Neural activation changes in response to pain following cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with comorbid fibromyalgia and insomnia: a pilot study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To examine whether cognitive behavioral treatments for insomnia (CBT-I) and pain (CBT-P) lead to neural activation changes in response to pain in fibromyalgia.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with fibromyalgia (mean age = 55.9, standard deviation = 12.2) underwent an experimental pain protocol during functional magnetic resonance imaging and completed 14-day diaries assessing total wake time, total sleep time, and pain intensity before and after CBT-I, CBT-P, or waitlist control. Random effects analysis of covariance identified regions with significant group (CBT-I, CBT-P, waitlist control) by time (baseline, post-treatment) interactions in blood oxygen level-dependent response to pain. Linear regressions using residualized change scores examined how changes in total wake time, total sleep time, and pain intensity were related to activation (blood oxygen level-dependent) changes.

RESULTS

Twelve regions exhibited small to moderate effects with significant interactions Ps < .00; right hemisphere: inferior frontal, middle occipital, and superior temporal gyri, insula, lentiform nucleus; left hemisphere: angular, superior temporal, midfrontal, inferior occipital, midtemporal, and inferior frontal gyri. Blood oxygen level-dependent response to pain decreased in 8 regions following CBT-I, and in 3 regions following CBT-P (CBT-I effects > CBT-P). Blood oxygen level-dependent response also increased in 3 regions following CBT-P and in 6 regions following waitlist control. Improved total wake time and/or total sleep time, not pain intensity, predicted decreased blood oxygen level-dependence in 7 regions (Ps < .05), accounting for 18%-47% of the variance.

CONCLUSIONS

CBT-I prompted greater decreases in neural activation in response to pain across more regions associated with pain and sleep processing than CBT-P. Reported sleep improvements may underlie those decreases. Future research examining the longer-term impact of CBT-I and improved sleep on central pain and sleep mechanisms is warranted.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Title: Sleep and Pain Interventions in Fibromyalgia (SPIN); Identifier: NCT02001077; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02001077.

CITATION

McCrae CS, Craggs JG, Curtis AF, et al. Neural activation changes in response to pain following cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with comorbid fibromyalgia and insomnia: a pilot study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(1):203-215.

Cannabis use as a moderator of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Cannabis use is common among young adults and has been proposed as a potential treatment for insomnia. However, controlled studies examining the impact of cannabis use on insomnia symptoms are rare. This secondary analysis of published trial data tested cannabis use during cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia (CBT-I) as a moderator of treatment efficacy.

METHODS

Young adults (ages 18-30 years) who reported past-month binge drinking (4/5+ drinks for women/men) and met DSM-5 and research diagnostic criteria for Insomnia Disorder were randomized to CBT-I (n=28) or sleep hygiene (SH; n=28). Interaction effects were tested using multilevel models. Outcomes included insomnia severity, actigraphy-assessed sleep efficiency, diary-assessed sleep quality, drinking quantity, and alcohol-related consequences.

RESULTS

Twenty-six participants (46%; 12 SH and 14 CBT-I) reported using cannabis during the treatment phase of the study, on an average of 23% of treatment days (range=3-100%). Relative to those who did not use cannabis, participants who used cannabis during treatment reported heavier drinking and more frequent cigarette use. Approximately 1 in 4 cannabis users (27%) reported using cannabis to help with sleep; however, cannabis and non-cannabis users did not differ in use of alcohol as a sleep aid. Controlling for sex, race, drinking quantity, cigarette use, symptoms of depression, and symptoms of anxiety, use of cannabis during treatment did not moderate CBT-I effects on insomnia severity (b= -.002, p=.99) or other outcomes (all p >.20).

CONCLUSIONS

CBT-I is effective in reducing insomnia symptoms among young adult drinkers with insomnia, regardless of cannabis use.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT03627832.

Using Telehealth to Deliver Family-Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia in a School-Aged Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Chronic insomnia (>3 months) is common in children with autism. Cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia in children (CBT-CI) holds promise for improving sleep and daytime functioning in school-aged children with autism and their parents, but typical delivery involving multiple in-person office visits limits accessibility. This case study describes telehealth delivery of CBT-CI (teleCBT-CI) with a 7-year 4-month-old biracial boy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and insomnia and his parents. He and his mother wore actigraphs and completed electronic sleep diaries for 2 weeks, and his mother completed the Aberrant Behavior Checklist at pre/post/1-month follow-up. He and both of his parents completed eight telehealth treatment sessions. TeleCBT-CI improved the boy's sleep (objective, subjective) and decreased irritability, lethargy, stereotypy, and hyperactivity. This case study shows that teleCBT-CI is feasible and can improve child sleep and functioning.

