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Sleep during naturally occurring respiratory infections: A pilot study
Julie Lasselin1, Michael Ingre2, Christina Regenbogen3
1Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|February 12, 2019
Summary
Respiratory infections (RI) increase sleep duration and time in bed, but also lead to objectively and subjectively disturbed sleep. Further research is needed to confirm if these sleep changes are adaptive for immune response.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Science
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infections are known to increase sleep drive in animals, suggesting sleep aids immune response.
- Human respiratory infections (RI) are common, yet their impact on sleep remains poorly understood.
- Existing research lacks systematic data on how RI affects human sleep patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of respiratory infections on objective and subjective sleep parameters in humans.
- To determine if sleep alterations during illness are linked to symptom severity.
- To explore potential adaptive roles of sleep changes during infection recovery.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 100 participants, with 28 experiencing RI (ILI or ARI).
- Monitored sleep objectively (actigraphy) and subjectively (diary) during illness and after recovery.
- Collected sleep data for one week during illness and four weeks later when healthy.
Main Results:
- Participants spent more time in bed and slept longer during RI compared to healthy periods.
- Objective sleep showed more awakenings but no changes in sleep latency or efficiency.
- Subjective reports indicated increased difficulty falling asleep, worse quality, and more restless/shallow sleep.
- Symptom severity correlated with poorer subjective sleep quality and restlessness, but not objective measures.
- Sleep disturbances improved as symptoms resolved, with interactions noted between condition and day/night.
Conclusions:
- Respiratory infections are associated with increased sleep duration and disturbed sleep, both objectively and subjectively.
- This pilot study highlights the need for larger investigations into pathogen types and predictors.
- Future research should explore whether sleep interventions can aid recovery from respiratory infections.
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