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Cornelius T, Edmondson D, Abdalla M, Scott A, Sedano BF, Hiti D, Sullivan AM, Schwartz JE, Kronish IM, Shechter A. Prospective Bidirectional Relationship Between Sleep Duration and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms After Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome. Psychosom Med 2024; 86:283-288. [PMID: 38724037 PMCID: PMC11090408 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sleep disturbance is a "hallmark" symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Poor sleep (including short sleep) after combat-related trauma can also predict subsequent PTSD. Less is known about the association between sleep duration and PTSD symptoms when PTSD is induced by acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We examined the bidirectional relationship between sleep duration and PTSD symptoms over the year after hospital evaluation for ACS. METHODS Participants were enrolled in this observational study after emergency department evaluation for ACS. Sleep duration ("During the past month, how many hours of actual sleep did you get at night?") and cardiac event or hospitalization-induced PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist) were assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months after hospital discharge. Cross-lagged path analysis was used to model the effects of sleep duration and PTSD symptoms on each other. Covariates included age, sex, race/ethnicity, cardiac severity, baseline depression symptoms, and early acute stress disorder symptoms. RESULTS The sample included 1145 participants; 16% screened positive for probable PTSD (PTSD Checklist score ≥33). Mean sleep duration across time points was 6.1 hours. Higher PTSD symptoms predicted shorter sleep duration at the next time point (i.e., 1-6 and 6-12 months; B = -0.14 hours/10-point difference, SE = 0.03, p < .001). Shorter sleep duration was associated with higher PTSD symptoms at the next time point (B = -0.25 points/hour, SE = 0.12, p = .04). CONCLUSIONS Short sleep duration and PTSD symptoms are mutually reinforcing across the first year after ACS evaluation. Findings suggest that sleep, PTSD symptoms, and their relationship should be considered in the post-ACS period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talea Cornelius
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Donald Edmondson
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Marwah Abdalla
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Allie Scott
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Brandon Fernandez Sedano
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - David Hiti
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Alexandra M. Sullivan
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Joseph E. Schwartz
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Ian M. Kronish
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Ari Shechter
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Center of Excellence for Sleep & Circadian Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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Emrich M, Gnall KE, Garnsey CL, George JR, Park CL, Mazure CM, Hoff RA. Associations of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters and Pain Interference in Post-9/11 Veterans: Exploring Sleep Impairment and Physical Activity as Underlying Mechanisms. Int J Behav Med 2024:10.1007/s12529-024-10268-4. [PMID: 38438749 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-024-10268-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and pain are highly prevalent and comorbid, particularly in veterans, but mechanisms explaining their linkage remain unclear. The aims of this study were to determine: (1) whether sleep impairment and physical activity (PA) mediate relations between PTSD symptoms and pain interference (assessed both longitudinally and as residual change) and (2) the unique roles of each PTSD symptom cluster in those relationships. METHODS The present study is a secondary analysis of a longitudinal observational investigation of 673 post-9/11 veterans (45.8% women). Surveys were administered at baseline and 3-month and 6-month follow-ups. RESULTS PTSD symptoms were significantly associated with pain interference longitudinally and worsening pain interference over time. Sleep impairment, but not PA, significantly mediated the relationship between PTSD symptoms and subsequent pain interference. Hyperarousal symptoms were found to be the primary driver of the relationship between PTSD symptoms and pain interference and re-experiencing symptoms were associated with change in pain interference via sleep impairment. Men and women did not differ on any of the study variables with the exception of PA. CONCLUSION Findings underscore the importance of targeting sleep as a key modifiable health factor linking PTSD symptoms to pain interference in post-9/11 veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariel Emrich
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-1020, USA.
| | - Katherine E Gnall
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-1020, USA
| | - Camille L Garnsey
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-1020, USA
| | - Jamilah R George
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-1020, USA
| | - Crystal L Park
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-1020, USA
| | - Carolyn M Mazure
- Department of Psychiatry, Women's Health Research at Yale, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rani A Hoff
- Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC), VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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3
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Carmassi C, Cruz-Sanabria F, Gravina D, Violi M, Bonelli C, Dell’Oste V, Pedrinelli V, Frumento P, Faraguna U, Dell’Osso L. Exploratory Study on the Associations between Lifetime Post-Traumatic Stress Spectrum, Sleep, and Circadian Rhythm Parameters in Patients with Bipolar Disorder. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3566. [PMID: 36834262 PMCID: PMC9967425 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed at exploring whether lifetime post-traumatic stress spectrum symptoms are associated with chronotype in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Moreover, we explored whether the chronotype can moderate the potential associations between lifetime post-traumatic stress spectrum symptoms and rest-activity circadian and sleep-related parameters. A total of 74 BD patients were administered the Trauma and Loss Spectrum Self-Report (TALS-SR) lifetime version for lifetime post-traumatic stress spectrum symptoms, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for self-reported sleep quality, and the Reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) to discriminate evening chronotypes (ETs), neither chronotype (NT), and morning chronotype (MT). Actigraphic monitoring was used to objectively evaluate sleep and circadian parameters. Patients classified as ET reported significantly higher scores in the re-experiencing domain, as well as poorer sleep quality, lower sleep efficiency, increased wake after sleep onset, and delayed mid-sleep point compared with both NT and MT (p-value ≤ 0.05). Moreover, ET presented significantly higher scores in the TALS-SR maladaptive coping domain than NT and lower relative amplitude than MT (p-value ≤ 0.05). Moreover, higher TALS-SR total symptomatic domains scores were significantly correlated with poor self-reported sleep quality. Regression analyses showed that the PSQI score maintained the association with the TALS total symptomatic domains scores after adjusting for potentially confounding factors (age and sex) and that no interaction effect was observed between the chronotype and the PSQI. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that patients with BD classified as ET showed significantly higher lifetime post-traumatic stress spectrum symptoms and more disrupted sleep and circadian rhythmicity with respect to other chronotypes. Moreover, poorer self-reported sleep quality was significantly associated with lifetime post-traumatic stress spectrum symptoms. Further studies are required to confirm our results and to evaluate whether targeting sleep disturbances and eveningness can mitigate post-traumatic stress symptoms in BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francy Cruz-Sanabria
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Davide Gravina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Miriam Violi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valerio Dell’Oste
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Virginia Pedrinelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Frumento
- Department of Political Sciences, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ugo Faraguna
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell’Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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4
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Zhou A, McDaniel M, Hong X, Mattin M, Wang X, Shih CH. Emotion dysregulation mediates the association between acute sleep disturbance and later posttraumatic stress symptoms in trauma exposed adults. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2202056. [PMID: 37096440 PMCID: PMC10132222 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2202056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Sleep disturbance is common within days to weeks following a traumatic event and has been associated with emotion dysregulation, a strong risk factor for PTSD development. This study aims to examine if emotion dysregulation mediates the relationship between early post-trauma sleep disturbance and subsequent PTSD symptom severity.Methods: Adult participants (n = 125) completed questionnaires regarding sleep disturbance (via Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Addendum; PSQI-A) and emotion dysregulation (via Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale; DERS) within 2 weeks after exposure to traumatic events.Results: PTSD symptom severity was assessed with PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) at 3-month follow-up. There were strong correlations between PSQI-A, DERS, and PCL-5 (r ranges between .38 and .45). Mediation analysis further revealed significant indirect effects of overall emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between sleep disturbance at 2 weeks and PTSD symptom severity at 3 months (B = .372, SE = .136, 95% CI: [.128, .655]). Importantly, limited access to emotion regulation strategies emerged as the single, significant indirect effect in this relationship (B = .465, SE = .204, 95% CI [.127, .910]) while modelling DERS subscales as multiple parallel mediators.Conclusions: Early post-trauma sleep disturbance is associated with PTSD symptoms over months, and acute emotion dysregulation explains part of this association. Those with limited emotion regulation strategies are at particular risk of developing PTSD symptoms. Early interventions focusing on the appropriate strategies for emotion regulation may be crucial for trauma-exposed individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Mitchell McDaniel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Xie Hong
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Michael Mattin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Chia-Hao Shih
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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5
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Guo R, Vaughan DT, Rojo ALA, Huang YH. Sleep-mediated regulation of reward circuits: implications in substance use disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:61-78. [PMID: 35710601 PMCID: PMC9700806 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01356-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our modern society suffers from both pervasive sleep loss and substance abuse-what may be the indications for sleep on substance use disorders (SUDs), and could sleep contribute to the individual variations in SUDs? Decades of research in sleep as well as in motivated behaviors have laid the foundation for us to begin to answer these questions. This review is intended to critically summarize the circuit, cellular, and molecular mechanisms by which sleep influences reward function, and to reveal critical challenges for future studies. The review also suggests that improving sleep quality may serve as complementary therapeutics for treating SUDs, and that formulating sleep metrics may be useful for predicting individual susceptibility to SUDs and other reward-associated psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Allen Institute, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Dylan Thomas Vaughan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ana Lourdes Almeida Rojo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yanhua H Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
- The Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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6
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Scarpelli S, Alfonsi V, Gorgoni M, De Gennaro L. What about dreams? State of the art and open questions. J Sleep Res 2022; 31:e13609. [PMID: 35417930 PMCID: PMC9539486 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have tried to identify the neurobiological bases of dream experiences, nevertheless some questions are still at the centre of the debate. Here, we summarise the main open issues concerning the neuroscientific study of dreaming. After overcoming the rapid eye movement (REM) ‐ non‐REM (NREM) sleep dichotomy, investigations have focussed on the specific functional or structural brain features predicting dream experience. On the one hand, some results underlined that specific trait‐like factors are associated with higher dream recall frequency. On the other hand, the electrophysiological milieu preceding dream report upon awakening is a crucial state‐like factor influencing the subsequent recall. Furthermore, dreaming is strictly related to waking experiences. Based on the continuity hypothesis, some findings reveal that dreaming could be modulated through visual, olfactory, or somatosensory stimulations. Also, it should be considered that the indirect access to dreaming remains an intrinsic limitation. Recent findings have revealed a greater concordance between parasomnia‐like events and dream contents. This means that parasomnia episodes might be an expression of the ongoing mental sleep activity and could represent a viable direct access to dream experience. Finally, we provide a picture on nightmares and emphasise the possible role of oneiric activity in psychotherapy. Overall, further efforts in dream science are needed (a) to develop a uniform protocol to study dream experience, (b) to introduce and integrate advanced techniques to better understand whether dreaming can be manipulated, (c) to clarify the relationship between parasomnia events and dreaming, and (d) to determine the clinical valence of dreams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Scarpelli
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Gorgoni
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi De Gennaro
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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7
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Individuals with and without military-related PTSD differ in subjective sleepiness and alertness but not objective sleepiness. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 141:301-308. [PMID: 34304033 PMCID: PMC8762690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder-related sleep disturbances may increase daytime sleepiness and compromise performance in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder. We investigated nighttime sleep predictors of sleepiness in Veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder. Thirty-seven post-9/11 Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and 47 without posttraumatic stress disorder (Control) completed a 48-h lab stay. Nighttime quantitative EEG and sleep architecture parameters were collected with polysomnography. Data from daytime sleepiness batteries assessing subjective sleepiness (global vigor questionnaire), objective sleepiness (Multiple Sleep Latency Tests) and alertness (psychomotor vigilance task) were included in analyses. Independent samples t-tests and linear regressions were performed to identify group differences in sleepiness and nighttime sleep predictors of sleepiness in the overall sample and within each group. Participants with posttraumatic stress disorder had higher subjective sleepiness (t = 4.20; p < .001) and lower alertness (psychomotor vigilance task reaction time (t = -3.70; p < .001) and lapses: t = -2.13; p = .04) than the control group. Objective daytime sleepiness did not differ between groups (t = -0.79, p = .43). In the whole sample, higher rapid eye movement delta power predicted lower alertness quantified by psychomotor vigilance task reaction time (β = 0.372, p = .013) and lapses (β = 0.388, p = .013). More fragmented sleep predicted higher objective sleepiness in the posttraumatic stress disorder group (β = -.467, p = .005) but no other nighttime sleep measures influenced the relationship between group and sleepiness. Objective measures of sleep and sleepiness were not associated with the increased subjective sleepiness and reduced alertness of the posttraumatic stress disorder group.
