Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
Social Determinants of Health Predict Sleep-Wake Disturbances Among Patients Living With Primary Brain Tumors: A
Michelle L Wright1, Hope Miller1, Elizabeth Vera2
1Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA.
Introduction:
Sleep disturbance (SD) and sleep-related impairment (SRI) significantly impact the lives of primary brain tumor (PBT) patients. We aimed to describe the prevalence of SD and SRI in this population, determine the reliability of the PROMIS-SD and PROMIS-SRI instruments, and identify predictive factors to support the development of targeted interventions for at-risk individuals.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study evaluated SD and SRI in PBT patients enrolled in a Natural History Study who completed 1-year follow-up questionnaires (N = 229). Demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic data were analyzed to identify factors associated with SD and SRI. Descriptive statistics were used to report the prevalence of sleep problems, and linear regression analysis was conducted to identify predictive factors. The reliability of sleep-related instruments was calculated using Cronbach's alpha.
Results:
Fifteen percent of PBT participants reported clinically significant SD and 20% reported clinically significant SRI, which were associated with financial toxicity (p < 0.001), being unemployed (p ≤ 0.02), and taking psychotropic medication (p ≤ 0.002). Good internal consistency was demonstrated by the SD (0.923) and SRI (0.925) questionnaires in this population.
Conclusions:
In this study, social factors such as financial toxicity and employment status were associated with SD and SRI. Psychotropic medications also impacted SD and SRI in PTB survivors, but less so than financial toxicity. Social factors and other medications may impact sleep more strongly in PBT survivors than their previous treatment courses.
Implications For Cancer Survivors:
SD and SRI can be impacted by multiple factors, including those not related to PBT treatment, which should be considered by their providers.
Related Concept Videos
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Insomnia
Multiple factors contribute...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Understanding Sleep
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
Management of Insomnia

