Associations of bedroom PM2.5, CO2, temperature, humidity, and noise with sleep: An observational actigraphy study

Impact of PM2.5, relative humidity, and temperature on sleep quality: a cross-sectional study in Taipei

INTRODUCTION

TWe investigated impacts of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), relative humidity (RH), and temperature on sleep stages and arousal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis involving 8,611 participants was conducted at a sleep center in Taipei. We estimated individual-level exposure to RH, temperature, and PM2.5 over 1-day, 7-day, and 30-day periods. Linear regression models assessed the relationship between these environmental factors and sleep parameters across different seasons. Mediation analysis was used to explore PM2.5, RH, and temperature roles in these relationships.

RESULTS

A 1% increase in RH over 1 and 7 days was associated with changes in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stages and increases in the arousal index across all seasons. A 1°C increase in temperature over similar periods led to increases in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During cold season, changes in RH and temperature were linked to variations in arousal and NREM sleep stages. In hot season, RH and temperature increases were correlated with changes in NREM sleep stages and arousal. Across all groups, a 1-μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 levels was associated with alterations in NREM and REM sleep stages and increases in the arousal index. We found PM2.5 levels mediated relationships between RH, temperature, and various sleep stages, particularly in cold season.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower RH and temperature, contributing to deep sleep reduction and increased arousal, were influenced by elevated PM2.5 exposure, especially during colder months. Enhancing environmental quality and reducing PM2.5 levels may lead to improved sleep quality.

Exposure to high temperature and sleep in preadolescents from two European birth cohorts

INTRODUCTION

Hot temperatures disrupt sleep in adults, but the impact on younger populations, despite the essential role of sleep in their health and development, remain underexplored.

AIM

We assessed the relationship between ambient nocturnal temperature and physiological sleep characteristics and self-reported daytime sleepiness in preadolescents from two European birth cohorts.

METHODS

We evaluated preadolescents from the Dutch Generation R Study (3,340 (mean age 13.5 years) and the Spanish INMA Project (587 (mean age 14.3 years)). Ambient nocturnal temperature at participants' residences was estimated with the UrbClim model at a 100x100m resolution. Physiological sleep characteristics (total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency) were measured with a wrist-accelerometer up to nine nights. Self-reported daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Paediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale or the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children. We ran linear mixed models for each physiological sleep characteristic and distributed lag models for daytime sleepiness.

RESULTS

Nocturnal temperatures ranged from -7.0-31.0 °C (Generation R) and 1.3-30.3 °C (INMA). In Generation R, higher nocturnal temperatures were associated with a shorter total sleep time (-3.7 min per 5 °C [95 % CI -5.4; -1.9]) and poorer sleep efficiency (-0.3 % per 5 °C [95 % CI -0.5; -0.1]), especially in warmer months and low socioeconomic status level neighbourhoods. No associations were found for physiological sleep characteristics in INMA or for daytime sleepiness scores in either cohort.

CONCLUSION

Warmer temperatures were associated with shortened sleep duration and poorer sleep efficiency in adolescents in the Netherlands, but not in Spain. These results suggest potential cross-country differences in the relationship between ambient temperature and adolescent sleep, though comparisons should be made cautiously due to differences in climate, acclimatization, population characteristics, and sample size. Climate change may worsen preadolescents sleep, underscoring the need for strategies to protect sleep and promote long-term health.

Considerations for the Use of Commercial Wearables to Assess Sleep and Rest-Activity Rhythms

Use of wearables, which can be considered as devices worn on the body that capture dimensions of health, are common in research. Wearables are useful as they can be employed in a number of environments for a variety of populations and can record over short or long time periods. Recent advancements in technology have significantly improved the accuracy of sensors and the algorithms used to interpret their data. Commercial wearables, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and smart rings have seen parallel advancements. Perhaps the most common application of wearables in research is for the assessment of sleep and rest-activity rhythms as most wearables include accelerometers, a sensor commonly used to infer sleep and activity from movement patterns. Commercial wearables are appealing for use in research due to their widespread use in the general population, real-time data syncing capabilities, affordability, and their user-friendly, consumer-oriented design and interfaces. There are, however, several important factors to consider when selecting a commercial wearable for use in research. These include device specifications (durability, price, unique features, etc.), data accessibility, and participant factors. Keeping these considerations in mind can assist in the collection of high-quality data that can ultimately be used to improve population outcomes. The purpose of this methodological review is to describe considerations for the use of commercially available wearables in research for the purposes of assessing sleep and rest-activity patterns.

