JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients have increased sleep disturbances and decreased sleep quality during and after the infection. Current published literature suggests qualitative analyses based on surveys and subjective measurements.

Objective:

We assess the long-term effects of COVID-19 through sleep patterns from continuous signals collected via wearable devices.

Methods:

Patients with a history of COVID-19 were compared to a control arm of non-COVID-19 individuals. Baseline demographics were calculated for each subject. Pearson’s correlations amongst the mean duration of each sleep phase and the mean daily biometrics were performed. The average duration for each subject’s total sleep time and sleep phases per night were calculated and compared between the two groups.

Results:

The study includes 131 COVID-19 patients and 590 controls. Total sleep time was positively correlated with respiratory rate (RR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2). Increased awake sleep phase was correlated with increased heart rate (HR), decreased RR, heart rate variability (HRV), and SpO2. Increased light sleep time was correlated with increased RR and SpO2 in COVID-19 group. Deep sleep duration was correlated with decreased HR, and increased RR and SpO2. When comparing different sleep phases, long COVID-19 subjects had decreased light sleep time (244±67 vs 258±67, P=.003), and decreased deep sleep (123±66 vs 128±58, P =.02).

Conclusions:

Regardless of the demographic background and symptom levels, participants with histories of COVID-19 demonstrated altered sleep architecture when compared to matched controls. Sleep of COVID-19 patients was characterized by decreased light sleep, and deep sleep.