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8
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Han YR, Yun JA, Jeong KS, Ahn YS, Choi KS. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and neurocognitive functioning in fire fighters: The mediating role of sleep problems and resilience. Compr Psychiatry 2021; 109:152250. [PMID: 34116367 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Firefighters are often exposed to terrible and dangerous scenes due to their duties, and thus have a high risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD). The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between PTSD symptoms, sleep problems, resilience and neurocognitive functioning of firefighters, and to identify the sequential mediating effects of sleep problems and resilience on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and neurocognitive functioning (especially psychomotor speed and processing speed). METHODS Data were collected from 325 firefighters in eight fire departments in four regions of Korea. Subjects performed neurocognitive function tests and completed the following questionnaires: Primary Care PTSD Screening, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-K and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-2. The correlation and dual mediation effects were analysed using SPSS 22.0 program and PROCESS macro 3.4 program. RESULTS PTSD symptoms, neurocognitive functioning, sleep problems and resilience were significantly correlated with each other. In the sequential mediation model, the relationship between PTSD and psychomotor speed/processing speed was sequentially mediated by sleep problems and resilience after adjusting for demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS The PTSD symptoms of firefighters were related to a sequential link between sleep problems, low resilience and decreased neurocognitive function. These findings could serve as a basis for more effective and integrated interventional strategies for facilitating better neurocognitive functioning in firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ri Han
- Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Ae Yun
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Eulji University School of Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Sook Jeong
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Soon Ahn
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong-Sook Choi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Eulji University School of Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Ponte L, Jerome L, Hamilton S, Mithoefer MC, Yazar‐Klosinski BB, Vermetten E, Feduccia AA. Sleep Quality Improvements After MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:851-863. [PMID: 34114250 PMCID: PMC8453707 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Sleep disturbances (SDs) are among the most distressing and commonly reported symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite increased attention on sleep in clinical PTSD research, SDs remain difficult to treat. In Phase 2 trials, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy has been shown to greatly improve PTSD symptoms. We hypothesized that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy would improve self-reported sleep quality (SQ) in individuals with PTSD and be associated with declining PTSD symptoms. Participants in four studies (n = 63) were randomized to receive 2-3 sessions of active MDMA (75-125 mg; n = 47) or placebo/control MDMA (0-40 mg, n = 16) during all-day psychotherapy sessions. The PSQI was used to assess change in SQ from baseline to the primary endpoint, 1-2 months after the blinded sessions. Additionally, PSQI scores were measured at treatment exit (TE) and 12-month follow-up. Symptoms of PTSD were measured using the CAPS-IV. At the primary endpoint, CAPS-IV total severity scores dropped more after active MDMA than after placebo/control (-34.0 vs. -12.4), p = .003. Participants in the active dose group showed more improvement in SQ compared to those in the control group (PSQI total score ΔM = -3.5 vs. 0.6), p = .003. Compared to baseline, SQ had improved at TE, p < .001, with further significant gains reported at 12-month follow-up (TE to 12-months ΔM = -1.0), p = .030. Data from these randomized controlled double-blind studies provide evidence for the beneficial effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in treating SDs in individuals with PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnae Ponte
- Department of PsychiatryYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Lisa Jerome
- MAPS Public Benefit CorporationSan JoseCaliforniaUSA
| | - Scott Hamilton
- Department of Neurology and Neurological SciencesStanford School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Michael C. Mithoefer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Eric Vermetten
- Department of PsychiatryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma CenterDiemenThe Netherlands
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10
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Sullivan GM, Gendreau RM, Gendreau J, Peters P, Peters A, Engels J, Daugherty BL, Vaughn B, Weathers FW, Lederman S. Randomized clinical trial of bedtime sublingual cyclobenzaprine (TNX-102 SL) in military-related PTSD and the role of sleep quality in treatment response. Psychiatry Res 2021; 301:113974. [PMID: 33979763 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Effective posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) pharmacotherapy is needed. This 12-week randomized multicenter trial evaluated efficacy and safety of TNX-102 SL, a bedtime sublingual formulation of cyclobenzaprine, in patients with military-related PTSD randomized to TNX-102 SL 2.8 mg or 5.6 mg, or placebo. Primary analysis comparing change from baseline in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale-5 score between 2.8 mg (n=90) and placebo (n=92) was not significant. Secondary analysis of 5.6 mg (n=49) vs placebo demonstrated a mean difference of -4.5 units, p=.05, or, accounting for missing data by multiple imputation, -5.0 units, p=.03. Clinician Global Impression - Improvement responder rate was greater in 5.6 mg than placebo (p=0.04), as was mean functional improvement in Sheehan Disability Scale social domain (p=.03) and trended in work domain (p=.05). Post-hoc analyses showed early sleep improvement predicted improvement in PTSD after 12 weeks for TNX-102 SL (p<.01), not for placebo. Most common administration site reaction in TNX-102 SL groups was oral hypoaesthesia (5.6 mg, 36%; 2.8 mg, 39%; placebo, 2%), while most common systemic adverse event was somnolence (5.6 mg, 16%; 2.8 mg, 12%; placebo, 6%). This provides preliminary evidence that TNX-102 SL 5.6 mg reduces PTSD symptoms, improves sleep and psychosocial function, and is well tolerated. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02277704.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jean Engels
- Engels Statistical Consulting, LLC, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | | | - Frank W Weathers
- National Center for PTSD, and Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
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11
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Yeh MSL, Poyares D, Coimbra BM, Mello AF, Tufik S, Mello MF. Subjective and objective sleep quality in young women with posttraumatic stress disorder following sexual assault: a prospective study. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1934788. [PMID: 34221253 PMCID: PMC8231348 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1934788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Most posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sleep disturbances reports have been conducted in male combat veteran populations, usually decades after the disorder's onset. Given the increase in the prevalence of violence against women and the fact that women are at greater risk for developing PTSD, it is critical to examine sleep abnormalities in this population. Objectives: To examine subjective and objective sleep quality in young women with PTSD following sexual assault compared with a control group at baseline and after one year of treatment. Methods: Seventy-four women with PTSD following sexual assault and 64 healthy controls with no history of sexual assault were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5), the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index. Subjects also underwent full in-lab polysomnography. PTSD participants received pharmacological and/or psychological therapy between baseline and one-year follow-up. Results: The PTSD group had significantly higher scores in the clinical and sleep measurements than the control group. Although the PTSD group reported poorer subjective sleep quality than healthy controls, there were few between-group differences in objective sleep. Analysis of the PTSD group at baseline and one-year follow-up showed that the PSQI global score was a significant predictor of PTSD improvement. Conclusions: Sleep quality is impaired in young women with PTSD and may impact long-term treatment responses. Better sleep quality is significantly associated with PTSD improvement, independent of depression and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary S L Yeh
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dalva Poyares
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Messina Coimbra
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrea Feijo Mello
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergio Tufik
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Feijo Mello
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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12
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Sleep parameters improvement in PTSD soldiers after symptoms remission. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8873. [PMID: 33893376 PMCID: PMC8065125 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88337-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is still unclear whether symptoms remission through EMDR therapy is associated with a beneficial effect on one of the PTSD symptoms, sleep disturbance. Our objective was therefore to study sleep parameters before and after symptom remission in soldiers with PTSD. The control group consisted of 20 healthy active duty military men who slept in a sleep lab with standard polysomnography (PSG) on two sessions separated by one month. The patient group consisted of 17 active duty military with PTSD who underwent EMDR therapy. PSG-recorded sleep was assessed 1 week before the EMDR therapy began and 1 week after PTSD remission. We found that the increased REMs density after remission was positively correlated with a greater decrease of symptoms. Also, the number of EMDR sessions required to reach remission was correlated with intra-sleep awakenings before treatment. These results confirm the improvement of some sleep parameters in PTSD after symptoms remission in a soldier's population and provide a possible predictor of treatment success. Further experiments will be required to establish whether this effect is specific to the EMDR therapy.