Protocol for targeting insomnia in school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability: a randomised control trial

INTRODUCTION

Insomnia affects up to 80% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Negative consequences of insomnia in ASD include decreased quality of life (QOL), impaired learning and cognition, increased stereotypic and challenging behaviours, and increased parental stress. Cognitive behavioural treatment for childhood insomnia (CBT-CI) is a promising treatment for dealing with insomnia and its negative consequences but has not yet been studied in school-aged children with ASD and comorbid insomnia. Access to healthcare is another challenge for children with ASD, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Previous studies indicate that ASD and insomnia share common arousal-based underpinnings, and we hypothesise that CBT-CI will reduce the hyperarousal associated with insomnia and ASD. This trial will be the first to examine CBT-CI adapted for children with ASD and will provide new information about two different modes of delivery across a variety of primary and secondary child and parent sleep and related outcomes. Knowledge obtained from this trial might allow us to develop new or modify current treatments to better target childhood insomnia and ASD.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Children (N=180) 6-12 years of age with ASD and insomnia will be recruited from an established autism database, a paediatric clinic and community outreach in the Columbia, MO and surrounding areas. Participants will be randomised to CBT-CI adapted for children with ASD (in-person or remote using computers with cameras) or Sleep Hygiene and Related Education. Participants will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment, 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. The following assessments will be completed regarding the children: objective and subjective sleep, daytime functioning (adaptive functioning, attention, challenging behaviours, anxiety), QOL and physiological arousal (heart rate variability) and parents: objective and subjective sleep, daytime functioning (anxiety, depression, fatigue), QOL, physiological arousal and parental burden/stress.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval was obtained in January 2020 from the University of Missouri. Ethics approval was obtained in July 2020 from the US Army Medical Research and Development Command, Office of Research Protections and Human Research Protection Office. All data are expected to be collected by 2024. Full trial results are planned to be published by 2025. Secondary analyses of baseline data will be subsequently published.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04545606; Pre-results.

Sleep and alcohol use among young adult drinkers with Insomnia: A daily process model

BACKGROUND

Previous studies examining associations between sleep and alcohol use have done so primarily at the aggregate (between-person) level and primarily among healthy young adults. This study aimed to examine reciprocal, within-person associations between sleep and alcohol use among young adult drinkers with insomnia.

METHODS

Young adults who engaged in past-month binge drinking and met diagnostic criteria for insomnia (N = 56) wore wrist actigraphy and completed online daily diaries assessing sleep and drinking for an average of 8.52 days (SD = 2.31), resulting in 477 reports. Multilevel models were used to examine within- and between-person effects of sleep quality and efficiency on alcohol use and vice versa. Bedtime and waketime were included as secondary sleep parameters.

RESULTS

Participants reported drinking on 231 days (48%). Participants did not report significantly different sleep quality on heavier-drinking days, nor did they demonstrate significant changes in actigraphy-measured sleep efficiency. However, they self-reported better sleep efficiency on heavier-drinking days (driven primarily by improvements in sleep onset latency), and they reported heavier drinking following days of better sleep efficiency (driven by improvements in total sleep time). Drinking was also associated with later bedtimes and waketimes.

CONCLUSIONS

Young adult drinkers with insomnia report reciprocal associations between subjective sleep efficiency and alcohol use, but these results were not replicated using objective measures. Providers may need to challenge the belief that there is a positive association between alcohol use and sleep among young adults who drink and have insomnia.

Impact of Sex on COVID-19 Media Exposure, Anxiety, Perceived Risk, and Severity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

To examine associations between COVID-19 media exposure and anxiety/perceived risk/severity and investigate their dependency on sex in middle-aged/older adults.

METHODS

Adults aged 50+ years completed online surveys: Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, COVID-19 media exposure, COVID-19 media dependency for health information, and COVID-19 perceived risk and severity. Multiple regressions examined independent and interactive (with sex) associations between COVID-19 media exposure/dependency and COVID-19 anxiety/perceived risk and severity. Analyses controlled for age, education, race, total medical conditions, and COVID-19 status.

RESULTS

Higher COVID-19 media exposure was associated with higher COVID-19 anxiety among men (not women) and higher perceived risk/severity in both sexes. Higher COVID-19 media dependency was associated with higher COVID-19 anxiety and perceived risk/severity in both sexes.

CONCLUSION

In middle-aged/older adults, the use/dependency of media for COVID-19 information may be linked to negative psychological health and increased COVID-19 perceived risk and severity. Men may be at increased risk of anxiety related to media exposure.

Protocol for the Project SAVE randomised controlled trial examining CBT for insomnia among veterans in treatment for alcohol use disorder

INTRODUCTION

As many as 74% of veterans with alcohol use disorders (AUDS) report symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia represents a barrier to alcohol treatment because insomnia symptoms (1) may lead to relapse among those who use alcohol to help them sleep and may negatively impact (2) executive functions and (3) emotion regulation skills. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an efficacious first-line treatment for insomnia; however, no research has examined the impact of CBT-I on individuals' response to alcohol treatment. In the Sleep and Alcohol for Veterans (Project SAVE) randomised controlled trial, we hypothesise that CBT-I will enhance the efficacy of alcohol treatment among Veterans with insomnia by enhancing their abilities to attend to treatment, regulate emotions and initiate sleep without alcohol.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Eighty Veterans enrolled in alcohol treatment at the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital will be randomly assigned to receive either CBT-I or single-session sleep hygiene (SH) education. Individuals will be eligible to participate if they meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for moderate to severe AUD and Insomnia Disorder of at least 1-month duration. Participants will complete assessments at baseline, post-treatment and 6-week follow-up. Preliminary process outcomes include retention/recruitment rates and treatment satisfaction (feasibility and acceptability, respectively). Primary outcomes are insomnia severity, percentage of heavy-drinking days and alcohol-related problems. We will assess a variety of secondary clinical and mechanistic outcomes (eg, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, attention and working memory).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval was obtained in October 2018. Data collection began in July 2019 and is planned for completion by July 2021. Trial results will be disseminated at local and national conferences, in peer-reviewed publications and through media outlets, as available. Results will also be shared with interested participants and clinical collaborators at the end of the trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03806491 (pre-results).

