Study Shows How Sleep Affects Work for Those With Neurological Conditions

In a recent investigation, researchers uncovered the impact of sleep on work productivity in individuals with neurological conditions. While past studies have shown the connection between poor sleep and job performance, this research dives deeper into the experience of this specific population that had not yet been studied.

The subjective assessment of sleep quality emerged as the most crucial factor affecting individuals' ability to perform in a work setting.

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To amend this gap, the study sought to explore the associations between sleep health and work productivity in individuals with neurological conditions, utilizing a combination of objective and subjective measures. Published in the Journal of Sleep Research, the results highlight the importance of both sleep timing and quality, emphasizing that self-reported sleep quality plays a major role in affecting productivity.

The researchers employed actigraphy data collected over a week, coupled with sleep questionnaires, to assess various domains of sleep health. Work productivity was evaluated using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, were conducted to compare sleep health scores among demographic variables. Linear regression models were used to investigate the associations between sleep health domains and work productivity.

Demographic factors like sex, smoking status, education level, and employment status did not significantly affect sleep health or work productivity domains. However, nonoptimal sleep timing was associated with a notable increase in absenteeism (22.99%), and nonoptimal sleep quality correlated with elevated rates of presenteeism (30.85%), work productivity loss (26.44%), and activity impairment (25.81%).

Researchers highlighted the key influence of self-reported sleep quality on work productivity within this population. The subjective assessment of sleep quality emerged as the most crucial factor affecting individuals' ability to perform in a work setting, according to the study.

In light of these findings, the study suggests that improving sleep quality, whether through triage for potential sleep disorders or enhancements to sleep hygiene (addressing behavior and the environment), may positively impact work productivity in individuals with neurological conditions. Recognizing and addressing specific sleep-related challenges can pave the way for targeted strategies to optimize both sleep quality and workplace outcomes in this population.

While offering valuable insights, this study had limitations. The inclusion of diverse neurological conditions in the sample introduces heterogeneity, cautioning against generalizing findings to specific conditions. The cross-sectional design limits establishing causation or capturing temporal changes. Additionally, the small number of employed participants (n = 35) reduces statistical power, emphasizing the need for larger samples in future studies. Despite these limitations, this study marks the first exploration of the sleep health and work productivity relationship within the neurological community, laying the groundwork for more refined research in this underexplored area.

The findings underscore the importance of addressing sleep quality in the care of individuals with neurological conditions to improve work productivity. Researchers recommended implementing strategies for identifying and managing potential sleep disorders, as well as enhancing sleep hygiene practices related to behavior and environment.

“The findings are particularly relevant given the number of individuals in Australia who are living with a neurological condition and the impact that impaired work productivity, such as absenteeism and presenteeism, could have on the economy,” they wrote. “Further research with larger numbers is needed to confirm and build upon the present findings. Greater emphasis on sleep quality and timing should be given for individuals with a neurological condition to optimize their work productivity.”

Reference

Turner M, Laws M, Griffiths M, et al. The relationships between multidimensional sleep health and work productivity in individuals with neurological conditions. J Sleep Res. Published online December 9, 2023. doi:10.1111/jsr.14107