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Chopko BA, Palmieri PA, Adams RE. Trauma-Related Sleep Problems and Associated Health Outcomes in Police Officers: A Path Analysis. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2021; 36:NP2725-NP2748. [PMID: 29642766 DOI: 10.1177/0886260518767912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Police officers are frequently exposed to two different types of potentially traumatic events: one dealing with physical threats to self and the other involving the witnessing of harm to others. These different types of traumatic experiences are thought to produce various posttraumatic reactions. Furthermore, sleep problems are also reported as a hallmark of posttraumatic stress disorder. There is evidence, however, that sleep problems may mediate the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and health outcomes, especially physical health and depression. Previous research has shown this to be the case among officers from large urban agencies. The purpose of the present study was to test a model involving a pathway from trauma type and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms to physical health and depression that is mediated by sleep quality in officers (N = 193) using data from small- to mid-size police agencies. Results revealed that sleep problems served as a mediator between posttraumatic stress disorder hyperarousal and avoidance symptoms and health outcomes, that the trauma types are related to different posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and that complicated relationships exist between the study variables. In addition, the results indicated that approximately 25% of our sample displayed probable partial posttraumatic stress disorder or probable full posttraumatic stress disorder, causing substantial functional impairment. Suggestions for improving officer health and performance in the field are provided. Specifically, it appears that interventions designed to address posttraumatic stress disorder hyperarousal symptoms related to personal life threat and the posttraumatic stress disorder avoidance symptoms related to the witnessing of human suffering may maximize officer sleep quality and ultimately overall wellness. In particular, mindfulness-based interventions are well suited for addressing these symptom clusters.
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14
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Du C, Zan MCH, Cho MJ, Fenton JI, Hsiao PY, Hsiao R, Keaver L, Lai CC, Lee H, Ludy MJ, Shen W, Swee WCS, Thrivikraman J, Tseng KW, Tseng WC, Almotwa J, Feldpausch CE, Folk SYL, Gadd S, Wang L, Wang W, Zhang X, Tucker RM. Health Behaviors of Higher Education Students from 7 Countries: Poorer Sleep Quality during the COVID-19 Pandemic Predicts Higher Dietary Risk. Clocks Sleep 2021; 3:12-30. [PMID: 33467418 PMCID: PMC7838912 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep3010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Health behaviors of higher education students can be negatively influenced by stressful events. The global COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to characterize and compare health behaviors across multiple countries and to examine how these behaviors are shaped by the pandemic experience. Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in universities in China, Ireland, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands and the United States (USA) were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Eligible students filled out an online survey comprised of validated tools for assessing sleep quality and duration, dietary risk, alcohol misuse and physical activity between late April and the end of May 2020. Health behaviors were fairly consistent across countries, and all countries reported poor sleep quality. However, during the survey period, the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the health behaviors of students in European countries and the USA more negatively than Asian countries, which could be attributed to the differences in pandemic time course and caseloads. Students who experienced a decline in sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher dietary risk scores than students who did not experience a change in sleep quality (p = 0.001). Improved sleep quality was associated with less sitting time (p = 0.010). Addressing sleep issues among higher education students is a pressing concern, especially during stressful events. These results support the importance of making education and behavior-based sleep programming available for higher education students in order to benefit students' overall health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Du
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Megan Chong Hueh Zan
- Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (M.C.H.Z.); (W.C.S.S.)
| | - Min Jung Cho
- Global Public Health, Leiden University College, 2595 DG The Hague, The Netherlands; (M.J.C.); (J.T.)
| | - Jenifer I. Fenton
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Pao Ying Hsiao
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705, USA;
| | - Richard Hsiao
- Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705, USA;
| | - Laura Keaver
- Department of Health and Nutritional Science, Institute of Technology Sligo, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland;
| | - Chang-Chi Lai
- Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei 11153, Taiwan; (C.-C.L.); (K.-W.T.); (W.-C.T.)
| | - HeeSoon Lee
- Department of Human Services, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA;
| | - Mary-Jon Ludy
- Department of Public & Allied Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA; (M.-J.L.); (W.S.)
| | - Wan Shen
- Department of Public & Allied Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA; (M.-J.L.); (W.S.)
| | - Winnie Chee Siew Swee
- Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (M.C.H.Z.); (W.C.S.S.)
| | - Jyothi Thrivikraman
- Global Public Health, Leiden University College, 2595 DG The Hague, The Netherlands; (M.J.C.); (J.T.)
| | - Kuo-Wei Tseng
- Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei 11153, Taiwan; (C.-C.L.); (K.-W.T.); (W.-C.T.)
| | - Wei-Chin Tseng
- Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei 11153, Taiwan; (C.-C.L.); (K.-W.T.); (W.-C.T.)
| | - Juman Almotwa
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Clare E. Feldpausch
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Sara Yi Ling Folk
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Suzannah Gadd
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Linyutong Wang
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Wenyan Wang
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
| | - Robin M. Tucker
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.D.); (J.I.F.); (J.A.); (C.E.F.); (S.Y.L.F.); (S.G.); (L.W.); (W.W.); (X.Z.)
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15
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Kaczkurkin AN, Tyler J, Turk-Karan E, Belli G, Asnaani A. The Association between Insomnia and Anxiety Symptoms in a Naturalistic Anxiety Treatment Setting. Behav Sleep Med 2021; 19:110-125. [PMID: 31955594 PMCID: PMC7369215 DOI: 10.1080/15402002.2020.1714624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective/Background: Few studies have examined the relationship between insomnia and anxiety treatment outcomes in naturalistic settings. Furthermore, prior studies typically examine insomnia within a single anxiety diagnosis without accounting for the high overlap between disorders. Here we investigate the association between insomnia and multiple anxiety disorders over a course of cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) in a naturalistic treatment setting. Participants: Insomnia was assessed in 326 patients seeking treatment at a clinic specializing in CBT for anxiety. Methods: Multilevel modeling was used to investigate whether insomnia moderated reductions in anxiety symptoms. A cross-lagged analysis tested for bidirectional effects between insomnia and anxiety. Multiple regression was used to investigate the relationship between insomnia and anxiety while controlling for the other anxiety disorders and depression. Results: While there was a significant reduction in insomnia during treatment in all anxiety disorders, the majority of the most severe patients remained in the clinical range at post-treatment. Baseline insomnia did not significantly moderate anxiety outcomes, suggesting that patients with high or low levels of insomnia will do equally well in CBT for anxiety. The bidirectional effect between insomnia and anxiety did not reach significance. Additionally, posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder were associated with the greatest endorsement of insomnia, after controlling for the overlap between disorders. Conclusions: Sleep problems may persist after anxiety treatment, suggesting that CBT for insomnia may be warranted during or after a course of CBT for anxiety. Importantly, baseline insomnia does not impede anxiety reduction during CBT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeremy Tyler
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, Philadelphia, PA, USA 19104
| | - Elizabeth Turk-Karan
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, Philadelphia, PA, USA 19104
| | - Gina Belli
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, Philadelphia, PA, USA 19104
| | - Anu Asnaani
- University of Utah, Department of Psychology, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
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16
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Chen XY, Shi X, Li Y, Zhou Y, Chen H, Wang T, Fan F. Psychiatric comorbidity predicts sleep disturbances among adolescent earthquake survivors: a 10-year cohort study. Sleep Med 2020; 78:94-100. [PMID: 33418432 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence of sleep disturbances 10 years after Wenchuan earthquake, and to explore whether comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms could predict sleep disturbances and whether such effects were modified by gender. METHODS Participants were 1357 adolescents in the Wenchuan Earthquake Adolescent Health Cohort Study (WEAHC). 799 of the participants completed the followed-up survey 10 years after the earthquake. At 12-month post-earthquake (T12m), a battery of standardized measures were used to assess individual earthquake exposure, sleep disturbances (insomnia symptoms and poor sleep quality), PTSD, and depressive symptoms. At 10 years post-earthquake (T10y), those survivors reported their sleep disturbances via an online survey. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of insomnia (14.3%) and of poor sleep quality (19.8%) at T10y decreased when compared with it at T12m. After controlling for covariates, it is revealed that depression-only and comorbidity groups at T12m predicted sleep disturbances at T10y among the whole sample and males. As for females, who have depression-only and comorbidity were more likely to develop insomnia symptoms but not poor sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS Sleep disturbances remained highly prevalent among survivors even 10 years after the earthquake. Depression-only and comorbidity groups were related to higher risks of sleep disturbances, especially for males. Assessments and interventions targeting both depressive symptoms and comorbid PTSD to reduce sleep disturbances after a deadly disaster are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Xuliang Shi
- College of Education, Hebei University, Hebei, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Ya Zhou
- Department of Psychology, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Huilin Chen
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Tong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Fang Fan
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China.
