Effects Of Lockdown On Sleep Pattern In The General Population During Covid-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: COVID-19 Pandemic hit India in January 2020. In order to curb the spread of the virus, a nationwide lockdown was instated on March 24(th). The lockdown has had an adverse psychological impact on the general population. Sleep is essential because of its many benefits for mental and physical health. Lack of sleep can impair both mental and physical functioning like decision making, mood changes, anxiety symptoms, jeopardize immune response, increase accidents and increase medical expenditures. The current study was aimed at assessing the sleep patterns during the pandemic in the general public. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a cross sectional, observational descriptive survey study conducted through social media platforms. Socio demographic data such age, gender, marital status, etc along with sleep schedules, working routine was assessed using a semi structured proforma. Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Patient Health Questionnaire- 4 (PHQ-4) were tools used to assess insomnia; depression and anxiety respectively. RESULT: A total of 124 subjects were included in the study. Sleep patterns revealed a delay in routine bed times, with a reduction in sleep quality and increase in total sleep duration. Moderate to severe insomnia was seen in 9% of patients and 29% had subthreshold insomnia. Anxiety was found in 19% and 22% had depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Lockdown due to the COVID 19 pandemic was associated with changes in sleep pattern, quantity and quality of night-time sleep and had also led to manifestation of emotional symptoms in the general population.