Overview of sleep management during COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sleep Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted sleep for millions globally, with insomnia symptoms reported in 20-45% of the population.
• Sleep deprivation exacerbates economic disruption, psychosocial issues, substance abuse, and suicide risk, posing a long-term public health challenge.
• Frontline healthcare workers are a particularly vulnerable group experiencing persistent insomnia and fatigue, even post-COVID-19 recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on disturbed sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To examine treatment strategies for pandemic-related sleep disturbances, including digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i).
• To discuss recommendations for managing sleep dysfunction using a tiered public health model.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of 53 publications from the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (up to February 2021).
• Analysis focused on studies describing sleep symptoms and exploring treatment modalities.
• Inclusion of research on digital CBT-i for both the general public and healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• The majority of research during the initial pandemic year focused on symptom description rather than treatment strategies.
• Digital CBT-i is identified as a potential intervention for widespread sleep disturbance.
• Evidence for the efficacy and acceptance of CBT-i in affected populations requires further controlled trials.

Conclusions:

• Disturbed sleep and associated mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, persist beyond acute COVID-19 infection.
• Interventions for sleep dysfunction are crucial during and after the pandemic.
• A public health approach, potentially leveraging digital CBT-i, is recommended for managing widespread sleep problems.