Poor sleep the night before an experimental stress task is associated with reduced cortisol reactivity in healthy women

Caroline E. Wright; Heiddis B. Valdimarsdottir; Joel Erblich; Dana H. Bovbjerg

doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.08.003

Poor sleep the night before an experimental stress task is associated with reduced cortisol reactivity in healthy women

Caroline E. Wright
, Heiddis B. Valdimarsdottir
, Joel Erblich
, Dana H. Bovbjerg

Department of Psychology

Reykjavik University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Sleep disruption is a growing problem that may have serious health effects. As stress-induced increases in cortisol are thought to be a key adaptive process it is important to examine how this response is affected by sleep. The current study investigated the association of four sleep parameters (objective/subjectively measured sleep quality and quantity) and subsequent salivary cortisol reactivity (maximal change from baseline) to an experimental stressor in 53 healthy women. Objective actigraphy monitoring and self-report diaries were used to assess sleep. Results revealed that individuals with lower objective sleep quality (wake percentage during sleep) had a blunted response to the experimental stressor. No associations were found between cortisol reactivity and actigraphy-derived sleep quantity, or either of the self-reported sleep variables. Results are discussed with regard to the possible adverse health effects that may result from poor sleep quality and a blunted cortisol response to stress.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	319-327
Number of pages	9
Journal	Biological Psychology
Volume	74
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.08.003
Publication status	Published - Mar 2007

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: This study was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute (CA72457) and the Department of Defense (DAMD17-99-1-9303). We are required to indicate that the content of the information contained in this report does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Defense. The authors would like to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Suzy Blumenthal, MPH, as study coordinator; Jodi Siskind, MPH, and Liya Aklilu, MPH, for their assistance with the actigraphy data; Karen Matseone, Kristie Greene, and Katie Kupfer for their assistance with the experimental procedures; Amy Lunding for her assistance with the cortisol assessments. We would also like to thank the study participants for their contribution of time and effort to the research.

Other keywords

Actigraphy
Cortisol reactivity
HPA axis
Sleep
Stress
Stroop task
Wake

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10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.08.003

Cite this

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title = "Poor sleep the night before an experimental stress task is associated with reduced cortisol reactivity in healthy women",

abstract = "Sleep disruption is a growing problem that may have serious health effects. As stress-induced increases in cortisol are thought to be a key adaptive process it is important to examine how this response is affected by sleep. The current study investigated the association of four sleep parameters (objective/subjectively measured sleep quality and quantity) and subsequent salivary cortisol reactivity (maximal change from baseline) to an experimental stressor in 53 healthy women. Objective actigraphy monitoring and self-report diaries were used to assess sleep. Results revealed that individuals with lower objective sleep quality (wake percentage during sleep) had a blunted response to the experimental stressor. No associations were found between cortisol reactivity and actigraphy-derived sleep quantity, or either of the self-reported sleep variables. Results are discussed with regard to the possible adverse health effects that may result from poor sleep quality and a blunted cortisol response to stress.",

keywords = "Actigraphy, Cortisol reactivity, HPA axis, Sleep, Stress, Stroop task, Wake",

author = "Wright, \{Caroline E.\} and Valdimarsdottir, \{Heiddis B.\} and Joel Erblich and Bovbjerg, \{Dana H.\}",

note = "Funding Information: This study was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute (CA72457) and the Department of Defense (DAMD17-99-1-9303). We are required to indicate that the content of the information contained in this report does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Defense. The authors would like to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Suzy Blumenthal, MPH, as study coordinator; Jodi Siskind, MPH, and Liya Aklilu, MPH, for their assistance with the actigraphy data; Karen Matseone, Kristie Greene, and Katie Kupfer for their assistance with the experimental procedures; Amy Lunding for her assistance with the cortisol assessments. We would also like to thank the study participants for their contribution of time and effort to the research.",

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AU - Bovbjerg, Dana H.

N1 - Funding Information: This study was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute (CA72457) and the Department of Defense (DAMD17-99-1-9303). We are required to indicate that the content of the information contained in this report does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Defense. The authors would like to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Suzy Blumenthal, MPH, as study coordinator; Jodi Siskind, MPH, and Liya Aklilu, MPH, for their assistance with the actigraphy data; Karen Matseone, Kristie Greene, and Katie Kupfer for their assistance with the experimental procedures; Amy Lunding for her assistance with the cortisol assessments. We would also like to thank the study participants for their contribution of time and effort to the research.

PY - 2007/3

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AB - Sleep disruption is a growing problem that may have serious health effects. As stress-induced increases in cortisol are thought to be a key adaptive process it is important to examine how this response is affected by sleep. The current study investigated the association of four sleep parameters (objective/subjectively measured sleep quality and quantity) and subsequent salivary cortisol reactivity (maximal change from baseline) to an experimental stressor in 53 healthy women. Objective actigraphy monitoring and self-report diaries were used to assess sleep. Results revealed that individuals with lower objective sleep quality (wake percentage during sleep) had a blunted response to the experimental stressor. No associations were found between cortisol reactivity and actigraphy-derived sleep quantity, or either of the self-reported sleep variables. Results are discussed with regard to the possible adverse health effects that may result from poor sleep quality and a blunted cortisol response to stress.

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Poor sleep the night before an experimental stress task is associated with reduced cortisol reactivity in healthy women

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Other keywords

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