kazumasa Horie, Masashi Yanagisawa, Masahiro Ohsawa and Kazuhiko Kume

Clocks & Sleep 2021, 3(4), 581-597; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/clockssleep3040041 - 01 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3062

Abstract

Sleep-stage classification is essential for sleep research. Various automatic judgment programs, including deep learning algorithms using artificial intelligence (AI), have been developed, but have limitations with regard to data format compatibility, human interpretability, cost, and technical requirements. We developed a novel program called [...] Read more.

Sleep-stage classification is essential for sleep research. Various automatic judgment programs, including deep learning algorithms using artificial intelligence (AI), have been developed, but have limitations with regard to data format compatibility, human interpretability, cost, and technical requirements. We developed a novel program called GI-SleepNet, generative adversarial network (GAN)-assisted image-based sleep staging for mice that is accurate, versatile, compact, and easy to use. In this program, electroencephalogram and electromyography data are first visualized as images, and then classified into three stages (wake, NREM, and REM) by a supervised image learning algorithm. To increase its accuracy, we adopted GAN and artificially generated fake REM sleep data to equalize the number of stages. This resulted in improved accuracy, and as little as one mouse’s data yielded significant accuracy. Due to its image-based nature, the program is easy to apply to data of different formats, different species of animals, and even outside sleep research. Image data can be easily understood; thus, confirmation by experts is easily obtained, even when there are prediction anomalies. As deep learning in image processing is one of the leading fields in AI, numerous algorithms are also available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health II)

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Review

Jump to: Research

14 pages, 532 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Importance of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms for Vaccination Success and Susceptibility to Viral Infections

by Nina C. M. Schmitz, Ysbrand D. van der Werf and Heidi M. Lammers-van der Holst

Clocks & Sleep 2022, 4(1), 66-79; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/clockssleep4010008 - 16 Feb 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7345

Abstract

Sleep and circadian rhythms are closely involved in the immune system and its regulation. Here, we describe this relationship and provide recommendations regarding the influence of sleep and circadian rhythms on vaccination success. We review studies investigating how viral susceptibility is influenced by [...] Read more.

Sleep and circadian rhythms are closely involved in the immune system and its regulation. Here, we describe this relationship and provide recommendations regarding the influence of sleep and circadian rhythms on vaccination success. We review studies investigating how viral susceptibility is influenced by changes in immunological parameters as a consequence of sleep deprivation. Short sleep duration and poor sleep efficiency both appear to be strong factors leading to greater vulnerability. In addition, both sleep duration and the time of day of the vaccination seem to be associated with the magnitude of the antibody response after vaccination. Based on these findings, a recommendation would consist of a sleep duration of 7 h or more every night to both reduce the risk of infection and to optimize the efficacy of vaccination with respect to circadian timing. Improving sleep quality and its circadian timing can potentially play a role in preventing infection and in vaccination benefits. In conclusion, sufficient (or longer) sleep duration is important in both reducing susceptibility to infection and increasing antibody response after vaccination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health II)

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14 pages, 472 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hormone Targets for the Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Postmenopausal Women with Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review

by Alexandre González-Rodríguez, José Haba-Rubio, Judith Usall, Mentxu Natividad, Virginia Soria, Javier Labad and José A. Monreal

Clocks & Sleep 2022, 4(1), 52-65; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/clockssleep4010007 - 15 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3307

Abstract

While the early identification of insomnia in patients with schizophrenia is of clinical relevance, the use of specific compounds to treat insomnia has been studied less in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. We aimed to explore the effects of melatonin, sex hormones, and raloxifene [...] Read more.

While the early identification of insomnia in patients with schizophrenia is of clinical relevance, the use of specific compounds to treat insomnia has been studied less in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. We aimed to explore the effects of melatonin, sex hormones, and raloxifene for the treatment of insomnia in these populations. Although melatonin treatment improved the quality and efficiency of the sleep of patients with schizophrenia, few studies have explored its use in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. The estrogen and progesterone pathways are dysregulated in major psychiatric disorders, such as in schizophrenia. While, in the context of menopause, a high testosterone-to-estradiol ratio is associated with higher frequencies of depressive symptoms, the effects of estradiol and other sex hormones on sleep disorders in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia has not been sufficiently investigated. Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has shown positive effects on sleep disorders in postmenopausal women. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of hormonal compounds on insomnia in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Health II)

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