Polysomnographically measured sleep abnormalities in PTSD: A meta-analytic review.

Polysomnographically measured sleep abnormalities in PTSD: A meta-analytic review.

Kobayashi Ihori; Boarts Jessica M; Delahanty Douglas L

Psychophysiology

2007

2007-07

Although sleep complaints are common among patients with Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), polysomnographic studies examining sleep abnormalities in PTSD have produced inconsistent results. To clarify discrepant findings, we conducted a meta-analytic review of 20 polysomnographic studies comparing sleep in people with and without PTSD. Results showed that PTSD patients had more stage 1 sleep, less slow wave sleep, and greater rapid-eye-movement density compared to people without PTSD. We also conducted exploratory analyses aimed at examining potential moderating variables (age, sex, and comorbid depression and substance use disorders). Overall, studies with a greater proportion of male participants or a low rate of comorbid depression tended to find more PTSD-related sleep disturbances. These findings suggest that sleep abnormalities exist in PTSD, and that some of the inconsistencies in prior findings may be explained by moderating variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUBSTANCE abuse; MENTAL depression; POST-traumatic stress disorder; RAPID eye movement sleep; SLEEP disorders; SLEEP stages; SLOW wave sleep

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660–669

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