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Insomnia, Sleep Disorders and Mental Health

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 21123

Special Issue Editors

Department of Psychological Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Tokyo Kasei University, Itabashi-ku 173-8602, Japan
Interests: behavioral sleep medicine; cognitive behavioral therapy; loneliness; acceptance and commitment therapy
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan
Interests: sleep disorders; circadian rhythm; mood disorders; neuropsychopharmacology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As is well known, sleep problems have a huge impact on human health. In particular, insomnia, sleep–wake rhythm, and sleep debt have been shown to negatively associated with physical and mental health such as pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, fatigue, depression, anxiety, addiction, QoL

Interestingly, it has also been reported in recent years that improvement in sleep problems can directly promote physical and mental health. In addition, it has been shown that psychological intervention, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and a new generation of hypnotics, such as orexin receptor antagonists, are more effective treatments of insomnia. However, there is still much that is not known.

In this Special Issue, we invite cross-sectional and cohort studies, experimental studies, clinical trials, meta-analysis and systematic reviews that investigate the effects of sleep problems on physical and mental health. Studies that contribute to the development of psychological and pharmacological interventions are especially welcome.

Dr. Isa Okajima
Dr. Yoshikazu Takaesu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • insomnia
  • sleep-wake rhythm
  • sleep debt
  • social jetlag
  • sleep disorders
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • bipolar disorder
  • addiction
  • quality of life