Modest sleep restriction does not influence steps, physical activity intensity or glucose tolerance in obese adults

Sleep restriction (SR) (<6 h) and physical activity (PA) are risk factors for obesity, but little work has examined the inter-related influences of both risk factors. In a free-living environment, 13 overweight/obese adults were sleep restricted for five nights to 6 h time-in-bed each night, with and without regular exercise (45 min/65% VO₂ max; counterbalanced design). Two days of recovery sleep followed SR. Subjects were measured during a mixed meal tolerance test (MMT), resting metabolic rate, cognitive testing and fat biopsy (n=8). SR increased peak glucose response (+7.3 mg/dl, p = .04), elevated fasting non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations (+0.1 mmol/L, p = .001) and enhanced fat oxidation (p < .001) without modifying step counts or PA intensity. Inclusion of daily exercise increased step count (+4,700 steps/day, p < .001) and decreased the insulin response to a meal (p = .01) but did not prevent the increased peak glucose response or elevated NEFA levels. The weekend recovery period improved fasting glucose (p = .02), insulin (p = .02), NEFA concentrations (p = .001) and HOMA-IR (p < .01) despite reduced steps (p < .01) and increased sedentary time (p < .01). Abdominal adipose tissue (AT) samples, obtained after baseline, SR and exercise, did not differ in lipolytic capacity following SR. Fatty acid synthase protein content tended to increase following SR (p = .07), but not following exercise. In a free-living setting, SR adversely affected circulating NEFAs, fuel oxidation and peak glucose response but did not directly affect glucose tolerance or AT lipolysis. SR-associated metabolic impairments were not mitigated by exercise, yet recovery sleep completely rescued its adverse effects on glucose metabolism.

648 Associations between objective afternoon and evening physical activity and polysomnographic sleep in fibromyalgia

Introduction

Patients with fibromyalgia (FM) suffer from pain which limits physical activity and disrupts sleep. Research examining the relationship between pre-bedtime physical activity, pain, and objective sleep is limited. This study examined whether objectively measured activity levels (via actigraphy), pain intensity, or their interaction are associated with polysomnographic sleep outcomes and sleep architecture.

Methods

Adults with FM (n=158, Mage=52, SD=12, 93% female) completed 14 daily pain ratings, 14 days of actigraphy, and a single night of polysomnography. Activity levels (i.e., magnitude of wrist motion captured per 30 second epoch) were recorded, and average afternoon/evening activity for intervals 12:00-15:00, 15:00-18:00, and 18:00-21:00 was computed, removing days in which participants slept during these periods. Sleep architecture was quantified as the percentage of sleep time in rapid eye movement (%rem) and non-rem (i.e. %stage 1, %stage 2, and %stage 3). Multiple regressions examined whether average afternoon/evening activity, average evening pain [0 (no pain)–100 (most intense pain imaginable)], or their interaction predicted polysomnographic sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), sleep efficiency (SE), %stage 1, %stage 2, %stage 3, and %rem, controlling for age, body mass index, average individual bedtime, time in bed, and sleep or pain medication usage.

Results

Greater afternoon activity from 12:00-15:00 was independently associated with lower SE (B= -.08, p=.01), greater WASO (B=.45, p&lt;.001), and greater %stage 1 (B=.04, p&lt;.01). Pain intensity interacted with physical activity from 12:00-15:00 such that the association between physical activity and higher WASO (p=.05) and greater %stage 1 (p&lt;.01) was stronger for individuals with higher pain. Pain intensity and activity from 15:00-18:00, and 18:00-21:00 were not associated with sleep outcomes.

Conclusion

Our results suggest greater afternoon activity is associated with greater polysomnographic sleep fragmentation and greater %stage 1 sleep in FM, and these relationships are stronger for individuals with higher pain. These relationships are consistent with activity pacing recommendations for chronic pain and suggest pacing in the afternoon may be important for good sleep in FM. However, future research examining causal pathways linking physical activity levels and timing, pain, and sleep is needed.

Support (if any)

Support: NIAMS (R01AR055160/R01AR005160- S1;PI McCrae). Data collected at University of Florida (Clinical Trial-NCT02001077;PI McCrae).

384 Sleep, Pain, and Cognition in Women with Chronic Widespread Pain and Insomnia

Introduction

Our team has shown pain interacts with sleep in its association with cognition in cardiac patients and older adults, such that better sleep is associated with better cognitive performance in individuals reporting high pain. Whether these associations exist in the context of chronic pain is unknown. This study examines these associations in women with chronic widespread pain and insomnia (CWPI) and extends our prior findings by including objective/subjective pain measures.

Methods

43 adult women (Mage=47.30, SD=13.93) with CWPI completed 14 daily diaries measuring wake time after sleep onset-WASO and total sleep time-TST. Daily diaries and thermal application [thermode on foot plantar] assessed subjective pain [0–100(most intense)]. Tender point testing assessed objective pain threshold [force(kg) on 18 tender points until painful]. Participants completed cognition tasks: Stroop (attention/processing speed) and Sternberg (working memory). Multiple regressions evaluated whether sleep (average WASO/TST) interacted with average subjective (diary/thermal ratings) and objective (force) pain in its association with cognition (Stroop reaction time (RT) on congruent trials/Sternberg #correct), controlling for age/education.

