Insomnia in university students: a review of etiological factors and the advancement of data analytic techniques

Insomnia is recognized as one of the major sleep disorders, with a growing prevalence rate worldwide, exerting various effects on individuals' physical and mental health. This disorder is characterized by difficulties in falling asleep, restless sleep, and staying awake for extended periods during the night. Insomnia among young adults, particularly students, is of special concern.

In this paper, we analyzed previous studies from multiple perspectives to draw a comprehensive conclusion. These researches were categorized according to various aspects, including the target population, geographical location, and study year. In addition, the factors influencing insomnia, as reported in each study, were extracted. Furthermore, the tools used for data collection and analysis in these studies were reviewed. These tools included questionnaires and methods of data analysis. The role of data analysis methods is crucial, and thus, the evolution of these tools has been examined in this research.

In the disk diffusion test, the inhibition zones of eugenol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde were 15 ± 1, 29 ± 2, and 30 ± 1 mm, respectively. The MIC of eugenol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde were 260, 119, and 128 µg/mL, respectively. The time-kill assay demonstrated the rapid bactericidal effects of eugenol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde at 2× MIC, with kill times of 6, 2, and 3 h, respectively. At the MIC, the kill times were 12, 10, and 12 h, respectively. These compounds significantly released proteins and nucleic acids from the treated bacteria. They also inhibited biofilm formation and disrupted mature biofilms. Furthermore, mrkA and treC expression levels were significantly reduced in the presence of eugenol and cinnamaldehyde.

These Findings can help develop effective strategies to improve students' sleep quality.