Insomnia and disturbed sleep are more common in autistic adults compared with non-autistic adults, contributing to significant social, psychological and health burdens. However, sleep intervention research for autistic adults is lacking.

The aim of the study was to implement an acceptance and commitment therapy group insomnia intervention (ACT-i) tailored for autistic adults to examine its impact on insomnia and co-occurring mental health symptoms.

Eight individuals (6 male, 2 female) aged between 18 and 70 years, with a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and scores ranging from 9 to 26 on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) participated in the trial. Participants were assigned to one of two intervention groups (4 per group) within a multiple baseline over time design for group. Participants completed questionnaires pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 2-month follow-up, actigraphy 1 week prior to intervention and 1 week post-intervention, and a daily sleep diary from baseline to 1 week post-intervention, and 1 week at follow-up.

At a group level there were significant improvements in ISI (λ2=10.17, p=.006) and HADS-A (anxiety) (λ2=8.40, p=.015) scores across the three time points. Clinically reliable improvement occurred for ISI scores (n=5) and HADS-A scores (n=4) following intervention. Client satisfaction indicated that ACT-i was an acceptable intervention to the participants (median 4 out of 5).

This pilot study with eight autistic adults indicates that ACT-i is both an efficacious and acceptable intervention for reducing self-reported insomnia and anxiety symptoms in autistic adults.

Insomnia symptoms are common during the postpartum period, yet interventions remain scarce. This trial aimed to simultaneously examine the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and light dark therapy (LDT), targeting different mechanisms, against treatment-as-usual (TAU), in reducing maternal postpartum insomnia symptoms.

This three-arm randomised controlled trial recruited from the general community in Australia. Nulliparous females 4–12 months postpartum with self-reported insomnia symptoms [Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores >7] were included; severe medical/psychiatric conditions were excluded. Participants were randomised 1:1:1 to CBT, LDT, or TAU stratified by ISI (< or ⩾14) and infant age (< or ⩾8 months). Participants and principal investigators were unblinded. Six-week interventions were delivered via digital materials and telephone. The primary outcome was insomnia symptoms (ISI), assessed pre-, midpoint-, post- (primary endpoint), and one-month post-intervention. Analyses were intention-to-treat using latent growth models.

114 participants (CBT = 39, LDT = 36, TAU = 39; Mage = 32.20 ± 4.62 years) were randomised. There were significantly greater reductions in ISI scores in CBT and LDT (effect sizes −2.01 and −1.52 respectively, p < 0.001) from baseline to post-intervention compared to TAU; improvements were maintained at follow-up. Similar effects were observed for self-reported sleep disturbance. There were greater reductions in fatigue in CBT (effect size = 0.85, p < 0.001) but not LDT (p = 0.11) compared to TAU. Changes in sleepiness, depression, and anxiety were non-significant compared to TAU (all p > 0.08). Four participants (11%) in the LDT group reported headaches, dizziness, or nausea; no others reported adverse events.

Therapist-assisted CBT and LDT were feasible during the first postpartum year; data at post-intervention and 1-month follow-up support their safety and efficacy in reducing postpartum insomnia symptoms.

Up to 10% of the US adult population will experience chronic insomnia, with women and elderly individuals at particularly high risk. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the core treatment for insomnia. When cognitive behavioral therapy is not enough, medications can help patients overcome the barriers and learned behaviors that prevent a good night’s sleep.

Through this research we aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of new drugs in the treatment of insomnia.

We try to do a Bibliographic Review in PubMed using keywords like “insomnia” “new hypnotic drugs” and “effectiveness”

Patients receiving trazodone perceived better sleep quality than those receiving the placebo with a non-significantly moderate heterogeneity. As to secondary efficacy outcomes, we only found a significant reduction for trazodone in the number of awakenings compared to the placebo. Trazodone was effective in sleep maintenance by decreasing the number of early awakenings and it could significantly improve perceived sleep quality, although there were no significant improvements in sleep efficiency or other objective measures. Importantly, lemborexant improves latency to sleep onset and sleep maintenance and is able to help people who experience early morning awakenings. Safety data reveal that lemborexant has minimal residual effects on morning alertness or next day function.

