Cognitive function, sleep characteristics and their relationship in older adults with insomnia and anxiety

Abstract

Abstract To analyze cognitive function, sleep characteristics and the relationship in older adults with insomnia and anxiety. A total of 99 participants were included in this study, including 50 patients with simple insomnia and 49 patients with insomnia combined with anxiety. General demographic information was collected and the degree of cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (Moca) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale (PSQI). All patients were monitored by polysomnography, and polysomnography monitoring parameters were collected. General demographic data, Moca, PSQI and polysomnography monitoring indicators were compared between the two groups. The correlation between cognitive scores and polysomnography monitoring parameters of patients with insomnia and anxiety was analyzed. There was no significant difference in the general demographic information between the two groups (P > 0.05). The total MoCA score and MoCA memory score of patients with insomnia accompanied by anxiety were significantly lower than those with insomnia alone, while their PSQI scores were significantly higher. The wake time after sleep (WASO) monitored by polysomnography was significantly longer than that in patients with simple insomnia disorder, and the duration of N3 and N3% were significantly shorter than that in patients with simple sleep disorder, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Executive function was positively correlated with N3 duration and N3%, naming function was negatively correlated with N1 duration and N1%, and memory was negatively correlated with wake time after sleep (WASO) in insomnia patients with anxiety, (P < 0.05). Cognitive function and polysomnography sleep were worse in older adults with insomnia and anxiety. Decreased N3 sleep, increased N1 sleep, and increased WASO may be potential biological markers of cognitive decline in older adults with insomnia and anxiety.

Keywords

• Insomnia
• Cognitive function
• Polysomnography
• Anxiety
• Older adults
• Case-control study