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17
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Abstract
Abstract. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by intrusive re-experiencing of emotional memories of a traumatic event. Such memories are formed after exposure to trauma in the context of a cascading stress response including high levels of emotional arousal and stress hormone release. Sleep could be a key modulator of early memory formation and re-consolidation processes. Initial studies have investigated this association in this early time period, that is, hours and days after trauma exposure, and its role in modulating trauma memories and PTSD. The time is thus ripe to integrate findings from these studies. The current review consolidated evidence from five experimental and seven naturalistic studies on the association between trauma, sleep, and the development of intrusive emotional memories and PTSD, respectively. Together, the studies point to a potential protective role of sleep after trauma for the development of intrusive memories and PTSD. Findings regarding key sleep architecture features are more mixed and require additional investigation. The findings are important for prevention and intervention science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Azza
- Division of Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Sleep & Health Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ines Wilhelm
- Division of Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Birgit Kleim
- Division of Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Sleep & Health Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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18
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Higgs E, Drolet CE, Belicki K. The impact of childhood sexual abuse on sleep in adulthood. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2020; 107:104567. [PMID: 32521349 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been documented that people reporting a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) tend to report poor sleep quality as adults. However, there are many limitations to this research. OBJECTIVE This study examines the relation of CSA to a range of sleep symptoms, addressing some of the limitations of prior research. Moreover, we examined several mechanisms through which CSA might be related to disturbed sleep. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Participants were a community sample of 234 U.S. residents, 124 who self-identified as women, 108 as men, 1 as genderqueer, and 1 who preferred not to say. Ages ranged from 21 to 71 (M = 35.19, SD = 10.42). METHODS Participlants completed online measures of trauma, 21 different aspects of disturbed sleep, health behaviour, and sleep hygiene. RESULTS Many of the variables did not meet the assumptions for parametric analyses; therefore, four groups were compared by means of Kruskal-Wallis omnibus tests: CSA, physical abuse (CPA), both CSA and CPA, no childhood trauma or abuse. There were no differences between those reporting CSA versus CPA while all abuse groups differed from those reporting no history of adverse experiences. Indirect effects were assessed using the PROCESS v3.5 Model 4 with 10,000 bootstrapped samples. Recent trauma, engaging in risky behaviours, and poor sleep hygiene all partially accounted for many of the relations between CSA and sleep complaints. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that CSA is a general, non-specific risk factor for sleep disorders; however, this risk might be partially mitigated through improved sleep hygiene and risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Higgs
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, Canada
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19
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Gibson CJ, Richards A, Villanueva C, Barrientos M, Neylan TC, Inslicht SS. Subjective Sleep Related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Trauma-Exposed Men and Women. Behav Sleep Med 2019; 17:492-501. [PMID: 29172723 DOI: 10.1080/15402002.2017.1409223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Objective/Background: Sleep difficulty is both a common symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a risk factor for the development and maintenance of PTSD symptomatology. Gender differences in sleep following trauma exposure have been posited to contribute to the increased risk for the development of PTSD among women, but the persistence and long-term contributions of these potential differences to the maintenance and severity of PTSD symptoms is unclear. Participants: Men and women reporting a history of trauma exposure (n = 112, 63% female) participated in this study. Methods: Subjective sleep complaints and PTSD symptom severity were assessed using well-validated measures (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PTSD Symptom Checklist). Multivariable regression models (full sample and gender-stratified) were used to predict PTSD symptom severity from global, subscale, and individual item sleep parameters, adjusted for gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, and body mass index. Results: In the full sample, traditional measures of sleep quality and sleep disturbance were associated with PTSD symptom severity. Difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, and sleep disturbance from a variety of sources were related to higher PTSD symptom severity in men, while self-reported sleep disturbance related to nightmares and emotional regulation were associated with PTSD symptom severity among women. Conclusions: These findings add to the limited literature on gender-specific risk factors related to sleep and PTSD, and may inform intervention development and implementation related to PTSD severity among vulnerable adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn J Gibson
- a Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System , San Francisco , CA , USA.,b Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco School of Medicine , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Anne Richards
- a Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System , San Francisco , CA , USA.,b Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco School of Medicine , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Cynthia Villanueva
- a Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Maureen Barrientos
- a Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- a Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System , San Francisco , CA , USA.,b Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco School of Medicine , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Sabra S Inslicht
- a Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System , San Francisco , CA , USA.,b Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco School of Medicine , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
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20
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Dietch JR, Ruggero CJ, Schuler K, Taylor DJ, Luft BJ, Kotov R. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and sleep in the daily lives of World Trade Center responders. J Occup Health Psychol 2019; 24:689-702. [PMID: 31204820 DOI: 10.1037/ocp0000158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sleep disturbances are common in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and can have major impacts on workplace performance and functioning. Although effects between PTSD and sleep broadly have been documented, little work has tested their day-to-day temporal relationship particularly in those exposed to occupational trauma. The present study examined daily, bidirectional associations between PTSD symptoms and self-reported sleep duration and quality in World Trade Center (WTC) responders oversampled for PTSD. WTC responders (N = 202; 19.3% with current PTSD diagnosis) were recruited from the Long Island site of the WTC health program. Participants were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV; SCID; First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 1997) and completed daily assessments of PTSD symptoms, sleep duration and sleep quality for 7 days. PTSD symptoms on a given day were prospectively associated with shorter sleep duration (β = -.13) and worse sleep quality (β = -.18) later that night. Reverse effects were also significant but smaller, with reduced sleep duration (not quality) predicting increased PTSD the next day (β = -.04). Effects of PTSD on sleep duration and quality were driven by numbing symptoms, whereas effects of sleep duration on PTSD were largely based on intrusion symptoms. PTSD symptoms and sleep have bidirectional associations that occur on a daily basis, representing potential targets to disrupt maintenance of each. Improving PTSD numbing symptoms may improve sleep, and increasing sleep duration may improve intrusion symptoms in individuals with exposure to work-related traumatic events. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Roman Kotov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stony Brook University
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21
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Scarpelli S, Bartolacci C, D'Atri A, Gorgoni M, De Gennaro L. The Functional Role of Dreaming in Emotional Processes. Front Psychol 2019; 10:459. [PMID: 30930809 PMCID: PMC6428732 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Dream experience (DE) represents a fascinating condition linked to emotional processes and the human inner world. Although the overlap between REM sleep and dreaming has been overcome, several studies point out that emotional and perceptually vivid contents are more frequent when reported upon awakenings from this sleep stage. Actually, it is well-known that REM sleep plays a pivotal role in the processing of salient and emotional waking-life experiences, strongly contributing to the emotional memory consolidation. In this vein, we highlighted that, to some extent, neuroimaging studies showed that the processes that regulate dreaming and emotional salience in sleep mentation share similar neural substrates of those controlling emotions during wakefulness. Furthermore, the research on EEG correlates of the presence/absence of DE and the results on EEG pattern related to the incorporated memories converged to assign a crucial role of REM theta oscillations in emotional re-processing. In particular, the theta activity is involved in memory processes during REM sleep as well as during the waking state, in line with the continuity hypothesis. Also, the gamma activity seems to be related to emotional processes and dream recall as well as to lucid dreams. Interestingly, similar EEG correlates of DE have been found in clinical samples when nightmares or dreams occur. Research on clinical samples revealed that promoting the rehearsal of frightening contents aimed to change them is a promising method to treat nightmares, and that lucid dreams are associated with an attenuation of nightmares. In this view, DE can defuse emotional traumatic memories when the emotional regulation and the fear extinction mechanisms are compromised by traumatic and frightening events. Finally, dreams could represent a sort of simulation of reality, providing the possibility to create a new scenario with emotional mastery elements to cope with dysphoric items included in nightmares. In addition, it could be hypothesized that the insertion of bizarre items besides traumatic memories might be functional to "impoverish" the negative charge of the experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Luigi De Gennaro
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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22
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Modarres MH, Opel RA, Weymann KB, Lim MM. Strong correlation of novel sleep electroencephalography coherence markers with diagnosis and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4247. [PMID: 30862872 PMCID: PMC6414519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38102-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective biomarkers of the presence and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are elusive, yet badly needed. Electroencephalographic (EEG) coherence represents a promising approach to identifying and understanding brain biomarker activity in PTSD. Overnight polysomnography data containing EEG across sleep and wake states was collected in n = 76 Veterans with and without PTSD from a single site under IRB approval. Brain coherence markers (BCM) were calculated from EEG signals using a novel approach to produce one index for PTSD diagnosis (PTSDdx), and another index for PTSD severity (PTSDsev). PTSDdx showed strong sensitivity to the presence of PTSD in the awake state, during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stage N2 sleep, and in a hybrid BCM incorporating both awake and NREM sleep states. PTSDsev showed a strong correlation with PTSD symptom severity (using the PTSD Checklist 5, or PCL5 survey) in the awake state, during N2 sleep, and in a hybrid BCM incorporating both awake and NREM sleep states. Thus, sleep EEG-based brain coherence markers can be utilized as an objective means for determining the presence and severity of PTSD. This portable, inexpensive, and non-invasive tool holds promise for better understanding the physiological mechanisms underlying PTSD and for tracking objective responses to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo H Modarres
