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Nightmares are often associated with psychiatric disorders and acute stress. This study explores how the COVID‐19 pandemic may have influenced the content of nightmares. A sample of N = 419 US adults completed online surveys about sleep and COVID‐19 experiences. Participants were asked about the degree to which they agreed with statements linking greater general stress, worse overall sleep and more middle‐of‐the‐night insomnia with the COVID‐19 pandemic. They were also asked if, during the pandemic, they experienced nightmares related to various themes. Logistic regression analyses examined each nightmare content as outcome and increased stress, worse sleep and more middle‐of‐the‐night insomnia as predictors, adjusted for age, sex and race/ethnicity. Those who reported greater general COVID‐related stress were more likely to have nightmares about confinement, failure, helplessness, anxiety, war, separation, totalitarianism, sickness, death, COVID and an apocalypse. Those who reported worsened sleep were more likely to have nightmares about confinement, oppression, failure, helplessness, disaster, anxiety, evil forces, war, domestic abuse, separation, totalitarianism, sickness, death, COVID and an apocalypse. Those who reported worsened middle‐of‐the‐night insomnia were more likely to have nightmares about confinement, oppression, failure, helplessness, disaster, anxiety, war, domestic abuse, separation, totalitarianism, sickness, death, COVID and an apocalypse. These results suggest that increased pandemic‐related stress may induce negatively‐toned dreams of specific themes. Future investigation might determine whether (and when) this symptom indicates an emotion regulation mechanism at play, or the failure of such a mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Female menstrual health and its relationship with sleep is an understudied subject. The aim of this investigation was to determine the association between the two in a community sample. Data were obtained from n = 579 menstruating females who participated in the Sleep and Health Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization (SHADES) study, a community‐based sample of adults aged 22–60 years. Participants were asked, "How regular is your period?", with response choices of "very regular", "mostly regular", "fairly regular" and "not regular". They were also asked, "How much bleeding do you usually experience during your period?" Response choices were: "very heavy", "heavy", "medium", "light" or "very light". These were evaluated as ordinal outcomes. Sleep‐related predictors included sleep duration (in hr; ≤ 6 [short], 7–9 [normal] and ≥ 9 [long]), Insomnia Severity Index score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score and Fatigue Severity Scale score. Covariates included age, education, income, race/ethnicity and body mass index. Short sleep duration was associated with heavier bleeding (odds ratio = 1.46, p = 0.026) and greater cycle irregularity (odds ratio = 1.44, p = 0.031) as compared with normal sleep. Higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was associated with greater cycle irregularity (odds ratio = 1.05, p = 0.022). Higher Fatigue Severity Scale score was associated with heavier bleeding (odds ratio = 1.02, p = 0.003) and greater cycle irregularity (odds ratio = 1.02, p = 0.008). Long sleep, Insomnia Severity Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were not associated with either outcome. These results demonstrate an association between short sleep duration, poor sleep quality, fatigue, stress and depression with heavier bleeding and menstrual cycle irregularity, highlighting the need for further studies to improve treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objectives: Near-infrared light exhibits several therapeutic properties, but little is known about the benefits to sleep and daytime function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of red and near-infrared exposure before bed on sleep and next-day function., Methods: Thirty adults (30-60 y) with a self-reported sleep complaint but without a sleep disorder participated in a randomized, sham-controlled study for a duration of 5 weeks. After a 2-week baseline period, participants wore either a cervical red light/near-infrared-emitting collar (combined: 660 nm, 740 nm, 810 nm, and 870 nm) or sham device every other night before bed for 3 weeks. Sleep was measured using actigraphy and sleep diaries. Mood and performance were assessed using weekly self-reported surveys and debrief interviews., Results: Objective sleep parameters, as measured by actigraphy, did not differ between the active or sham groups, but improved self-reported sleep, as well as perceived improvements in relaxation and mood, were observed among active but not sham users. Both active and sham users improved in Insomnia Severity Index score by the end of the trial., Conclusions: Red and near-infrared exposure to the head and neck before bed may offer potential therapeutic benefits to sleep and daytime function, but further work needs to be done to determine optimal dose parameters, wavelengths, and milliwatt power level., Clinical Trial Registration: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Phase II Study-Trial of a Phototherapy Light Device to Improve Sleep Health (PHOTONS); URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05116358; Identifier: NCT05116358., Citation: Kennedy KER, Wills CCA, Holt C, Grandner MA. A randomized, sham-controlled trial of a novel near-infrared phototherapy device on sleep and daytime function. J Clin Sleep Med . 2023;19(9):1669-1675., (© 2023 American Academy of Sleep Medicine.)