Page 25 - AN-4-1

Advanced Neurology The rising impact of sleep disorders in the post-pandemic era

Table 5. Impact on mental health pre‑ and post‑COVID‑19
Pre‑COVID‑19 Post‑COVID‑19 References
- Factors such as the severity of the pandemic and the quality of sleep Yuan et al.
11
before the pandemic were associated with changes in sleep duration and
quality. The impact on mental health varied by individual and region,
with conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD, and an overall
decline in mental health observed.
Individuals who reported higher susceptibility Mental health was adversely impacted, with deteriorating sleep quality Gao and Scullin
12
of their sleeping patterns to stress at baseline often linked to conditions such as anxiety, depression, or stress.
were more likely to experience worsening Post-pandemic, individuals with declining sleep quality may continue to
sleep quality during the pandemic. This face these mental health challenges unless they are addressed. Those with
suggests a link between stress and mental high post-pandemic stress levels are at risk of persistent mental health
health, as stress can lead to mental health challenges.
disorders and affect sleep quality.
Before the pandemic, regular sleep schedules Surveys on loneliness associated with social isolation resulting from Batool-Anwar et al.
13
probably did not impact mental health. COVID-19 mitigation strategies during the pandemic highlighted a
substantial impact on sleep duration. Interventions aimed at enhancing
mental health could potentially lead to improvements in sleep health.
14
Individuals were already experiencing acute Results demonstrate that the SARS pandemic, including COVID-19, Dai et al.
psychological stress before the pandemic, similarly affected people’s mental health, leading to negative emotions
suggesting that stress and lifestyle changes such as fear, loneliness, and annoyance.
were adversely impacting mental health.
15
- Sleep health is linked to physical and mental health outcomes and quality Alzueta et al.
of life in community populations both before and during the COVID-19
pandemic. However, currently, there is a lack of data on the long-term
consequences of COVID-19 on sleep health. Consequently, poor sleep
health following COVID-19 may have severe long-term consequences for
both mental and physical health.
Poor sleep quality and increased arousal levels Younger adults reported greater concerns and severity of insomnia during Gorgoni et al.
16
have been commonly linked to mental health the pandemic, with a higher risk of psychological distress, anxiety, and
issues such as anxiety and depression. This depression, as well as more frequent and intense dreams and nightmares.
is consistent with previous research linking
stress, depression, and sleep problems to
mental health disorders.
‑ Preliminary evidence indicates the prevalence of high depression Yuksel et al.
17
and anxiety levels during COVID-19, with poorer sleep quality likely
associated with these conditions. Current research suggests that sleep
disturbances during the pandemic increase anxiety, depression, and
suicidal behavior, thereby increasing the risk of long-term health effects.
This highlights the need for public health interventions.
‑ Across the behavioral change subgroups, the proportion of individuals Robillard et al.
18
who experienced a clinically significant increase in stress and depression
during the pre-outbreak period was significantly different from that
during the outbreak period.
19
‑ Research on chronic stress and new infectious diseases suggests that sleep Petrov et al.
and mental health consequences can have long-term effects that extend
beyond the immediate stressors, potentially leading to subclinical or poor
health outcomes. The findings, in conjunction with findings from other
studies, indicate that the sleep and psychological impact of this pandemic
could be significant, underscoring the necessity for rapid, coordinated
policy and program initiatives.
Abbreviation: PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder.

23
4.5. Post-COVID-19 impact well-being globally, given their crucial role in recovery. Post-
As the world moves beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19, long-term COVID arises as a persistent condition
evolving sleep patterns continue to significantly impact overall with symptoms lasting 1 – 3 months following infection. 24

Volume 4 Issue 1 (2025) 19 doi: 10.36922/an.4006