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Updated: May 28, 2026
04:33
Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Published on: April 26, 2024
Sleep irregularity and depression among U.S. adults: An accelerometer-based cross-sectional study in NHANES
Binyu Zhao1, Xianhong Huang2, Yingzi Xing3
1Department of Nursing, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, China; School of Nursing and Institute of Nursing Research, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Sleep Health
|May 26, 2026
Summary
Irregular sleep patterns increase depression risk, even with adequate sleep duration. Enhancing sleep regularity may help prevent and treat depression.
Area of Science:
- Sleep science
- Psychiatry
- Public health
Background:
- Sleep regularity is crucial for mental health.
- Depression is a significant public health concern.
- The interplay between sleep regularity, duration, and depression requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between accelerometer-measured sleep regularity and depression.
- To determine if recommended sleep duration modifies the impact of irregular sleep on depression.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 7402 adults from NHANES (2011-2014).
- Sleep regularity quantified using the Sleep Regularity Index (SRI).
- Depressive symptoms assessed via PHQ-9; logistic and linear regression models used.
Main Results:
- Irregular sleep patterns were linked to significantly higher odds of depression (OR 2.65).
- A linear relationship was observed between SRI and depression risk.
- This association persisted even when recommended sleep duration was met.
Conclusions:
- Sleep irregularity is an independent risk factor for depression.
- Interventions promoting sleep regularity may aid depression prevention and treatment.
- Sleep duration alone does not fully mitigate the depression risk associated with irregular sleep patterns.
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