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ryan A Opel
- Sleep Disorders Clinic, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Kristianna B Weymann
- Sleep Disorders Clinic, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA.,School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Miranda M Lim
- Sleep Disorders Clinic, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA. .,Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA. .,Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
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Schäfer L, Schellong J, Hähner A, Weidner K, Hüttenbrink KB, Trautmann S, Hummel T, Croy I. Nocturnal Olfactory Stimulation for Improvement of Sleep Quality in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Exploratory Intervention Trial. J Trauma Stress 2019; 32:130-140. [PMID: 30681196 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by sleep impairment and nightmares. As pleasant odors presented during sleep affect the emotional tone of dreams without inducing arousal, we investigated whether sleep patterns in PTSD can be improved via nocturnal olfactory stimulation. Participants were 40 inpatients with PTSD (n = 35 women; age range: 20-59 years) who completed a randomized, patient-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Baseline measurement for 5 consecutive nights was followed by a 5-night experimental intervention or placebo trial. During the intervention, patients received nocturnal stimulation with a pleasant odor (odor condition) or clean air (placebo condition) via an olfactometer that delivered inspiration-triggered stimuli in a nasal tube or via an odorized nasal clip. After each night, the patients completed standardized questionnaires that assessed sleep parameters and dream content. Each night, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and wakefulness after sleep onset were monitored with a motion biosensor. Baseline assessment revealed that PTSD severity was associated with poorer sleep outcomes. An interaction effect showed that nocturnal odorization affected dream intensity. Post hoc tests revealed an improvement in the group that used the nasal clip as compared to baseline, d = 0.68. No negative effects were observed after odorization with the nasal clip. Considering the limited sample size, the study indicates that nocturnal olfactory stimulation may serve as a low-cost concomitant intervention to improve sleep quality in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Schäfer
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Schellong
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Antje Hähner
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Trautmann
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
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Demirci E. Non suicidal self-injury, emotional eating and insomnia after child sexual abuse: Are those symptoms related to emotion regulation? J Forensic Leg Med 2018; 53:17-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Tahmasian M, Jamalabadi H, Abedini M, Ghadami MR, Sepehry AA, Knight DC, Khazaie H. Differentiation chronic post traumatic stress disorder patients from healthy subjects using objective and subjective sleep-related parameters. Neurosci Lett 2017; 650:174-179. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Symptom Presentation and Prescription of Sleep Medications for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. J Nerv Ment Dis 2017; 205:112-118. [PMID: 28106623 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000000657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study tested whether sleep medications prescribed to veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being targeted to patients who report more severe insomnia or nightmares. Secondary analysis of survey and pharmacy data was conducted in samples of veterans from two periods: from 2006 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2013. Logistic regression tested associations between self-reported insomnia and nightmare severity, and being prescribed trazodone, prazosin, zolpidem, and benzodiazepines, controlling for PTSD severity and other covariates. In both samples, insomnia severity independently predicted trazodone receipt, and nightmare severity independently predicted prazosin receipt. In the later study, insomnia severity predicted receipt of zolpidem. Veterans in the later sample were more likely to receive trazodone, prazosin, and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, and less likely to receive benzodiazepines than those in the earlier sample. Further research is needed to evaluate and optimize pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for sleep problems among veterans with PTSD.
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An examination of sleep quality in veterans with a dual diagnosis of PTSD and severe mental illness. Psychiatry Res 2017; 247:15-20. [PMID: 27863313 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.07.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Poor sleep quality is one of the most frequently reported symptoms by veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and by veterans with severe mental illness (SMI; i.e., schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, major depression with or without psychotic features). However, little is known about the compounding effects of co-occurring PTSD/SMI on sleep quality in this population. Given the high rates of comorbidity and poor functional outcomes associated with sleep dysfunction, there is a need to better understand patterns of poor sleep quality in this population. The present study provides a description of sleep quality in veterans with a dual diagnosis of PTSD/SMI relative to veterans with PTSD only. Results indicated that, despite similar reports of PTSD symptom severity between the groups, veterans with PTSD/SMI reported higher levels of poor sleep quality than veterans only diagnosed with PTSD. Specifically, veterans with PTSD/SMI reported significantly greater difficulties with sleep onset and overall more sleep disturbance than their non-SMI counterparts. Implications of the findings are discussed within the context of an existing model of insomnia and suggest that more comprehensive sleep assessment and the provision of targeted sleep interventions may be helpful for those with a dual diagnosis of PTSD/SMI.
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Baglioni C, Nanovska S, Regen W, Spiegelhalder K, Feige B, Nissen C, Reynolds CF, Riemann D. Sleep and mental disorders: A meta-analysis of polysomnographic research. Psychol Bull 2016; 142:969-990. [PMID: 27416139 PMCID: PMC5110386 DOI: 10.1037/bul0000053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 530] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Investigating sleep in mental disorders has the potential to reveal both disorder-specific and transdiagnostic psychophysiological mechanisms. This meta-analysis aimed at determining the polysomnographic (PSG) characteristics of several mental disorders. Relevant studies were searched through standard strategies. Controlled PSG studies evaluating sleep in affective, anxiety, eating, pervasive developmental, borderline and antisocial personality disorders, attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia were included. PSG variables of sleep continuity, depth, and architecture, as well as rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep were considered. Calculations were performed with the "Comprehensive Meta-Analysis" and "R" software. Using random effects modeling, for each disorder and each variable, a separate meta-analysis was conducted if at least 3 studies were available for calculation of effect sizes as standardized means (Hedges' g). Sources of variability, that is, sex, age, and mental disorders comorbidity, were evaluated in subgroup analyses. Sleep alterations were evidenced in all disorders, with the exception of ADHD and seasonal affective disorders. Sleep continuity problems were observed in most mental disorders. Sleep depth and REM pressure alterations were associated with affective, anxiety, autism and schizophrenia disorders. Comorbidity was associated with enhanced REM sleep pressure and more inhibition of sleep depth. No sleep parameter was exclusively altered in 1 condition; however, no 2 conditions shared the same PSG profile. Sleep continuity disturbances imply a transdiagnostic imbalance in the arousal system likely representing a basic dimension of mental health. Sleep depth and REM variables might play a key role in psychiatric comorbidity processes. Constellations of sleep alterations may define distinct disorders better than alterations in 1 single variable. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Baglioni
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Center for Mental Disorders, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Germany
| | - Svetoslava Nanovska
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Center for Mental Disorders, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Germany
| | - Wolfram Regen
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Center for Mental Disorders, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Germany
| | - Kai Spiegelhalder
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Center for Mental Disorders, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Germany
| | - Bernd Feige
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Center for Mental Disorders, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Germany
| | - Christoph Nissen
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Center for Mental Disorders, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Germany
| | | | - Dieter Riemann
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Center for Mental Disorders, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Germany
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Gregory AM, Sadeh A. Annual Research Review: Sleep problems in childhood psychiatric disorders--a review of the latest science. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2016; 57:296-317. [PMID: 26412255 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hippocrates flagged the value of sleep for good health. Nonetheless, historically, researchers with an interest in developmental psychopathology have largely ignored a possible role for atypical sleep. Recently, however, there has been a surge of interest in this area, perhaps reflecting increased evidence that disturbed or insufficient sleep can result in poor functioning in numerous domains. This review outlines what is known about sleep in the psychiatric diagnoses most relevant to children and for which associations with sleep are beginning to be understood. While based on a comprehensive survey of the literature, the focus of the current review is on the latest science (largely from 2010). There is a description of both concurrent and longitudinal links as well as possible mechanisms underlying associations. Preliminary treatment research is also considered which suggests that treating sleep difficulties may result in improvements in behavioural areas beyond sleep quality. FINDINGS To maximise progress in this field, there now needs to be: (a) greater attention to the assessment of sleep in children; (b) sleep research on a wider range of psychiatric disorders; (c) a greater focus on and examination of mechanisms underlying associations; (d) a clearer consideration of developmental questions and (e) large-scale well-designed treatment studies. CONCLUSIONS While sleep problems may sometimes be missed by parents and healthcare providers; hence constituting a hidden risk for other psychopathologies - knowing about these difficulties creates unique opportunities. The current excitement in this field from experts in diverse areas including developmental psychology, clinical psychology, genetics and neuropsychology should make these opportunities a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice M Gregory
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, UK
| | - Avi Sadeh
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Cox RC, Olatunji BO. A systematic review of sleep disturbance in anxiety and related disorders. J Anxiety Disord 2016; 37:104-29. [PMID: 26745517 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent research suggests that sleep disturbance may be a transdiagnostic process, and there is increasing interest in examining how sleep disturbance may contribute to anxiety and related disorders. The current review summarizes and synthesizes the extant research assessing sleep in anxiety and related disorders. The findings suggest that sleep disturbance exacerbates symptom severity in the majority of anxiety and related disorders. However, the nature of sleep disturbance often varies as a function of objective versus subjective assessment. Although sleep disturbance is a correlate of most anxiety and related disorders, a causal role for sleep disturbance is less clear. A model of potential mechanisms by which sleep disturbance may confer risk for the development of anxiety and related disorders is discussed. Future research integrating findings from basic sleep research with current knowledge of anxiety and related disorders may facilitate the development of novel treatments for comorbid sleep disturbance and clinical anxiety.