Long-term exposure to ozone and sleep disorders in children: A multicity study in China

Evidence regarding the link between long-term ambient ozone (O3) exposure and childhood sleep disorders is little. This study aims to examine the associations between long-term exposure to O3 and sleep disorders in children. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey, including 185,428 children aged 6-18 years in 173 schools across 14 Chinese cities during 2012 and 2018. Parents or guardians completed a checklist using Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children, and O3 exposure at residential and school addresses was estimated using a satellite-based spatiotemporal model. We used generalized linear mixed models to test the associations with adjustment for factors including socio-demographic variables, lifestyle, meteorology and multiple pollutants. Mean concentrations of O3, particulate matter with diameters ≤2.5 mm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were 89.0 μg/m3, 42.5 μg/m3 and 34.4 μg/m3, respectively. O3 and NO2 concentrations were similar among provinces, while PM2.5 concentration varied significantly among provinces. Overall, 19.4% of children had at least one sleep disorder. Long-term exposure to O3 was positively associated with odds of sleep disorders for all subtypes. For example, each interquartile increment in home-school O3 concentrations was associated with a higher odds ratio for global sleep disorder, at 1.22 (95% confidence interval: 1.18, 1.26). Similar associations were observed for sleep disorder subtypes. The associations remained similar after adjustment for PM2.5 and NO2. Moreover, these associations were heterogeneous regionally, with more prominent associations among children residing in southeast region than in northeast and northwest regions in China. We concluded that long-term exposure to O3 is positively associated with risks of childhood sleep disorders. These associations varied by geographical region of China.

A systematic review of ambient heat and sleep in a warming climate

Climate change is elevating nighttime and daytime temperatures worldwide, affecting a broad continuum of behavioral and health outcomes. Disturbed sleep is a plausible pathway linking rising ambient temperatures with several observed adverse human responses shown to increase during hot weather. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature investigating the relationship between ambient temperature and valid sleep outcomes measured in real-world settings, globally. We show that higher outdoor or indoor temperatures are generally associated with degraded sleep quality and quantity worldwide. The negative effect of heat persists across sleep measures, and is stronger during the hottest months and days, in vulnerable populations, and the warmest regions. Although we identify opportunities to strengthen the state of the science, limited evidence of fast sleep adaptation to heat suggests rising temperatures induced by climate change and urbanization pose a planetary threat to human sleep, and therefore health, performance, and wellbeing.

Greenspaces And Cardiovascular Health

Accumulating evidence suggests that living in areas of high surrounding greenness or even brief exposures to areas of high greenery is conducive to cardiovascular health, which may be related to the environmental, social, psychological, and physiological benefits of greenspaces. Recent data from multiple cross-sectional, longitudinal, and cohort studies suggest that living in areas of high surrounding greenness is associated with a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. High levels of neighborhood greenery have been linked also to a decrease in the burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors as reflected by lower rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Those who live in greener environments report better mental health and more frequent social interactions, which can benefit cardiovascular health as well. In this narrative review, we discuss evidence linking greenspaces to cardiovascular health as well as the potential mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of greenspaces, including the impact of vegetation on air, noise and light pollution, ambient temperature, physical activity, mental health, and biodiversity. We review literature on the beneficial effects of acute and chronic exposure to nature on cardiovascular disease risk factors, inflammation and immune function, and we highlight the potential cardiovascular effects of biogenic volatile organic compounds that are emitted by trees and shrubs. We identify current knowledge gaps in this area and underscore the need for additional population studies to understand more clearly and precisely the link between greenness and health. Such understanding is urgently needed to fully redeem the promise of greenspaces in preventing adverse environmental exposures, mitigating the effects of climate change, and creating healthier living environments.

Effect of Ward-Noise-Reduction Management on the Mental Health and Quality of Life of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the effect of ward-noise-reduction management on the mental health and quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

The medical records of 275 patients with inflammatory bowel disease admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2020 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Routine care was performed for such hospitalized patients from January 2020 to July 2021. Thus, 124 patients were enrolled in the control group. From August 2021 to January 2023, our hospital implemented ward-noise-reduction management for such inpatients, and 151 patients were included in the observation group. The Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), and the noise level at the time of admission and discharge were compared.

RESULTS

No significant difference in the State Anxiety Scale (S-AI), Trait Anxiety Scale (T-AI), and AIS and IBDQ scores at baseline existed between the two groups (P > 0.05). After nursing, the S-AI, T-AI, and AIS scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the IBDQ score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The noise level of the observation group was lower than that of the control group during hospitalization in maximum sound level and average intermediate (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The application of ward-noise-reduction management in the nursing of patients with inflammatory bowel disease can improve their negative mood, improve their sleep quality, and quality of life, and reduce the ward noise level in maximum sound level and average intermediate, which has high clinical value.