Home-Based Sleep Sensor Measurements in an Older Australian Population: Before and during a Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sleep Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Older adults commonly experience poor sleep quality, including reduced sleep duration and increased awakenings.
• The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns presented unique challenges to sleep patterns globally.
• Objective sleep data during this period in older populations remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally and objectively assess changes in sleep patterns among older Australians during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.
• To investigate the impact of pandemic restrictions on key sleep parameters in an elderly cohort.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the EMFIT QS, a non-invasive mattress-based device, for continuous sleep monitoring.
• Collected objective sleep data from 31 older adults (average age 84) before (Nov 2019-Feb 2020) and during (Mar-May 2020) the lockdown.
• Measured total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, time to bed, and time out of bed.

Main Results:

• No significant overall change in total sleep time was observed.
• Women experienced a significant increase in total sleep time (36 min) and an earlier bedtime.
• Wake after sleep onset and sleep onset latency did not increase; sleep efficiency remained stable (84-85%).

Conclusions:

• Objective sleep measurements in community-dwelling older Australians did not significantly deteriorate during the 2020 pandemic lockdown.
• Findings suggest resilience in sleep patterns despite the pandemic, with some positive changes noted, particularly in women.
• This study provides reassurance regarding sleep health maintenance in older adults during periods of significant societal disruption.