Results

WASO interacted with subjective pain (daily-B=.0003, SE=.0001, p=.009; thermal-B=.0002, SE=.004, p=.01) in its association with attention/processing speed. Higher WASO was associated with longer Stroop RT in high pain (~70/100) participants (B=.005, SE=.003, p=.047) and faster RT in low pain (~30/100) participants (B=-.009, SE=.004, p=.03). Higher WASO was associated with longer Stroop RT in those with high (~74/100; B=.01, SE=.002, p=.01), but not average (~46/100) or low (~19/100) thermal pain ratings (ps&gt;.05). TST interacted with daily pain in its association with attention/processing speed (B=.001, SE=.00, p=.005). In participants with high (B=-.003, SE=.001, p=.02), not average (~50/100) or low pain (~30/100, ps&gt;.05), longer TST was associated with faster Stroop RT. In those with low (~1kg, B=.07, SE=.02, p&lt;.001) and average (~2kg, B=.05, SE=.01, p=.002) pain thresholds, longer TST was associated with better Sternberg performance (trending interaction: B=-.03, SE=.02, p=.09).

Conclusion

In CWPI patients with high pain, better sleep was associated with better cognitive performance. These findings suggest sleep may hold potential to mitigate pain’s impact on cognition. Future studies should examine whether interventions that target sleep also improve cognition in chronic pain patients with high pain.

Support (if any)

NINR(R01NR017168)/ClinicalTrials.gov(NCT02001077), PI McCrae.

580 Psychosocial Functioning Mediates Parental Depression and Sleep Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introduction

Parents who have been diagnosed with depression often report that their children have poor sleep behaviors. This relationship may occur because the children of parents with depression are more likely experience poor psychosocial functioning, which can negatively impact their sleep. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are particularly at risk for sleep difficulties, and it is important to better understand these relationships as scant to no research has been done which investigates parental depression, child psychosocial functioning, and child sleep among children with ASD. The current study examined whether parental perception of their child’s psychosocial functioning mediated the relationship between parental depression and their child’s sleep behaviors.

Methods

The sample (N=36) consisted of parents (81% female) reporting on their children aged 6–12 (M=8.56, SD = 1.86; 75% male). All children were diagnosed with ASD and had sleep complaints as reported by their parents. Children and their parents were recruited because they expressed interest in a behavioral treatment sleep study and these data come from the baseline data collection associated with that study. Measures included Sleep Behaviors factor from the Child Sleep Health Questionnaire (CSHQ), the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), and a question asking if the parent had been diagnosed with depression.

Results

Analyses were conducting using AMOS 27.0. Child psychosocial functioning significantly mediated (β = .12) the relation between parental depression and child sleep behavior. Parents who had been diagnosed with depression were more likely to report greater child psychosocial difficulties (β =.39, p = .01) and child psychosocial difficulties were associated with a greater likelihood of the child having worse sleep behavior (β =.32, p = .04). The direct effect between parental depression and child sleep behavior was not significant.

Conclusion

These results indicate that child psychosocial functioning may help to explain the connection between diagnosed parental depression and poor child sleep behavior among children with ASD. This suggests that psychosocial functioning may be an important aspect to target in sleep interventions, particularly for children with ASD.

Support (if any)

University of Missouri Research Board Grant (McCrae, PI); United States Department of Defense USAMRAA Autism Research Program (McCrae, PI; CTA AR190047).

579 Child Sleep Onset Latency Mediates Parental Depression and Non-Compliance in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introduction

Parents who have been diagnosed with depression often report that their children are not compliant and have difficulty falling asleep. Parents with depression are less likely to be consistent or enforce bedtimes resulting in the child having less bedtime rules and getting less sleep. Overtime this may mean the child develops poor sleep habits and difficulty falling asleep. Although these relationships have yet to be studied in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is an important area given the high prevalence of children with ASD who have sleep difficulties. The current study examined whether parent-reported child sleep onset latency mediated the relationship between parental depression and child non-compliance.

Methods

The sample (N=50) consisted of parents (81% female) reporting on their children aged 6–12 (M=8.63, SD = 2.00; 76% male). All children were diagnosed with ASD and had parent reported sleep complaints. Children and their parents were recruited because they expressed interest in a behavioral treatment sleep study and these data come from the baseline data collection associated with that study. Measures included sleep onset latency on the Child Sleep Health Questionnaire (CSHQ), an item on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) which asked if a child follows rules, and a question asking if the parent had been diagnosed with depression.

Results

Analyses were conducting using AMOS 27.0. Slightly less than half (45%) of parents reported having been diagnosed with depression. Parent-reported child sleep onset latency significantly mediated (β =.13) the relation between parental depression and non-compliance. Parents who had been diagnosed with depression were associated with greater child sleep onset latency (β =.32, p = .04) and greater child sleep onset latency was associated with greater non-compliance (β =.40, p = .01). The direct effect between parental depression and non-compliance was not significant.

Conclusion

These results suggest that difficulty falling asleep may help to explain why children of parents who have depression are not compliant. Future research should utilize longitudinal and experimental methodology to determine the causality of these relationships.

Support (if any)

University of Missouri Research Board Grant (McCrae, PI); United States Department of Defense USAMRAA Autism Research Program (McCrae, PI; CTA AR190047).

037 Subjective sleep and objective cognition in middle-aged and older adults: Does sex matter?

Introduction

Worse sleep has been linked to cognitive dysfunction in aging populations. There are known sex differences in the prevalence and presentation of both sleep disturbance and cognitive impairment, but research investigating sex differences in the associations between sleep and objective cognition is limited and inconclusive. We examined sex as a moderator of associations between self-reported sleep and objective cognitive performance in middle-aged/older adults.