Unfortunately, treatment of insomnia is not always that simple. The disorder’s complex underlying pathophysiology warrants consideration of different nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options. Indeed, recent insights gained from research into the pathophysiology of insomnia have facilitated development of newer treatment approaches with more efficacious outcomes.

No significant relationships.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that associates multiple psychiatric symptoms and disorders, like depression, neurocognitive impairment, sleeping disorders, etc. Insomnia is frequently detected in this population, with a prevalence of over 50% according to several studies.

To present a case series dedicated to the treatment of insomnia in patients diagnosed with PD, who did not meet diagnostic criteria for any other psychiatric disorder.

A number of three patients (2 male, one female, mean age 65.2 years) diagnosed with PD, were evaluated for insomnia. They were all initiated on quetiapine XR 50 mg QD, and up-titrated according to the individual response. All these patients were undergoing treatment for their neurological disease, which remained stable for the next 3 months. A structured clinical evaluation was performed monthly, and safety measurements were also performed. All patients self-evaluated their insomnia severity on a 10-point visual analogic scale (VAS).

After 3 months, patients reported a favorable evolution of their insomnia- VAS score improved significantly to baseline (from 7.3 to 3.3), without significant adverse events (metabolic parameters and QTc values did not change significantly during the treatment period). Daytime sleepiness was not reported as being significant by any of these patients. The mean dose of quetiapine XR used was 75 mg QD (50-150 mg QD), and the mean duration of the needed treatment for insomnia was 8.3 weeks (4-11 weeks).

Quetiapine XR could be useful in patients with PD-related insomnia, and the mean dose is usually below 100 mg QD.

No significant relationships.

Insomnia and Nightmare disorder are the two most common comorbid sleep disturbances in psychotic conditions. However, insomnia and psychotic symptoms are umbrella terms that hide the heterogeneity of these concepts. Several studies have found that worsening sleep quality is associated with the strengthening of psychotic symptoms. Until now, there was less interest in the relationship between the specific insomnia symptoms (trouble with falling asleep, fragmented sleep, early awakenings, daytime consequences) and the specific dimensions of schizotypy (disorganization, unusual perceptual experiences, anhedonia, and impulsive nonconformity).

The study aimed to depict the network structure of insomnia, dreaming features (dream recall/bad dream/nightmare frequency), and schizotypy dimensions.

Exploratory network analysis was conducted on cross-sectional data of the general population (N=1419, 77 % female). We modeled the interrelations between insomnia symptoms (Athens Insomnia Scale), dreaming features (the frequency of dream recall/bad dreams/nightmares), and the dimensions of schizotypy (OLIFE-S).

show a highly connected network with strong stability. The nodes of schizotypy, insomnia, and dream feature perfectly correspond to their own clusters, but the nodes were also densely connected between the three clusters. Disorganization, frequent awakenings, and nightmares are the most central nodes of the clusters. The node of frequent nightmares seems to be the bridge symptom in this network which connects unusual experiences dimension and frequent awakenings.

These results suggest that specific dimensions of schizotypy and specific sleep complaints are differently connected. However further research is needed to investigate the finer details of these heterogenic phenomena.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic is associated with several stressful factors that can negatively affect peoples’ sleep quality and mental health.

The aim of the current study was to prospectively identify decreased sleep quality and associated risk factors in general population during COVID-19 pandemic.

We conducted a prospective, observational online study on a Romanian sample of 667 respondents aged >18 years. Sleep quality and quantity was evaluated with Athens Insomnia scale (AIS) and the main concerns associated with the pandemic context were evaluated through a multiple-choice question.

The data collected identified important evidence regarding the prevalence and intensity of insomnia. The average score for AIS was 6.13 (cut-off point for was set at 8). However, it is worth noting that 179 respondents (26.8%) meet the criteria for insomnia. Of the 8 self-assessment items, daytime sleepiness was the criterion evaluated with the highest average score (1.01), all other items getting subunit values. A low quality of sleep was linearly related with fear of illness/death (p=0.053), fear of illness/death of close people (p=0.032), social isolation (p<0.001), economic impact (p=0.003), losing the job (p<0.001) and social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection (p=0.009).

