Sleep characteristic scores can predict response latency on a simple reaction time task

Abstract

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is the most prevalent subjective sleep measurement tool in the literature as it assesses multiple sleep characteristics. It differentiates between "poor" (? 6) and "good" (< 6) sleep by measuring seven domains: sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction over the last month. Inadequate sleep contributes to impaired cognition and slower reaction time (RT). In a large sample (n = 50), we investigated whether individual PSQI scores could predict RT. RTs were assessed using a simple RT task paradigm that involved a ballistic wrist extension in response to an auditory stimulus. Results from a linear regression showed a significant positive relationship between the PSQI global score, sex, and RT. The constant was 123 ms, the slope coefficient was 5 ms per PSQI point, and 22 ms was subtracted for male participants. The R2 value was 0.19, indicating that 19% of the variation in RT can be explained by the model. Additionally, sleep duration alone was not significantly correlated with RT. Therefore, it may be important to consider multiple sleep characteristics when it comes to the relationship between inadequate sleep and slower RTs.

Acknowledgments: Supported by NSERC and the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation and Science