Methods

Sixty-four adults aged 50+ (Mage= 63.8, SD=7.7; 33 men/31 women) who were cognitively healthy (no mild cognitive impairment, dementia or neurological disorders) completed an online survey (via Qualtrics) measuring self-reported sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI). Participants completed online cognitive tasks (via Inquisit) measuring inhibition (Stroop task; interference reaction time scores), attentional orienting (Posner Endogenous Cueing Task; reaction time difference between invalidly cued and validly cued trials), and working memory (Sternberg task; proportion correct). Multiple regressions examined whether PSQI subscores (sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep efficiency) were independently associated with or interacted with sex in their associations with cognition, controlling for age and education.

Results

Sex interacted with sleep quality in the association with endogenous attentional orienting (p=.01, R-squared=.10). Specifically, worse sleep quality was associated with worse attentional orienting in women (B=22.73, SE=9.53, p=.02) but not men (p=.24). Sex interacted with PSQI-sleep duration (p=.03, R-squared=.08) and PSQI-sleep efficiency (p=.03, R-squared=.08) in the association with inhibition performance. Specifically, worse sleep duration (B=235.28, SE=77.51, p=.004) and sleep efficiency (B=211.73, SE=68.70, p=.003) were associated with worse interference scores in men but not women (ps&gt;.05). No variables were associated with working memory.

Conclusion

In middle-aged and older adults, sex moderates associations between self-reported sleep and objective cognition, depending on the sleep parameter and cognitive ability assessed. Findings suggest that women are more vulnerable to the effects of poor sleep quality on spatial attention, whereas men are more vulnerable to the effects of shorter sleep duration and worse overall sleep fragmentation on ability to inhibit task-irrelevant stimuli. Future studies should investigate sex-specific associations between sleep and cognition over time in order to better understand the prospective trajectories of these processes during aging.

Support (if any):

065 Sleep and Gray Matter Volume: The Role of Physiological Arousal

Introduction

Insomnia is associated with increased arousal. Brain regions involved in chronic insomnia are diffuse and the potential interactive role of physiological arousal in the association between insomnia symptoms and neural regions is unknown. This study examined whether physiological arousal (heart rate variability, HRV) moderated the association between sleep and gray matter (GM) volume of frontal [dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)] and temporal [right/left (R/L) hippocampus] regions in adults with comorbid chronic widespread pain and insomnia (CWPI).

Methods

Forty-seven adults with CWPI (Mage=46.00, SD=13.88, 89% women) completed two weeks of diaries measuring sleep onset latency (SOL), wake time after sleep onset (WASO) and total sleep time (TST). Resting HRV was assessed via Holter monitoring (5 minutes). Root mean squared standard deviation of successive normal-to-normal heartbeats (RMSDNN) was computed. T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were obtained, segmented and co-registered to MNI space. GM volumes (DLPFC, ACC, R/L hippocampus) were estimated (FSL). Multiple regressions examined whether SOL, WASO or TST were independently associated with or interacted with RMSDNN in their associations with GM volumes, controlling for age.

Results

SOL interacted with RMSDNN in its association with ACC (B=-4.60, SE=2.06, p=.03, R-squared=.06). Longer SOL was associated with lower ACC volume at highest RMSDNN (lowest arousal; B=-103.54, SE=42.82, p=.02), not average/lowest RMSDNN (highest arousal, ps&gt;.05). TST interacted with RMSDNN in its association with R hippocampus (B=-.22, SE=.10, p=.04, R-squared=.07). Shorter TST was associated with lower R hippocampal volume at lowest RMSDNN (highest arousal; B=7.39, SE=2.29, p=.002) and average RMSDNN (B=4.18, SE=1.50, p=.008), not highest RMSDNN (lowest arousal; p=.64). There was a trending association between WASO and R hippocampus volume (B=-13.67, SE=7.28, p=.07).

Conclusion

In patients with CWPI and highest physiological arousal, achieving longer TST may be important in terms of associations with right hippocampus volume. Improving (reducing) SOL may only impact ACC volume in those with lower physiological arousal. Trends of association between longer WASO and reduced right hippocampus volume warrant follow-up in larger samples. Findings highlight the interactive role of physiological arousal (HRV) in the neural mechanisms associated with sleep in CWPI.

Support (if any)

National Institute of Nursing Research (NR017168; Clinical trial: NCT02001077; PI: McCrae).

383 Cortical thickness moderates association between sleep architecture and pain in adults with fibromyalgia

Introduction

Fibromyalgia is associated with chronic widespread pain and insomnia. While sleep and pain are mutually influential, how the cortical thickness (CT) of pain-related brain regions influences that relationship (i.e., sleep architecture and evening/morning pain) is unknown. This study examined how the CT of two regions involved in pain processing - the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and insula - influenced the link between sleep architecture and evening vs next morning pain in women with fibromyalgia.

Methods

Thirty adults with fibromyalgia and insomnia (Mage=57.2, SD=13.1) completed overnight polysomnography and daily diaries (14 days) tracking sleep and pain [0–100 (most intense). Pain discrepancy (PD) is the average difference between nighttime and next morning pain (evening - morning). Participants underwent MRI, and FreeSurfer (v5.1.0) estimated CT. Multiple regressions examined CT’s influence on the sleep stage [%stage1, %stage2, %stage3, %rapid eye movement (REM)] and PD relationship (controlling for age and education). For significant CT moderation, significance of simple slopes at different CT levels were examined: high (1 SD above), average, and low (1 SD below).

