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Abstract
Background and Objectives There has been conflicting evidence regarding the association between seasonal changes and daylight saving time (DST) and sleep disorders. This topic is of particular interest currently because the United States and Canada are considering the elimination of seasonal clock changes. The aim of this study was to compare sleep symptoms among participants who were interviewed in different seasons and before/after the transition into DST and standard time (ST).
Methods A total of 30,097 people aged 45–85 years taking part in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging were studied. Participants completed a questionnaire on sleep duration, satisfaction, sleep-onset insomnia, sleep-maintenance insomnia, and hypersomnolence symptoms. Sleep disorders were compared between participants who were interviewed during different seasons and at different times of the year (DST/ST). Data were analyzed using χ2, analysis of variance, binary logistic, and linear regression tests.
Results Among participants interviewed in different seasons, we found no difference in dissatisfaction with sleep, sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and hypersomnolence. Those interviewed in summer had slightly shorter sleep duration compared with those in winter (6.76 ± 1.2 vs 6.84 ± 1.3 hours). Participants interviewed 1 week before vs 1 week after DST transition showed no difference in sleep symptoms, except for a 9-minute decrease in sleep duration a week after transition. However, those who were interviewed a week after transition to ST compared with a week before reported more dissatisfaction with sleep (28% vs 22.6%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.34, 95% CI 1.02–1.76), higher sleep-onset insomnia (7.1% vs 3.3%, aOR 2.26, 95% CI 1.19–4.27), higher sleep-maintenance insomnia (12.9% vs 8.2%, aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.02–2.66), and more hypersomnolence with adequate sleep (7.3% vs 3.6%, aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.14–3.79).
Discussion We found small seasonal variations in sleep duration but no difference in other sleep symptoms. The transition from DST to ST was associated with a transient increase in sleep disorders.
Glossary
- aOR=
- adjusted odds ratio;
- CLSA=
- Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging;
- DST=
- daylight saving time;
- ST=
- standard time
Footnotes
Go to Neurology.org/N for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of the article.
Submitted and externally peer reviewed. The handling editor was Associate Editor Barbara Jobst, MD, PhD, FAAN.
Infographic links.lww.com/WNL/C863
CME Course: NPub.org/cmelist
- Received September 30, 2022.
- Accepted in final form March 9, 2023.
- © 2023 American Academy of Neurology
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