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 617 KiB  
Article
Metabolic-Syndrome-Related Comorbidities in Narcolepsy Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study in Japan
by Kunihiro Futenma, Yoshikazu Takaesu, Masaki Nakamura, Kenichi Hayashida, Noboru Takeuchi and Yuichi Inoue
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 6285; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106285 - 22 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1929
Abstract
Narcolepsy types 1 (NT1) and 2 (NT2) and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) are thought to be a disease continuum known as narcolepsy spectrum disorders (NSDs). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with metabolic-syndrome-related disorders (MRDs) among patients with NSD. [...] Read more.
Narcolepsy types 1 (NT1) and 2 (NT2) and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) are thought to be a disease continuum known as narcolepsy spectrum disorders (NSDs). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with metabolic-syndrome-related disorders (MRDs) among patients with NSD. Japanese patients with NSD (NT1, n = 94; NT2, n = 83; and IH, n = 57) aged ≥35 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. MRD was defined as having at least one of the following conditions: hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Demographic variables and MRD incidence were compared among patients in the respective NSD categories. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the factors associated with MRDs. Patients with NT1 had a higher body mass index (BMI) and incidence of MRD than that had by those with NT2 or IH. Age, BMI, and the presence of OSA were significantly associated with the incidence of MRD in NSDs. Age and BMI in NT1, BMI and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQB1*06:02 positivity in NT2, and only age in IH were factors associated with the incidence of MRD. Obesity should be carefully monitored in narcolepsy; however, NT2 with HLA-DQB1*06:02 positive should be followed up for the development of MRD even without obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insomnia, Sleep Disorders and Mental Health)
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10 pages, 1318 KiB  
Article
How Does E-mail-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Work for Young Adults (18–28 Years) with Insomnia? Mediators of Changes in Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
by Ayaka Ubara, Noriko Tanizawa, Megumi Harata, Sooyeon Suh, Chien-Ming Yang, Xin Li and Isa Okajima
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4423; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084423 - 07 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2421
Abstract
This study examined whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia (CBT-I) improved insomnia severity, by changing sleep-related mediating factors. It also examined whether an improvement in insomnia led to enhanced mental health. This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial [...] Read more.
This study examined whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia (CBT-I) improved insomnia severity, by changing sleep-related mediating factors. It also examined whether an improvement in insomnia led to enhanced mental health. This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of e-mail-delivered CBT-I for young adults with insomnia. The participants were randomized to either CBT-I or self-monitoring. The mental health-related measures were depression, anxiety, and stress. The sleep-related mediating factors were sleep hygiene practices, dysfunctional beliefs, sleep reactivity, and pre-sleep arousal. A total of 41 participants, who completed all the sessions (71% females; mean age 19.71 ± 1.98 years), were included in the analysis. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that 53% of the variance in the improvements in insomnia severity was explained by the treatment group (β = −0.53; ΔR2 = 0.25; p < 0.01) and the changes in sleep reactivity (β = 0.39; ΔR2 = 0.28; p < 0.05). Moreover, the mediation analysis showed that the reductions in depression and stress were explained by the changes in insomnia severity; however, anxiety symptoms were not reduced. CBT-I for young adults suggested that sleep reactivity is a significant mediator that reduces insomnia severity, and that the alleviation and prevention of depression and stress would occur with the improvement in insomnia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insomnia, Sleep Disorders and Mental Health)
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11 pages, 722 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Living Arrangements and Sleep Quality in Older Adults: Gender Differences
by Hyeon Sik Chu, Juyeon Oh and Kounseok Lee
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 3893; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073893 - 24 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2029
Abstract
(1) Background: This study examined the effects of living arrangements on the quality of sleep among older adults and analyzed related gender differences; (2) Methods: A total of 4756 older adults in Seoul were included. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, older adults living [...] Read more.
(1) Background: This study examined the effects of living arrangements on the quality of sleep among older adults and analyzed related gender differences; (2) Methods: A total of 4756 older adults in Seoul were included. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, older adults living alone showed a poorer sleep quality compared with those living with others; (3) Results: When we analyzed the effects of living arrangements on sleep quality by gender, there was no difference in the risk of poor sleep quality between male older adults living alone and those living with others (OR = 1.089, 95% CI = 0.729–1.628), whereas the risk of poor sleep quality was higher for female older adults living alone than those living with others (OR = 1.359, 95% CI = 1.088–1.696); (4) Conclusions: In this study, we have confirmed that older women living alone had poor sleep quality compared to older men. Hence, gender-based approaches will be helpful when providing social support resources to older adults living alone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insomnia, Sleep Disorders and Mental Health)
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11 pages, 656 KiB  
Article
Can an E-Mail-Delivered CBT for Insomnia Validated in the West Be Effective in the East? A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Isa Okajima, Noriko Tanizawa, Megumi Harata, Sooyeon Suh, Chien-Ming Yang, Shirley Xin Li and Mickey T. Trockel
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010186 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3463
Abstract
This study examined the effects of an e-mail-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), validated in Western countries, on insomnia severity, anxiety, and depression in young adults with insomnia in Eastern countries, particularly Japan. This prospective parallel-group randomized clinical trial included college students [...] Read more.