Results

Right rostral ACC (rRACC) CT moderated the relationship between %stage2 (B=-1.41, SE=0.6, p=.03, R^2=0.14), %stage3 (B=2.10, SE=0.97, p=.04, R^2 =0.13), %REM (B=2.35, SE=1.12, p=.04, R^2=0.13) and PD. Greater %stage2 was associated with higher morning vs evening pain at high rRACC thickness (B=-0.67, SE=0.22, p=0.005). Greater %stage3 (B=0.97, SE=0.38, p=0.02) and %REM (B=0.92, SE=0.42, p=0.04) were associated with lower morning pain vs evening pain at high, but not average or low rRACC thickness. Left insula CT moderated the association between increased %stage3 and lower morning vs evening pain (B=2.91, SE=1.18, p=.02, R^2=0.34) at the average and high, but not low thickness levels (B=0.36, SE=0.17, p=0.05; B=1.41, SE=0.48, p=0.008 respectively).

Conclusion

High cortical thickness in the rRACC and average to high L-insula cortical thickness moderated the association between restorative sleep (%stage3, REM) and lower morning vs evening pain. Future studies examining the role of CT in pain-related brain regions on the association of restorative sleep with overnight pain processing are warranted.

Support (if any)

National Institute of Nursing Research (NR017168; PI: McCrae). Clinical trial NCT02001077 Sleep and Pain Interventions (SPIN2), University of Missouri (PI: McCrae).

372 Sleep Hygiene Compliance and Sleep in Young Adult Drinkers with Insomnia: A Daily Analysis

Introduction

Empirical evidence linking sleep hygiene practices to subsequent sleep parameters – and the extent to which those compare to evidence-based practices such as stimulus control – is limited. This study examined the daily impact of recommendation compliance on sleep in a sample of young adult drinkers with insomnia.

Methods

Young adults (18-30y; N=56, 75% female) who met diagnostic criteria for insomnia and reported past-month binge drinking wore wrist actigraphy and completed online sleep diaries for 7+ days (492 reports). Diaries assessed compliance with nine sleep hygiene recommendations: to limit naps; limit caffeine; avoid caffeine after 12p; avoid tobacco, alcohol, vigorous exercise, and heavy meals within 2 hours of bedtime; avoid bright light within 30 minutes of bedtime; and utilize a bedtime routine. If participants reported wake after sleep onset, diaries also assessed if they had gotten out of bed and returned to bed only when sleepy (partial stimulus control instructions). Multilevel models examined three outcomes: sleep quality, self-reported sleep efficiency, and actigraphy-measured sleep efficiency (α=.05/3≤.017). Covariates included gender; college enrollment; weekday versus weekend; and between-person differences in insomnia severity, hazardous drinking, and average compliance,

Results

Participants self-reported better sleep efficiency on days that they avoided naps (B=3.64, p=.004; 95% CI=1.20, 6.08). They also self-reported better sleep quality (B=0.40, p&lt;.001; 95% CI=0.19, 0.60) and sleep efficiency (B=3.94, p&lt;.001; 95% CI=1.76; 6.12) on days that they followed stimulus control. Surprisingly, they reported worse sleep quality (B=-0.28, p=.017; 95% CI=-0.51, -0.05) and sleep efficiency (B=-3.74, p=.002; 95% CI=-6.08, -1.40) on days that they avoided alcohol use before bedtime. No variables were significantly associated with actigraphy-based sleep efficiency. At the between-person level, participants reporting more at-risk drinking reported worse sleep quality (B=-0.04, p=.017; 95% CI=-0.08, -0.01).

Conclusion

Data provide empirical support for recommendations that young adult drinkers with insomnia avoid naps and get out of bed during nighttime awakenings. Although heavier drinkers reported worse sleep quality than lighter drinkers, they also reported better subjective (but not objective) sleep on nights they drank close to bedtime. We speculate that this is due to later bedtimes on heavy-drinking nights.

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University of Missouri Research Board (PI Miller)

672 COVID-19 Anxiety and Sleep in Middle-aged and Older Adults: Impact of Age and Sex

Introduction

COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory illness that was declared a pandemic in March 2020. During the course of COVID-19, studies have demonstrated worsening sleep quality and anxiety. No studies have examined age-related and sex-specific associations between COVID-19 anxiety and sleep in aging populations. We examined associations between COVID-19 anxiety and sleep, and evaluated age and sex as moderators, in middle-aged/older adults.

Methods

Two hundred and seventy-seven middle-aged/older adults aged 50+ (Mage=64.68, SD=7.83; 44% women) living in the United States who were cognitively healthy (no cognitive impairment/dementia/neurological disorders) completed an online Qualtrics survey in July/August 2020 measuring sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI) and COVID-19 anxiety (Coronavirus Anxiety Scale; CAS). Multiple regressions examined whether CAS was independently associated with or interacted with age or sex in its associations with PSQI total score/subscores (sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction), controlling for age, education, number of medical conditions, sleep/pain medication use, and COVID-19 status.

Results

CAS interacted with age (B=-.008, SE=.003 p=.02, R-squared=.02), not sex (p=.31), in its association with sleep duration. Higher CAS was associated with shorter sleep duration in oldest-older adults (~73 years old; B=.12, SE=.05, p=.01) and younger-older adults (~65 years old; B=.07, SE=.03, p=.02), not middle-aged adults (~57 years old, p=.47). CAS interacted with age (B=.01, SE=.004, p=.02), not sex (p=.56), in its association with sleep efficiency. Higher CAS was associated with worse sleep efficiency in oldest-older adults (B=.14, SE=.05, p=.009) and younger-older adults (B=.08, SE=.04, p=.03), not middle-aged adults (p=.60). Higher CAS was associated with greater daytime dysfunction (B=.26, SE=.07, p<.001) and higher PSQI total score (B=.82, SE=.33, p=.01), and did not interact with age or sex (ps>.05).