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Cecil CAM, Viding E, McCrory EJ, Gregory AM. Distinct Mechanisms Underlie Associations Between Forms of Childhood Maltreatment and Disruptive Nocturnal Behaviors. Dev Neuropsychol 2015; 40:181-99. [DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2014.983636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Pace-Schott EF, Germain A, Milad MR. Sleep and REM sleep disturbance in the pathophysiology of PTSD: the role of extinction memory. BIOLOGY OF MOOD & ANXIETY DISORDERS 2015; 5:3. [PMID: 26034578 PMCID: PMC4450835 DOI: 10.1186/s13587-015-0018-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is accompanied by disturbed sleep and an impaired ability to learn and remember extinction of conditioned fear. Following a traumatic event, the full spectrum of PTSD symptoms typically requires several months to develop. During this time, sleep disturbances such as insomnia, nightmares, and fragmented rapid eye movement sleep predict later development of PTSD symptoms. Only a minority of individuals exposed to trauma go on to develop PTSD. We hypothesize that sleep disturbance resulting from an acute trauma, or predating the traumatic experience, may contribute to the etiology of PTSD. Because symptoms can worsen over time, we suggest that continued sleep disturbances can also maintain and exacerbate PTSD. Sleep disturbance may result in failure of extinction memory to persist and generalize, and we suggest that this constitutes one, non-exclusive mechanism by which poor sleep contributes to the development and perpetuation of PTSD. Also reviewed are neuroendocrine systems that show abnormalities in PTSD, and in which stress responses and sleep disturbance potentially produce synergistic effects that interfere with extinction learning and memory. Preliminary evidence that insomnia alone can disrupt sleep-dependent emotional processes including consolidation of extinction memory is also discussed. We suggest that optimizing sleep quality following trauma, and even strategically timing sleep to strengthen extinction memories therapeutically instantiated during exposure therapy, may allow sleep itself to be recruited in the treatment of PTSD and other trauma and stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward F. Pace-Schott
- />Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital—East, CNY 149 13th Street Room 2624, Charlestown, MA 02129 USA
| | - Anne Germain
- />Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Mohammed R. Milad
- />Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital—East, CNY 149 13th Street Room 2624, Charlestown, MA 02129 USA
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Trauma-induced insomnia: A novel model for trauma and sleep research. Sleep Med Rev 2015; 25:74-83. [PMID: 26140870 DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic events have been increasingly recognized as important precipitants of clinically significant insomnia. Trauma is an extreme form of stressful life event that generates a sustained neurobiological response triggering the onset and maintenance of insomnia. Trauma may disrupt the normal sleep-wake regulatory mechanism by sensitizing the central nervous system's arousal centers, leading to pronounced central and physiological hyperarousal. The central concept of hyperarousal has been linked to both the pathogenesis of insomnia and to the neurobiological changes in the aftermath of traumatic events, and may be a neurobiological commonality underlying trauma and insomnia. This paper presents evidence for trauma-induced insomnia and advances a model of it as an important nosological and neurobiological entity. Trauma-induced insomnia may occur in the absence of full-blown posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and may also be a precursor of subsequent PTSD development. Converging lines of evidence from the neuroscience of insomnia with the neurobiology and psychophysiology of stress, fear, trauma and PTSD will be integrated to advance understanding of the condition. Preclinical and clinical stress and fear paradigms have informed the neurobiological pathways mediating the production of insomnia by trauma. Elucidating the underlying neurobiological substrates can establish novel biological markers to identify persons at risk for the condition, and help optimize treatment of the trauma-insomnia interface. Early identification and treatment of trauma-induced insomnia may prevent the development of PTSD, as well as other important sequelae such as depression, substance dependence, and other medical conditions.
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Nardo D, Högberg G, Jonsson C, Jacobsson H, Hällström T, Pagani M. Neurobiology of Sleep Disturbances in PTSD Patients and Traumatized Controls: MRI and SPECT Findings. Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:134. [PMID: 26441695 PMCID: PMC4585117 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sleep disturbances such as insomnia and nightmares are core components of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet their neurobiological relationship is still largely unknown. We investigated brain alterations related to sleep disturbances in PTSD patients and controls by using both structural and functional neuroimaging techniques. METHOD Thirty-nine subjects either developing (n = 21) or not developing (n = 18) PTSD underwent magnetic resonance imaging and a symptom-provocation protocol followed by the injection of 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime. Subjects were also tested with diagnostic and self-rating scales on the basis of which a Sleep Disturbances Score (SDS; i.e., amount of insomnia/nightmares) was computed. RESULTS Correlations between SDS and gray matter volume (GMV)/regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were computed in the whole sample and separately in the PTSD and control groups. In the whole sample, higher sleep disturbances were associated with significantly reduced GMV in amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate, and insula; increased rCBF in midbrain, precuneus, and insula; and decreased rCBF in anterior cingulate. This pattern was substantially confirmed in the PTSD group, but not in controls. CONCLUSION Sleep disturbances are associated with GMV loss in anterior limbic/paralimbic, PTSD-sensitive structures and with functional alterations in regions implicated in rapid eye movement-sleep control, supporting the existence of a link between PTSD and sleep disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Nardo
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation , Rome , Italy
| | - Göran Högberg
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Cathrine Jonsson
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Hans Jacobsson
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Tore Hällström
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden ; Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - Marco Pagani
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden ; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council , Rome , Italy
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Zhou X, Wu X, An Y, Fu F. Longitudinal relationships between posttraumatic stress symptoms and sleep problems in adolescent survivors following the Wenchuan earthquake in China. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104470. [PMID: 25105288 PMCID: PMC4126730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine the longitudinal relationships between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and sleep problems among adolescent survivors in the Wenchuan earthquake, China. Methods 350 adolescent survivors were randomly selected from several primary and secondary schools in the counties of Wenchuan and Maoxian, the two areas most severely affected by the Wenchuan earthquake. Participants completed Revised Child PTSD Symptom Scale and Sleep Problems Subscale of Self-generated Child Behavior Problems Questionnaire at one year (T1), one-and-a-half years (T2), two years (T3) after the earthquake, respectively. Results There was a bidirectional relationship between intrusive symptom clusters of PTSD and sleep problems from T1 to T2, and this relationship became non-significant from T2 to T3. There was a one-way predictive relationship of avoidance symptom clusters of PTSD onto sleep problems from T1 to T3. The hyperarousal symptom clusters of PTSD had effects on sleep problems from T1 to T2 but not from T2 to T3, while sleep problems have no significant effect on hyperarousal symptom clusters of PTSD from T1 to T3. In addition, the relationships between three symptom clusters of PTSD and sleep problems weakened with time change. Conclusions From 1 year to 1.5 years after the earthquake, all the three symptom clusters of PTSD could be important predictive factors for the development and maintenance of sleep problems, while sleep problems could only be risk factors for the intrusive symptom clusters of PTSD. From 1.5 years to 2 years, only the avoidance symptom clusters of PTSD were risk factors for sleep problems, and sleep problems had no significant effects on any symptom clusters of PTSD. Overall, the relationship between PTSD and sleep problems weakened with time change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhou
- School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinchun Wu
- School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
| | - Yuanyuan An
- School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Fu
- School of Social Development and Public Policy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Talbot LS, Neylan TC, Metzler TJ, Cohen BE. The mediating effect of sleep quality on the relationship between PTSD and physical activity. J Clin Sleep Med 2014; 10:795-801. [PMID: 25024659 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.3878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Physical inactivity is linked to health outcomes such as obesity, diabetes, and psychiatric disorders. Sleep disturbance has been linked to the same adverse outcomes. We examine the influence of sleep on physical activity as a novel approach to understand these relationships. Specifically, our objective was to determine whether low sleep quality predicts low physical activity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder associated with sleep disturbance, physical inactivity, and poor health outcomes. METHODS We used data from the Mind Your Heart Study, a prospective cohort study of 736 outpatients recruited from two Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. We assessed PTSD with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, sleep quality using an item from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and physical activity by self-report at baseline and again one year later. Hierarchical multiple regression models and structural equation modeling were used to examine the relationships among PTSD, sleep, and physical activity. RESULTS Sleep quality but not PTSD status was prospectively associated with lower physical activity in a model adjusting for age, sex, apnea probability, depression, body mass index, and baseline physical activity (β = 0.129, SE = 0.072, p < 0.01). Structural equation modeling indicated that the results were consistent with sleep quality statistically mediating the relationship between PTSD status at baseline and physical activity one year later. CONCLUSIONS Worse sleep quality predicts lower physical activity in PTSD, providing possible evidence for a behavioral pathway from disturbed sleep to poor physical health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Talbot
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Beth E Cohen
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA ; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
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Shaffer JA, Kronish IM, Burg M, Clemow L, Edmondson D. Association of acute coronary syndrome-induced posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms with self-reported sleep. Ann Behav Med 2014; 46:349-57. [PMID: 23720185 DOI: 10.1007/s12160-013-9512-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are associated with recurrent ACS events and mortality. Poor sleep may be a mechanism, but the association between PTSD and sleep after ACS is unknown. PURPOSE This study aims to estimate the association between ACS-induced PTSD symptoms and self-reported sleep. METHODS ACS-induced PTSD symptoms were assessed 1-month post-ACS in 188 adults using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised. Sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine whether PTSD symptoms were associated with self-reported sleep, independent of sociodemographic and clinical covariates. RESULTS In adjusted models, ACS-induced PTSD symptoms were associated with worse overall sleep (β = 0.22, p = 0.003) and greater impairment in six of seven components of sleep (all p values <0.05). CONCLUSIONS ACS-induced PTSD symptoms may be associated with poor sleep, which may explain why PTSD confers increased cardiovascular risk after ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Shaffer