More than a qurter of respondes scored above the threshold of 8 at the insomnia scale, while losing the job, social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection and social isolation are the main risk factors for a low quality and quantity of sleep.

No significant relationships.

COVID-19 pandemic has many psychological and physical effects. University students are among vulnerable population.

We aimed in this study to assess sleep effects of COVID-19 pandemic on university students in Saudi Arabia.

We conducted cross-sectional study to collect responses of 5,140 participations from Saudi universities, responders completed the demographic questions, psychological scales including insomnia severity scale (ISI) between 24th and 30th of April 2020.

About 41% of the sample suffered from moderate to severe insomnia. Mean ISI score was 12.9 (SD 6.62). Insomnia was associated with female gender, younger age, students from new universities, junior students, if a relative got COVID-19, having a chronic medical illness, and having a psychiatric disorder.

Covid-19 pandemic has clear effect on sleep among Saudi university students. Universities need to plan and implement protective and intervention strategies to deal with this important issue.

No significant relationships.

Research on the prevalence of and risk factors for insomnia among refugee populations is limited and tends to focus on pre-migratory trauma. Yet, post migratory stressors are just as important for mental health and may also relate to insomnia.

Objective: To determine the association between different post-migration stressors and insomnia among Syrian refugees living in Norway.

We used data from the REUFGE study, a cross-sectional survey with 902 Syrian refugees who arrived in Norway between 2015 and 2017. Insomnia was measured with the Bergen Insomnia Scale and post-migrant stress with the Refugee Post-Migration Stress Scale (RPMS). We applied logistic regression analyses to investigate the association between seven different postmigration stressors and insomnia after controlling for demographics, traumatic experiences and post traumatic stress symptoms.

Of the 873 participants who completed questions on insomnia, 515 (41%) reported insomnia. There was no significant difference between men and women. The most commonly reported postmigration stressors were Competency Strain [SML1], Family and Home Concerns, and Loss of Home Country. After controlling for demographics, traumatic experiences and post-traumatic stress symptoms, Financial Strain, Loss of Home Country, Family and Home Concerns and Social Strain were still associated with higher odds of insomnia.

Resettlement difficulties are related to poorer sleep among refugees. Measures to improve the social conditions and financial concerns of refugees in receiving countries could potentially reduce insomnia among refugees which in turn, may benefit mental and physical health.

No significant relationships.

Power spectral analysis is the most common method of quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) techniques and enables investigation of the microstructure of insomnia. Previous spectral analysis studies on insomnia have shown inconsistent results due to their heterogeneity and small sample sizes.

We compared the difference of electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power during sleep among participants without insomnia, insomniacs with no hypnotic use, hypnotic users with no insomnia complaints, and hypnotic users with insomnia complaints.

We used the Sleep Heart Health Study data, which is large sample size and has good quality control. The fast Fourier transformation was used to calculate the EEG power spectrum for total sleep duration within contiguous 30-second epochs of sleep. For 1,985 participants, EEG spectral power was compared among the groups while adjusting for potential confounding factors that could affect sleep EEG.

The power spectra during total sleep differed significantly among the groups in all frequency bands (p corr < 0.001). We found that quantitative EEG spectral power in the beta and sigma bands of total sleep differed (p corr < 0.001) between participants without insomnia and hypnotic users with insomnia complaints after controlling for potential confounders. The higher beta and sigma power were found in the hypnotic users with insomnia complaints than in the non-insomnia participants.

This study suggests differences in the microstructures of polysomnography-derived sleep EEG between the insomnia groups.

No significant relationships.

Insomnia is one of the most common major health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been limited evidence that showed the correlation between insomnia and COVID-19 using Google trend.

To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on interest in insomnia, including national mental health by a Google trend analysis that implicitly represents the state of distress and concern for this pandemic.