Conclusion

Increased COVID-19 anxiety is associated with several aspects of worse sleep (shorter sleep duration, sleep efficiency) in older adults but not middle-aged adults. Generally, in middle-aged/older adults, higher COVID-19 anxiety is associated with worse daytime dysfunction and overall sleep quality. Sex does not moderate these associations. Increased COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in aging populations may translate to increased anxiety and subsequent sleep disruptions. Interventions aimed at mitigating negative pandemic-related psychological and sleep outcomes may be particularly relevant for older adults.

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Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia among young adults who are actively drinking: a randomized pilot trial

STUDY OBJECTIVES

More than half of young adults at risk for alcohol-related harm report symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia symptoms, in turn, have been associated with alcohol-related problems. Yet one of the first-line treatments for insomnia (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia or CBT-I) has not been tested among individuals who are actively drinking. This study tested (1) the feasibility and short-term efficacy of CBT-I among binge-drinking young adults with insomnia and (2) improvement in insomnia as a predictor of improvement in alcohol use outcomes.

METHODS

Young adults (ages 18-30 years, 75% female, 73% college students) who met criteria for Insomnia Disorder and reported 1+ binge drinking episode (4/5+ drinks for women/men) in the past month were randomly assigned to 5 weekly sessions of CBT-I (n = 28) or single-session sleep hygiene (SH, n = 28). All participants wore wrist actigraphy and completed daily sleep surveys for 7+ days at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Of those randomized, 43 (77%) completed posttreatment (19 CBT-I, 24 SH) and 48 (86%) completed 1-month follow-up (23 CBT-I, 25 SH). CBT-I participants reported greater posttreatment decreases in insomnia severity than those in SH (56% vs. 32% reduction in symptoms). CBT-I did not have a direct effect on alcohol use outcomes; however, mediation models indicated that CBT-I influenced change in alcohol-related consequences indirectly through its influence on posttreatment insomnia severity.

CONCLUSIONS

CBT-I is a viable intervention among individuals who are actively drinking. Research examining improvement in insomnia as a mechanism for improvement in alcohol-related consequences is warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03627832, registration #NCT03627832.

Daily associations between sleep and opioid use among adults with comorbid symptoms of insomnia and fibromyalgia

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Disturbed sleep and use of opioid pain medication are common among individuals with chronic pain. Anecdotally, opioids are thought to promote sleep by relieving pain. This study aimed to determine whether opioid use is associated with daily sleep parameters (and vice versa) in adults with comorbid symptoms of insomnia and fibromyalgia.

METHODS

Individuals reporting symptoms of insomnia and opioid use for fibromyalgia (n = 65, 93% women, 79% White) wore wrist actigraphy and completed daily diaries for 14 days (910 observations). Analyses examined daily associations between opioid dose (measured in lowest recommended dosage units) and three sleep parameters (actigraphy/self-reported total wake time and self-reported sleep quality). Multilevel models were used to account for the clustering of daily sleep and opioid assessments (level 1) within individuals (level 2).

RESULTS

Opioid use did not have a significant daily effect on total wake time or sleep quality, and sleep parameters did not significantly impact opioid use the next day; however, participants reported worse sleep quality and greater doses of opioids on evenings that they experienced greater pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Among adults reporting symptoms of insomnia and opioid use for fibromyalgia pain, opioid use is not reliably associated with wake time or sleep quality that night, and these sleep parameters are not significantly associated with opioid use the next day; however, evening pain has an adverse daily impact on both sleep quality and opioid use. Studies identifying strategies to prevent and manage fibromyalgia pain are needed, especially for individuals reporting comorbid insomnia and opioid use.

Insomnia treatment effects among young adult drinkers: Secondary outcomes of a randomized pilot trial

BACKGROUND

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has moderate-to-large effects on insomnia among young adult drinkers, with preliminary data indicating that improvements in insomnia may have downstream effects on alcohol-related consequences. However, the mechanism(s) by which insomnia treatment may facilitate reductions in alcohol-related problems is unclear. Secondary outcome data from a randomized pilot trial were used to examine CBT-I effects on four proposed mediators of the insomnia/alcohol link: alcohol craving, delay discounting, negative affect, and difficulties with emotion regulation.

METHODS

Young adults (ages 18 to 30 years) with insomnia who reported 1+ binge drinking episode (4/5+ drinks for women/men) in the past month were randomized to receive CBT-I (n = 28) or to a sleep hygiene control (n = 28). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 5 weeks of treatment, and at 1-month posttreatment.

RESULTS

Relative to those in sleep hygiene, CBT-I participants reported greater decreases in alcohol craving (d = 0.33) at the end of treatment and greater 1-month posttreatment decreases in delay discounting of large rewards (d = 0.42). CBT-I did not have a significant effect on delay discounting of smaller rewards or momentary negative affect. There was also no significant treatment effect on difficulties with emotion regulation, although findings were confounded by a significant group difference at baseline in difficulties with emotion regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of insomnia may lead to improvements in alcohol craving and delay discounting of large rewards among young adult drinkers with insomnia. Additional research examining whether improvement in insomnia is a mechanism for improvement in addiction domains is warranted.