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, PH9-318, New York, NY, 10032, USA,
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Vandrey R, Babson KA, Herrmann ES, Bonn-Miller MO. Interactions between disordered sleep, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. Int Rev Psychiatry 2014; 26:237-47. [PMID: 24892898 PMCID: PMC4052373 DOI: 10.3109/09540261.2014.901300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Disordered sleep is associated with a number of adverse health consequences and is an integral component of many psychiatric disorders. Rates of substance use disorders (SUDs) are markedly higher among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and this relationship may be partly mediated by disturbed sleep. Sleep disturbances (e.g. insomnia, daytime sleepiness, vivid nightmares) are hallmark features of PTSD and there is evidence that individuals with PTSD engage in substance use as a means of coping with these symptoms. However, prolonged substance use can lead to more severe sleep disturbances due to the development of tolerance and withdrawal. Behavioural or pharmacological treatment of disordered sleep is associated with improved daytime symptoms and psychosocial functioning among individuals who have developed PTSD. Initial research also suggests that improving sleep could be similarly beneficial in reducing coping oriented substance use and preventing relapse among those seeking treatment for SUDs. Together, these findings suggest that ameliorating sleep disturbance among at-risk individuals would be a viable target for the prevention and treatment of PTSD and associated SUDs, but prospective research is needed to examine this hypothesis. Enhanced understanding of the interrelation between sleep, PTSD, and SUDs may yield novel prevention and intervention approaches for these costly, prevalent and frequently co-occurring disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Vandrey
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Kimberly A. Babson
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, University of Pennsylvania
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Evan S. Herrmann
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Marcel O. Bonn-Miller
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, University of Pennsylvania
- Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education, Philadelphia VAMC; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania
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Talbot LS, Maguen S, Metzler TJ, Schmitz M, McCaslin SE, Richards A, Perlis ML, Posner DA, Weiss B, Ruoff L, Varbel J, Neylan TC. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Sleep 2014; 37:327-41. [PMID: 24497661 DOI: 10.5665/sleep.3408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Examine whether cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) improves sleep in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as nightmares, nonsleep PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and psychosocial functioning. DESIGN RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL WITH TWO ARMS: CBT-I and monitor-only waitlist control. SETTING Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS Forty-five adults (31 females: [mean age 37 y (22-59 y)] with PTSD meeting research diagnostic criteria for insomnia, randomly assigned to CBT-I (n = 29; 22 females) or monitor-only waitlist control (n = 16; nine females). INTERVENTIONS Eight-session weekly individual CBT-I delivered by a licensed clinical psychologist or a board-certified psychiatrist. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Measures included continuous monitoring of sleep with diary and actigraphy; prepolysomnography and postpolysomnography and Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS); and pre, mid, and post self-report questionnaires, with follow-up of CBT-I participants 6 mo later. CBT-I was superior to the waitlist control condition in all sleep diary outcomes and in polysomnography-measured total sleep time. Compared to waitlist participants, CBT-I participants reported improved subjective sleep (41% full remission versus 0%), disruptive nocturnal behaviors (based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Addendum), and overall work and interpersonal functioning. These effects were maintained at 6-mo follow-up. Both CBT-I and waitlist control participants reported reductions in PTSD symptoms and CAPS-measured nightmares. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) improved sleep in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder, with durable gains at 6 mo. Overall psychosocial functioning improved following CBT-I. The initial evidence regarding CBT-I and nightmares is promising but further research is needed. Results suggest that a comprehensive approach to treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder should include behavioral sleep medicine. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION TRIAL NAME: Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Of Insomnia In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00881647. REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT00881647.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Talbot
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Shira Maguen
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Martha Schmitz
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Shannon E McCaslin
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA ; National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Anne Richards
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Michael L Perlis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Donn A Posner
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | | | - Leslie Ruoff
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Thomas C Neylan
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA
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Betts KS, Williams GM, Najman JM, Alati R. The role of sleep disturbance in the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation. J Anxiety Disord 2013; 27:735-41. [PMID: 24176805 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We tested if the risk of suicidal ideation in individuals with PTSD symptoms was dependent on comorbid sleep disturbance. Our cross-sectional sample included 2465 participants with complete data from the 21 year follow-up of the Mater University Study of Pregnancy (MUSP), a birth cohort study of young Australians. Using structural equation modelling with indirect pathways we found that 12 month PTSD symptoms did not directly predict suicidal ideation at 21 when adjusting for major depression symptoms, polyvictimization and gender. However, PTSD symptoms had an indirect effect on suicidal ideation via past-month sleep disturbance. Our results suggest that increased suicidal ideation in those with PTSD may result from the fact that PTSD sufferers often exhibit other comorbid psychiatric conditions which are themselves known to predict suicidal behaviours. Sleep disturbance may be targeted in those who experience PTSD to help prevent suicidal ideation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Steven Betts
- School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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Kobayashi I, Delahanty DL. Gender differences in subjective sleep after trauma and the development of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: a pilot study. J Trauma Stress 2013; 26:467-74. [PMID: 23861181 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Women are at higher risk than men for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following certain types of trauma such as accidents and assaults. Sleep disturbances have been implicated in the development of PTSD. Although gender differences in objective sleep soon after trauma have been found in a prior polysomnographic study, gender differences in subjective sleep soon after trauma and their associations to the development of PTSD have not been examined. This pilot study prospectively examined whether gender moderated the relationship between subjective sleep soon after trauma and PTSD symptom development. Injury patients (17 women, 28 men) completed a sleep questionnaire and a 1-week sleep diary 2 weeks after their injuries, and the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale at 7-weeks postinjury. Results showed that women reported greater frequency of nightmares and disruptive nocturnal behaviors (e.g., hot flashes, memories/nightmares about trauma) following the trauma and more severe PTSD symptoms at 7 weeks. Further, gender moderated the relationship between sleep-onset latency and PTSD symptom severity, such that longer sleep-onset latency predicted more severe PTSD symptoms in men, but less severe PTSD symptoms in women. These findings suggest that gender-specific mechanisms may underlie the relationship between sleep impairment and the development of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihori Kobayashi
- Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA.
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Mild Transient Hypercapnia as a Novel Fear Conditioning Stimulus Allowing Re-Exposure during Sleep. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67435. [PMID: 23840700 PMCID: PMC3693948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Studies suggest that sleep plays a role in traumatic memories and that treatment of sleep disorders may help alleviate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Fear-conditioning paradigms in rodents are used to investigate causal mechanisms of fear acquisition and the relationship between sleep and posttraumatic behaviors. We developed a novel conditioning stimulus (CS) that evoked fear and was subsequently used to study re-exposure to the CS during sleep. Methods Experiment 1 assessed physiological responses to a conditioned stimulus (mild transient hypercapnia, mtHC; 3.0% CO2; n = 17)+footshock for the purpose of establishing a novel CS in male FVB/J mice. Responses to the novel CS were compared to tone+footshock (n = 18) and control groups of tone alone (n = 17) and mild transient hypercapnia alone (n = 10). A second proof of principle experiment re-exposed animals during sleep to mild transient hypercapnia or air (control) to study sleep processes related to the CS. Results Footshock elicited a response of acute tachycardia (30–40 bpm) and increased plasma epinephrine. When tone predicted footshock it elicited mild hypertension (1–2 mmHg) and a three-fold increase in plasma epinephrine. When mtHC predicted footshock it also induced mild hypertension, but additionally elicited a conditioned bradycardia and a smaller increase in plasma epinephrine. The overall mean 24 hour sleep–wake profile was unaffected immediately after fear conditioning. Discussion Our study demonstrates the efficacy of mtHC as a conditioning stimulus that is perceptible but innocuous (relative to tone) and applicable during sleep. This novel model will allow future studies to explore sleep-dependent mechanisms underlying maladaptive fear responses, as well as elucidate the moderators of the relationship between fear responses and sleep.
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Sleep disturbance and emotion dysregulation as transdiagnostic processes in a comorbid sample. Behav Res Ther 2013; 51:540-6. [PMID: 23831496 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2013.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2012] [Revised: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Sleep disturbance and emotion dysregulation have been identified as etiologic and maintaining factors for a range of psychopathology and separate literatures support their relationships to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and alcohol dependence (AD) symptom severity. Previous studies have examined these relationships in isolation, failing to account for the high rates of comorbidity among disorders. It is not yet known whether these processes uniquely predict symptom severity in each of these domains. Participants were 220 patients in residential substance abuse treatment, who had experienced a potentially traumatic event and exceeded screening cutoffs for probable PTSD and problematic alcohol use. Controlling for emotion dysregulation and the interrelationships among the outcome variables, insomnia was uniquely associated with anxiety (B = .27, p < .001), depression (B = .25, p < .001), PTSD (B = .22, p < .001), and AD (B = .17, p = .01) symptom severity. Similarly, controlling for insomnia, emotion dysregulation was uniquely associated with anxiety (B = .40, p < .001), depression (B = .47, p < .001), PTSD (B = .38, p < .001), and AD (B = .26, p < .001) symptom severity. Insomnia and emotion dysregulation appear to be transdiagnostic processes uniquely associated with symptom severity across a number of different domains and might be important treatment targets for individuals with PTSD and AD.