We examined the Google trend search query data from these sleep-related keywords: insomnia, restless leg, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) from 1 Jan 2020 to 30 May 2020 and explored the correlation between the internet search volumes for insomnia and the cumulative number of new COVID-19 cases. In addition, we investigated the internet search pattern over time, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic between January and May 2020, the Relative Search Volumes (RSV) curves showed that the cumulative number of new COVID-19 cases was significantly correlated with the rising search for these keywords linking to sleep-related conditions as follows: ‘insomnia’ (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), and ‘restless leg’ (r = 0.19, p = 0.009). However, it was not correlated with the keyword ‘OSA’ (r = -0.14, p = 0.07).

These findings emphasize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on insomnia and the crucial need for public mental health interventions to be offered and accessible. The Google trend could be used as a new tool for public mental health surveillance in a new normal lifestyle.

No significant relationships.

Workplace conditions have a documented effect on employee health including sleep. Occupational stress and burnout are more frequent among penitentiary personnel than the general population.

The aim of the current study was to examine the phenomenon of insomnia and its relationship with occupational burnout in a sample of Polish prison officers.

The study was carried out on a sample of Polish prison officers using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI).

showed that the Polish prison officers exhibited early symptoms of insomnia. Sleep disorders had a significant role in developing occupational burnout. Coping strategies such as help-seeking and engagement were revealed to have a mediating role in the relationship between insomnia and occupational burnout dimensions. The coping strategy of help-seeking was the only predictor of insomnia.

The results can constitute a significant argument for health promotion campaigns highlighting sleep hygiene directed at penitentiary personnel. A research model created for the purposes of future studies would allow for measuring the frequency of health behaviors, including the general category of preventive behaviors. The study warrants continuation.

No significant relationships.

SARS-COV 2 virus and the disease caused by the virus is a challenge for the healthcare workers since the beggining of the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with huge number of patient who need hospital care at the same time but also having scare information about the virus resulted with physical exhaustion, increased workload and mostly fear among the healthcare workers.

The purpose of the study was to expand our knowledge about the mental health of the healthcare workers and explore most common psychological problems they faced during the Covid-19 pandemic over a period of three month.

All participants in the study work in the same public hospital in Skopje, North Macedonia in one of the following job positions: physicians, nurses, paramedics, and hygienists. They anonymously filled out a google form answering questions about their mental health. Questions in the form were created based on Beck Depression Scale and the GAD-7 Scale for Anxiety along with questions about the gender, age, and job position.

The results we gained from this study are showing that the participants experienced insomnia, reduced concentration, intense feelings of restlessness and fatigue, less energy and mostly lack of job satisfaction.

Those symptoms indicates that healthcare workers developed anxiety and depression while working with patient infected by the SARS-COV 2 virus.

No significant relationships.

Psychological health problems, especially emotional disorders, have become an important topic of considerations for many scientists, because the epidemiology of these disorders is strongly influenced by stressful events, such as the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic.

The aim of this study was to evaluate selected parameters of psychosocial functioning as well as socio-demographic correlates of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and perceived stress among the residents of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

An online questionnaire was completed by 323 participants, in whom the parameters of psychosocial functioning were assessed: symptoms of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), severity of sleep disorders (AIS) and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale).

The majority of the respondents (75.2%) scored high on the Perceived Stress Scale, almost half of the respondents (47.1%) had sleep disorders and 26% of the participants had no depressive symptoms. Age statistically significantly correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms and sleep disorders. Parental status statistically significantly correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms. There was a strong correlation between the severity of depression and anxiety and a strong correlation between depression and sleep disorders.

Age and parental status contributed to the severity of depressive symptoms and the occurrence of sleep disorders among the residents of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Some of the residents of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship showed high levels of stress or insomnia. The severity of depressive symptoms significantly influenced the levels of anxiety and perceived stress, as well as the occurrence of sleep disorders.

No significant relationships.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 113 cannabinoids identified in cannabis plants. Considered as a psycho-inactive component, recently, the Court of Justice of the European Union published a ruling in which it establishes that cannabidiol extracted from the cannabis plant should not be considered a drug under the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961. Due to increased publicity on social media of the supposed benefits of this product, in addition to the lack of clear regulations, it is becoming a widely used treatment for sleep disorders.

