Sleep polysomnography and reported stress across 6 weeks

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sleep Medicine
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Commonly, stress is believed to negatively impact sleep.
• However, empirical data demonstrating a direct correlation between daily stress complaints and objective sleep impairments (polysomnography) over time is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between daily perceived stress and objective sleep parameters measured by polysomnography (PSG).
• To determine if chronic stress predicts specific sleep disturbances.

Main Methods:

• 33 participants underwent three home-based PSG recordings over six weeks.
• Daily sleep/wake diaries were maintained, including 3-hourly stress ratings (1-9 scale).
• Stress ratings and PSG parameters were averaged; stepwise multiple regression analysis was employed.

Main Results:

• Stage 1 sleep and latency to Stage 1 sleep were identified as significant predictors of stress levels, even after adjusting for anxiety and age.
• Other sleep continuity variables showed correlations with stress but were not significant predictors in the regression model.
• No significant correlation was found between pre-study stress levels and subsequent PSG data.

Conclusions:

• Moderately elevated stress over an extended period is associated with measurable signs of disturbed sleep.
• These findings suggest that chronic stress may contribute to sleep disturbances, with implications for workplace stress management.
• The study provides objective evidence linking subjective stress to objective sleep alterations.