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Insana SP, Hall M, Buysse DJ, Germain A. Validation of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Addendum for posttraumatic stress disorder (PSQI-A) in U.S. male military veterans. J Trauma Stress 2013; 26:192-200. [PMID: 23512653 PMCID: PMC3746481 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2012] [Revised: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Sleep disturbances are core symptoms of posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD), yet they bear less stigma than other PTSD symptoms. Given the growing number of returning military veterans, brief, valid assessments that identify PTSD in a minimally stigmatizing way may be useful in research and clinical practice. The study purpose was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Addendum for PTSD (PSQI-A), and to examine its ability to identify PTSD cases among U.S. male military veterans. Male military veterans (N = 119) completed the PSQI-A, as well as measures of sleep quality, combat exposure, posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. Veterans with PTSD had higher PSQI-A identified disruptive nocturnal behaviors than veterans without PTSD. The PSQI-A had good internal consistency and convergent validity with sleep quality, combat exposure, PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety. A cutoff score ≥ 4 provided an area under the curve = .81, with 71% sensitivity, 82% specificity, and 60% positive and 83% negative predictive value for a clinical diagnosis of PTSD; correct classification was 74%. The PSQI-A is a valid measure to possibly detect PTSD among male military veterans. Assessment of disruptive nocturnal behaviors may provide a cost-effective, nonstigmatizing approach to PTSD screening without directly probing for trauma exposure(s).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martica Hall
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,
,Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel J. Buysse
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,
| | - Anne Germain
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,
,Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA
,Corresponding author. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, 3811 O’Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; .
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Tempesta D, Curcio G, De Gennaro L, Ferrara M. Long-term impact of earthquakes on sleep quality. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55936. [PMID: 23418478 PMCID: PMC3572187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the impact of the 6.3 magnitude 2009 L'Aquila (Italy) earthquake on standardized self-report measures of sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) and frequency of disruptive nocturnal behaviours (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Addendum, PSQI-A) two years after the natural disaster. METHODS Self-reported sleep quality was assessed in 665 L'Aquila citizens exposed to the earthquake compared with a different sample (n = 754) of L'Aquila citizens tested 24 months before the earthquake. In addition, sleep quality and disruptive nocturnal behaviours (DNB) of people exposed to the traumatic experience were compared with people that in the same period lived in different areas ranging between 40 and 115 km from the earthquake epicenter (n = 3574). RESULTS The comparison between L'Aquila citizens before and after the earthquake showed a significant deterioration of sleep quality after the exposure to the trauma. In addition, two years after the earthquake L'Aquila citizens showed the highest PSQI scores and the highest incidence of DNB compared to subjects living in the surroundings. Interestingly, above-the-threshold PSQI scores were found in the participants living within 70 km from the epicenter, while trauma-related DNBs were found in people living in a range of 40 km. Multiple regressions confirmed that proximity to the epicenter is predictive of sleep disturbances and DNB, also suggesting a possible mediating effect of depression on PSQI scores. CONCLUSIONS The psychological effects of an earthquake may be much more pervasive and long-lasting of its building destruction, lasting for years and involving a much larger population. A reduced sleep quality and an increased frequency of DNB after two years may be a risk factor for the development of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Tempesta
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curcio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
- IRCCS S. Raffaele, Roma - Casa di Cura S. Raffaele, Cassino (FR), Italy
| | - Luigi De Gennaro
- Department of Psychology, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Ferrara
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
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Kobayashi I, Cowdin N, Mellman TA. One's sex, sleep, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Biol Sex Differ 2012; 3:29. [PMID: 23272647 PMCID: PMC3544628 DOI: 10.1186/2042-6410-3-29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Women are approximately twice as likely as men to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after trauma exposure. Mechanisms underlying this difference are not well understood. Although sleep is recognized to have a critical role in PTSD and physical and psychological health more generally, research into the role of sleep in PTSD sex differences has been only recent. In this article, we review both animal and human studies relevant to sex differences in sleep and PTSD with an emphasis on the roles of sex hormones. Sleep impairment including insomnia, trauma-related nightmares, and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep fragmentation has been observed in individuals with chronic and developing PTSD, suggesting that sleep impairment is a characteristic of PTSD and a risk factor for its development. Preliminary findings suggested sex specific patterns of sleep alterations in developing and established PTSD. Sleep maintenance impairment in the aftermath of trauma was observed in women who subsequently developed PTSD, and greater REM sleep fragmentation soon after trauma was associated with developing PTSD in both sexes. In chronic PTSD, reduced deep sleep has been found only in men, and impaired sleep initiation and maintenance with PTSD have been found in both sexes. A limited number of studies with small samples have shown that sex hormones and their fluctuations over the menstrual cycle influenced sleep as well as fear extinction, a process hypothesized to be critical to the pathogenesis of PTSD. To further elucidate the possible relationship between the sex specific patterns of PTSD-related sleep alterations and the sexually dimorphic risk for PTSD, future studies with larger samples should comprehensively examine effects of sex hormones and the menstrual cycle on sleep responses to trauma and the risk/resilience for PTSD utilizing various methodologies including fear conditioning and extinction paradigms and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihori Kobayashi
- Department of Psychiatry, Howard University, 530 College St, NW, Washington, DC, 20060, USA.
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47
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Gregory Lande
- a Psychiatry Continuity Service, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Bethesda , Maryland , USA
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48
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Casement MD, Harrington KM, Miller MW, Resick PA. Associations between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index factors and health outcomes in women with posttraumatic stress disorder. Sleep Med 2012; 13:752-8. [PMID: 22542787 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2012.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2011] [Revised: 02/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a widely used measure of subjective sleep disturbance in clinical populations, including individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although the severity of sleep disturbance is generally represented by a global symptom score, recent factor analytic studies suggest that the PSQI is better characterized by a two- or three-factor model than a one-factor model. This study examined the replicability of two- and three-factor models of the PSQI, as well as the relationship between PSQI factors and health outcomes, in a female sample with PTSD. METHODS The PSQI was administered to 319 women with PTSD related to sexual or physical assault. Confirmatory factor analyses tested the relative fit of one-, two-, and three-factor solutions. Bivariate correlations were performed to examine the shared variance between PSQI sleep factors and measures of PTSD, depression, anger, and physical symptoms. RESULTS Confirmatory factor analyses supported a three-factor model with Sleep Efficiency, Perceived Sleep Quality, and Daily Disturbances as separate indices of sleep quality. The severity of symptoms represented by the PSQI factors was positively associated with the severity of PTSD, depression, and physical symptoms. However, these health outcomes correlated as much or more with the global PSQI score as with PSQI factor scores. CONCLUSIONS These results support the multidimensional structure of the PSQI. Despite this, the global PSQI score has as much or more explanatory power as individual PSQI factors in predicting health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melynda D Casement
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University Medical Center, 150 S. Huntington Ave (116B), Boston, MA 02130, USA.
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Sleep problems among persons with a lifetime history of posttraumatic stress disorder alone and in combination with a lifetime history of other psychiatric disorders: a replication and extension. Compr Psychiatry 2011; 52:580-6. [PMID: 21489420 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2009] [Revised: 01/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sleep problems are a clinical and/or diagnostic feature for a broad array of mood, substance use, and anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research by Leskin et al (Leskin GA, Woodward SH, Young HE, Sheikh J. Effects of comorbid diagnoses on sleep disturbance in PTSD. J Psychiat Res 2002;36:449-452) using the baseline National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) data found that persons with PTSD and panic disorder had a greater proportion of sleep problems than persons with other comorbid disorders. The current study extends Leskin et al's findings using the replication of the NCS. It compared persons with a lifetime history of PTSD (either alone or in combination) with 6 comparison disorders (adult separation anxiety, alcohol dependence, generalized anxiety, dysthymia, major depression, and panic) on severity of sleep disorder symptoms. METHOD The NCS Replication was a national probability survey of 9282 individuals that examined the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders. Subjects were chosen through a multistage probability sample of US households and interviewed using a computer-aided version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS The PTSD (alone) group did not differ from the comparison disorders on difficulties of falling/staying asleep but did report more weeks per year when they had sleep difficulties than persons with adult separation anxiety, alcohol dependence, and major depression. CONCLUSION Unlike Leskin et al, the additive effects of a second disorder on sleep difficulties are not unique to panic disorder. However, when sleep difficulties were indexed by the number of weeks per year, differences between diagnostic groups emerged. If the goal of a diagnostic system is to carve nature at its joints, a sleep disturbance symptom reflecting frequency of difficulties in this way is clearly superior to less precise alternatives.
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Troxel WM, Germain A. Insecure attachment is an independent correlate of objective sleep disturbances in military veterans. Sleep Med 2011; 12:860-5. [PMID: 21925945 PMCID: PMC3367508 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2011.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Revised: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 07/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep disturbances and interpersonal problems are highly prevalent in military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are associated with substantial comorbidities and increased healthcare costs. This study examines the association between interpersonal attachment styles and sleep in a high-risk cohort of military veterans with PTSD symptoms. METHODS Participants were 49 military veterans (85% male) enrolled in a treatment study of combat-related sleep disturbances. Data were collected at pre-treatment baseline. Attachment anxiety and avoidance, clinical characteristics, and subjective sleep quality were characterised via self-report. Polysomnographic sleep measures were averaged from two nights of in-laboratory sleep studies and included: visually scored duration and continuity, the percentage of stage 3+4 sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) measures of delta and beta power during NREM and REM sleep. Linear regressions evaluated the relationship between attachment styles and sleep with adjustment for demographics, and PTSD and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Greater attachment anxiety was associated with reduced percentage of stage 3+4 sleep, (β=-0.36, p<0.05) and increased relative beta power during NREM sleep (β=0.40, p<0.05). By contrast, greater attachment avoidance was positively associated with delta power during NREM and REM sleep (β=0.35 and 0.38, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest specific effects of interpersonal styles on physiological sleep measures. Elucidating both the neurobiological and psychological correlates of PTSD-related sleep disturbances is critical for developing future targeted intervention efforts aimed at reducing the burden of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy M Troxel
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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