About two and a half years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients report new symptoms associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome, including sleep disturbances. This trend has been noted in scientific publications that summarize observed patterns of sleep problems among recovered patients.
A research team from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom examined how sleep disturbances presented in COVID-19 patients during their hospital stay, tracking those who were within two to seven months after infection as well as those observed at 10 to 14 months post illness.
A total of 638 participants took part in the observational study. Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which assesses sleep quality, depth, and duration, along with levels of anxiety, fatigue, sleepiness, and mood, researchers found that about 62% of individuals reported sleep-related difficulties. The study further noted that patients who recovered from the virus tended to sleep roughly 65 minutes longer on average, yet they showed a lower resting efficiency and a reduced overall sleep efficiency by about 3.83 percentage points. In short, the virus appears to alter physiological sleep processes, leading to longer but less efficient sleep on an hourly basis.
Shortness of breath emerged as a widely reported symptom that disrupts sleep quality, reinforcing the link between post-COVID syndrome and sleep disruption. In addition, researchers observed elevated rates of anxiety and muscle weakness among former COVID-19 hospital patients, with approximately 18% to 39% experiencing anxiety and 27% to 41% reporting muscle weakness. On average, about one in three studied individuals faced these challenges, highlighting a substantial impact on rest and daytime functioning. [Citation: Lancet Respir Med]
The authors emphasized that these findings can inform future rehabilitation strategies for COVID-19 survivors and contribute to a deeper understanding of post-COVID syndrome symptoms. This knowledge supports clinicians and program designers in Canada and the United States as they tailor recovery plans, monitor sleep health, and address related factors such as breathing difficulties, anxiety, and physical deconditioning to improve overall recovery outcomes. [Citation: Lancet Respir Med]