This study examined the effects of an e-mail-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), validated in Western countries, on insomnia severity, anxiety, and depression in young adults with insomnia in Eastern countries, particularly Japan. This prospective parallel-group randomized clinical trial included college students with Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores of ten or higher. Participants were recruited via advertising on a university campus and randomized to an e-mail-delivered CBT-I (REFRESH) or self-monitoring (SM) with sleep diaries group. The primary outcomes were insomnia severity, anxiety, and depression; secondary outcomes were sleep hygiene practices, dysfunctional beliefs, sleep reactivity, and pre-sleep arousal. All measurements were assessed before and after the intervention. A total of 48 participants (mean (SD) age, 19.56 (1.86) years; 67% female) were randomized and included in the analysis. The results of the intent-to-treat analysis showed a significant interaction effect for insomnia severity, anxiety, depression, sleep hygiene practice, and pre-sleep arousal. Compared with the SM group, the REFRESH group was more effective in reducing insomnia severity (Hedges’ g = 1.50), anxiety (g = 0.97), and depression (g = 0.61) post-intervention. These findings suggest that an e-mail-delivered CBT-I may be an effective treatment for young adults with elevated insomnia symptoms living in Japan. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insomnia, Sleep Disorders and Mental Health)
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11 pages, 1082 KiB  
Article
Association of Subjective Quality and Quantity of Sleep with Quality of Life among a General Population
by Kentaro Matsui, Takuya Yoshiike, Kentaro Nagao, Tomohiro Utsumi, Ayumi Tsuru, Rei Otsuki, Naoko Ayabe, Megumi Hazumi, Masahiro Suzuki, Kaori Saitoh, Sayaka Aritake-Okada, Yuichi Inoue and Kenichi Kuriyama
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312835 - 06 Dec 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3802
Abstract
This study aimed to determine whether both subjective sleep quality and sleep duration are directly associated with quality of life (QOL), as well as indirectly associated with QOL through insomnia symptoms. Individuals aged 20–69 years without mental illness (n = 9305) were [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine whether both subjective sleep quality and sleep duration are directly associated with quality of life (QOL), as well as indirectly associated with QOL through insomnia symptoms. Individuals aged 20–69 years without mental illness (n = 9305) were enrolled in this web-based cross-sectional survey. The Short Form-8 was used to assess physical and mental QOL. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and extracted items related to subjective sleep quality and sleep duration. Insomnia symptoms were also extracted from the PSQI. The hypothesized models were tested using structural equation modeling. Worse sleep quality, but not shorter sleep duration, was related to worse physical QOL. Both worse sleep quality and shorter sleep duration were related to worse mental QOL. Insomnia symptoms mediated these relationships. Subgroup analyses revealed a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and physical/mental QOL. However, the relationship between sleep quality and physical/mental QOL was consistent regardless of sleep duration. The results suggest that subjective sleep quality has a more coherent association with QOL than subjective sleep duration. Because of its high feasibility, a questionnaire on overall sleep quality could be a useful indicator in future epidemiological studies of strategies for improving QOL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insomnia, Sleep Disorders and Mental Health)
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10 pages, 697 KiB  
Article
Large Questionnaire Survey on Sleep Duration and Insomnia Using the TV Hybridcast System by Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)
by Kazuki Ito, Hiroshi Kadotani, Isa Okajima, Ayaka Ubara, Mamoru Ichikawa, Chie Omichi, Towa Miyamoto, Arichika Matsuda, Yukiyoshi Sumi and Hirotoshi Kitagawa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(5), 2691; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052691 - 07 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3868
Abstract
Background: Japanese people are known to have the shortest sleep duration in the world. To date, no study has assessed a large Japanese population for insomnia and sleep duration. Methods: We performed an Ιnternet-based survey in association with a national television (TV) program. [...] Read more.
Background: Japanese people are known to have the shortest sleep duration in the world. To date, no study has assessed a large Japanese population for insomnia and sleep duration. Methods: We performed an Ιnternet-based survey in association with a national television (TV) program. Questionnaire data were collected not only through personal computers, tablets, and smartphones, but also through the Hybridcast system, which combines broadcasts over airwaves with broadband data provided via the Internet using the TV remote controller. The Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) was used to assess insomnia. Results: A total of 301,241 subjects participated in the survey. Participants slept for an average of 5.96 ± 1.13 h; the average AIS score was 6.82 ± 3.69. A total of 26.1% of male and 27.1% of female participants had both insomnia (AIS ≥ 6) and short sleep duration (<6 h). Responses were recorded through the Hybridcast system for 76.4% of the elderly (age ≥ 65 years) subjects and through personal computers, tablets, or smartphones for 59.9–82.7% of the younger subjects (age ≤ 65 years). Conclusions: Almost a quarter of the Japanese participants presented short sleep duration and insomnia. Furthermore, the Hybridcast system may be useful for performing large internet-based surveys, especially for elderly individuals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insomnia, Sleep Disorders and Mental Health)
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21 pages, 2382 KiB  
Article
Associations of Sleep and Health Functioning with Premature Exit from Work: A Cohort Study with a Methodological Emphasis
by Erkki Kronholm, Nathaniel S. Marshall, Minna Mänty, Jouni Lahti, Eero Lahelma, Olli Pietiläinen, Ossi Rahkonen and Tea Lallukka
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(4), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041725 - 10 Feb 2021
Viewed by 2174
Abstract
Sleep and functioning are associated with a risk of early workforce exit. However, patterns of change in sleep and functioning through time have not been investigated using person-oriented approaches to show what features of sleep and functioning are associated with an early exit. [...] Read more.
Sleep and functioning are associated with a risk of early workforce exit. However, patterns of change in sleep and functioning through time have not been investigated using person-oriented approaches to show what features of sleep and functioning are associated with an early exit. We examined the pattern of interactions between sleep and health functioning characterizing homogenous subgroups of employees and their associations with premature work exit. An additional aim was to provide a tutorial providing detailed description on how to apply these models, compared to traditional variable based risk factors. We analyzed data from 5148 midlife employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, surveyed over three phases (2000–02, 2007, and 2012). Using repeated measures latent class analyses (RMLCA) we classified people into groups based on their trajectories in sleep and functioning. We identified four longitudinal groups: (1) Stable good sleep and functioning (reference), (2) Persistent sleep problems and good or moderate functioning, (3) Poor functioning with good sleep, and (4) Problematic sleep and health functioning. Compared to group 1, elevated risk was found in all classes with group 4 being the worst. In conclusion, focusing on person-orientated patterns of interactions between sleep and functioning helped produce qualitatively different and quantitatively stronger predictions than using conventional risk factor methodology. Thus, longitudinal person-oriented approaches may be a more powerful method for quantifying the role of sleep and health functioning as risks for premature exit from work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insomnia, Sleep Disorders and Mental Health)
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