Environmental Noise Exposure and the Risk of Sleep Disturbance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Environmental noise exposure is a growing public health concern.
• Traffic noise is a major contributor to environmental noise pollution.
• Sleep disturbances have significant negative impacts on overall health and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the association between environmental noise and sleep disturbances.
• To quantify the effect size of different noise types on sleep.
• To identify factors influencing heterogeneity in study findings and inform public health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of major databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science) for publications from 2005-2025.
• Inclusion of 68 observational studies following PRISMA guidelines; meta-analysis using random-effects models.
• Exploration of heterogeneity and publication bias via subgroup analyses, meta-regression, sensitivity analyses, and Egger's test; certainty of evidence assessed using GRADE.

Main Results:

• Significant association found between traffic noise exposure and sleep disturbances (r values provided for different noise types).
• Aircraft (r=0.26) and railway noise (r=0.21) showed stronger associations than road traffic noise (r=0.15).
• Outcome assessment, study design, and region were key heterogeneity sources; evidence certainty rated as high.

Conclusions:

• Environmental noise, particularly traffic noise, substantially elevates the risk of sleep disturbances.
• Type-specific noise effects and a dose-response relationship were identified.
• Findings underscore the necessity of reducing nighttime traffic noise and enhancing residential noise control for population sleep health.