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The Complex Interplay Between Sleep and Healthy Aging: A Scoping Review
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi1, Carlotta Mutti2,3, Pietro Luca Ratti4,5
1Human Nutrition Unit (HNU), Department of Food and Drugs University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Nature and Science of Sleep
|December 8, 2025
Summary
Healthy aging is linked to sleep patterns. Both short and long sleep durations negatively impact aging, with moderate napping beneficial, but excessive napping detrimental. Further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sleep Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Sleep is vital for physical, cognitive, and psychological well-being in older adults.
- Changes in sleep patterns, architecture, and disturbances are common with aging.
- The precise links between sleep parameters and healthy aging outcomes require clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on associations between sleep parameters and healthy aging outcomes.
- To examine relationships between sleep duration, continuity, architecture, quality, and physical health, cognitive function, psychological well-being, and social engagement in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review following the Arksey and O'Malley framework and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines.
- Analysis of observational studies focusing on healthy older adults, excluding those with mental or physical illnesses.
- Examination of sleep-related measures including duration, continuity, architecture, and quality.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibit advanced sleep phases and reduced total sleep time compared to younger adults.
- A U-shaped relationship exists between sleep duration and healthy aging outcomes; both short and long sleep are detrimental.
- Decreased sleep efficiency, increased wake after sleep onset, and reduced slow-wave/REM sleep are associated with aging, impacting cognition and mood.
- Moderate daytime napping (<60 min/day) correlates with better sleep quality, while excessive napping is linked to reduced "successful aging".
- Discrepancies between subjective and objective sleep assessments suggest older adults may underreport sleep disturbances.
Conclusions:
- Gaps remain in understanding longitudinal sleep data and the mechanisms linking sleep to aging.
- Further research on napping's role is needed to inform interventions for promoting healthy aging.
- Clarifying sleep's impact on aging is crucial for developing targeted strategies to enhance well-being in older populations.
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