Impact of a brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTi) on metacognition in older adults

INTRODUCTION

Brief (≤4 sessions) behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTi) improves insomnia symptoms in older adults. Findings for BBTi-related improvements in objective cognition are mixed, with our recent trial reporting no effects. Metacognition (appraisal of one's own performance) has not been examined. This study examined the effects of BBTi on metacognition in older adults with insomnia.

METHODS

Older adults with insomnia [N = 62, Mage = 69.45 (SD = 7.71)] were randomized to 4-weeks of BBTi (n = 32; psychoeducation, sleep hygiene, stimulus control, sleep restriction, relaxation, review/maintenance) or self-monitoring control (SMC; n = 30; social conversations). Throughout the study (2 week baseline, 4 week treatment, 2 week post-treament, 2 week 3-month followup), participants completed daily paper/pencil cognitive tasks (measuring verbal memory, attention, processing speed and reasoning) and provided daily metacognition ratings of their performance in four areas: quality, satisfaction, compared to same age peers, compared to own ability. Two-week averages of metacognitive ratings were calculated for baseline, treatment-first half, treatment-second half, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Multilevel Modeling examined treatment effects (BBTi/SMC) over time on metacognition, controlling for age and sex.

RESULTS

A significant group by time interaction (p = 0.05) revealed consistent improvements over time in better metacognitive ratings relative to same age peers for BBTi. Specifically, baseline ratings [mean (M) = 51.21, standard error (SE) = 3.15] improved at first half of treatment (M = 56.65, SE = 3.15, p < 0.001), maintained improvement at second-half of treatment (p = 0.18), showed additional improvement at post-treatment (M = 60.79, SE = 3.15, p = 0.02), and maintained improvement at follow-up (M = 62.30, SE = 3.15; p = 0.02). SMC prompted inconsistent and smaller improvements between baseline (M = 53.24, SE = 3.29) and first-half of treatment (M = 56.62, SE = 3.28; p = 0.004), with additional improvement at second-half of treatment (M = 59.39, SE = 3.28; p = 0.02) that was maintained at post-treatment (p = 0.73) and returned to levels observed at first-half of treatment (M = 57.78, SE = 3.21; p = 0.55). Significant main effects of time (all ps < 0.001) for other metacognition variables (Quality, Satisfaction, Compared to own ability) indicated general improvements over time for both groups.

DISCUSSION

Metacognition generally improved over time regardless of treatment. BBTi selectively improved ratings of performance relative to same age peers. Repeated objective testing alone may improve metacognition in older adults with insomnia. Better understanding of metacognition and how to improve it has important implications for older adults as metacognitive complaints have been associated with mild cognitive impairment.

Preliminary investigation of interactive associations of sleep and pain with cognition in sedentary middle-aged and older adults

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine independent and interactive associations between self-reported sleep (sleep efficiency and total sleep time [TST]) and pain with cognition in sedentary middle-aged and older adults.

METHODS

Seventy-five sedentary adults at least 50 years of age (Mage = 63.24, standard deviation = 8.87) completed 14 daily diaries measuring sleep and pain. Weekly average sleep efficiency, TST, and pain were computed. Participants also completed computerized cognitive tasks: Letter Series (reasoning), N-back (working memory), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (processing speed, attention), and Number Copy (processing speed). Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine independent and interactive (with pain) associations of sleep efficiency and TST with cognition, controlling for age, education, and sex.

RESULTS

Sleep efficiency and pain interacted in their associations with Letter Series performance and N-back difference scores (2-back minus 1-back). Specifically, higher sleep efficiency was associated with better reasoning and working memory in those with highest pain but not average or lowest pain. TST and pain also interacted in their associations with Letter Series performance. Specifically, longer TST associated with worse reasoning in those with lowest (not average or highest) pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary results show that in sedentary middle-aged and older adults, pain and sleep interact in their associations with executive function tasks. Higher sleep efficiency may be associated with better reasoning and working memory in those with highest pain. Lower TST may be associated with better reasoning in those with lowest pain. Studies evaluating temporal associations between sleep, pain, and cognition are needed.

Sleep Discrepancy in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Brief Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Insomnia in Older Adults

Background/Objective: Some older adults with insomnia experience sleep discrepancy, often characterized by greater subjective sleep difficulties and shorter subjective sleep duration than the estimates derived from objective measures. The present study examined whether a brief behavioral therapy for insomnia (BBTi) is efficacious for reducing sleep discrepancy in older adults. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of BBTi for community dwelling older adults with chronic insomnia (N = 62). Thirty-two participants received BBTi, delivered in four individual face-to-face sessions. Thirty received the self-monitoring control (SMC). They all completed daily sleep diaries and wore an actigraph from baseline to posttreatment, and for 2 weeks at 3-month follow-up. Sleep discrepancy was calculated by subtracting diary from actigraphy estimates of sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and total sleep time (TST). Mixed modeling was used to analyze data. SOL discrepancy decreased significantly in BBTi participants compared to SMC participants. The decreases in SOL discrepancy were explained by changes in diary-assessed SOL and subjective sleep quality but not changes in actigraphy-assessed SOL. Although WASO discrepancy and TST discrepancy decreased from baseline to posttreatment and follow-up, the Time by Group interaction effects were not significant indicating that BBTi participants did not experience greater reductions in WASO discrepancy and TST discrepancy than SMC participants. In conclusion, BBTi is efficacious for reducing SOL discrepancy in older adults with chronic insomnia.