To analyse literature for the effect of CBD in sleep disturbances, emphasizing advantages and disadvantages of its use.

We carried out a literature review in Pubmed choosing those articles focused on effect of CBD in sleep disturbances.

The review of the effect of CBD on sleep cycle suggest that medium to high doses increased REM sleep latency, and medium-low doses decreased REM sleep latency. No evidence of withdrawal syndrome was found with abrupt discontinuation of short-term treatment with CBD.

Most of the literature revised shows that the data was taken by self-questionares to CBD users. Studies suggest that a short use of medium to hight doses of CBD may improve insomnia, however, combined use with THC may result in a decrease in slow wave sleep. Longitudinal research should be done in order to understand the clinical impact of CBD on sleep.

No significant relationships.

Sleep is essential for an adequate neurobiological functioning, being implicated in several cognitive functions. Even in healthy individuals, sleep deprivation can lead to a number of psychopathological changes, including perceptual distortions, hallucinations and delusions. Thus, the resulting clinical picture may be similar to a psychotic disorder.

To present a clinical case of psychotic symptomatology induced by sleep deprivation.

Patient’s clinical file consultation and literature review using the search engine Pubmed® and the keywords: “sleep deprivation”, “sleep loss” and “psychosis”.

We present the case of a 41-year-old woman with a history of an episode of mood changes with psychotic symptoms that was preceded by a period of total insomnia. No psychotropic drugs since then and no relapses. In May 2020, she was admitted in psychiatry department due to clinical picture composed by significant psychomotor slowing, drowsiness, slowed speech, verbal visual, tactile and auditory hallucinations accompanied by grandiose delusions. These symptoms were preceded by total insomnia with one week of duration. In the hospital was administered quetiapine 100mg and lorazepam 2.5mg to aid in the recovery of sleep deprivation and concomitantly aripiprazole 15mg was prescribed. The patient presented a rapid and significant clinical improvement. Currently, it is without any type of medication and without psychopathological changes.

The clinical picture present in this case report was triggered after a significant period of sleep deprivation. Thus, it illustrates the role that sleep has in the development of psychiatric symptomatology, sometimes difficult to differentiate from psychiatric disorders.

No significant relationships.

The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate a Japanese version of brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and contribute to primary care which leads to prevention of a lifestyle-related disease or a psychiatric disorder.

A single-arm study in nine patients with chronic insomnia who were under the pharmacotherapy was executed. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the European Quality of Life 5 Items (EQ-5D) were assessed at the beginning of intervention, at the end of intervention, and after 12 weeks.

There were no patient dropouts nor adverse events. The average change in ISI score was −7.33 (95% CI: −10.31 to −4.36) at post-treatment and −6.11 (95% CI: −8.20 to −4.03) at the 12-week follow-up point (Cohen’s d = 2.25). The AIS score improved as well, and the EQ-5D score improved after 12 weeks. The safety and efficacy of the brief CBT-I were suggested.

To characterize 1) the relationship between laxative use and objective sleep metrics, and 2) the relationship between laxative use and self-reported insomnia symptoms in a convenience sample of middle-aged/elderly patients who completed in-laboratory polysomnography.

We cross-sectionally analyzed first-night diagnostic in-laboratory polysomnography data for 2946 patients over the age of 40 (mean age 60.5 years; 48.3% male). Laxative use and medical comorbidities were obtained through self-reported questionnaires. Patient insomnia symptoms were based on self-report. Associations between laxative use and objective sleep continuity were analyzed using multivariable linear regression models. Associations between laxative use and insomnia were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models.

After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, total recording time, and relevant comorbidities, laxative users had a 7.1% lower sleep efficiency (p < 0.001), 25.5-minute higher wake after sleep onset (p < 0.001), and a 29.4-minute lower total sleep time (p < 0.001) than patients not using laxatives. Laxative users were found to be at greater odds of reporting insomnia symptoms (OR = 1.7, p = 0.024) than patients not using laxatives.

Laxative use is associated with impairments in objective sleep continuity. Patients using laxatives were also at greater odds of reporting insomnia symptoms.