Factors Affecting Sleep Quality in Office Workers
Condition: Sleep; Work Related Stress; Musculoskeletal Pain; Physical Inactivity; Demographies, Family
MeSH terms: Musculoskeletal Pain; Occupational Stress
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      This study will focus on the relationship between pillow and mattress factors,
      musculoskeletal disorders and sleep quality in office workers. Sleep is vital to physical and
      mental health, and poor sleep can negatively affect cognitive function and workplace
      performance. Office workers, who often work in sedentary jobs, are particularly prone to
      sleep disorders. Recognizing the factors that contribute to poor sleep in this population is
      crucial for developing interventions to improve sleep quality.

      The study used a cross-sectional design and will collect data from an appropriate sample of
      office workers (Approximately 600 participants). Various variables will be assessed,
      including sociodemographic characteristics, sleep-related factors (to be measured using the
      Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), pillow characteristics, mattress-related factors,
      musculoskeletal symptoms, and physical activity levels (to be measured using the
      International Physical Activity Questionnaire).

      Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis will be performed to analyze the data
      and identify factors affecting sleep quality. Fixed fixes for potential confounders and
      modifiers. The study aims to identify specific components of the sleep environment related to
      sleep disorders.

      The findings of this study will contribute to the understanding of how pillow and mattress
      factors, along with other variables, affect sleep quality in office workers. The results may
      provide information for interventions aimed at improving sleep habits, optimizing the sleep
      environment, and improving overall well-being in this population. As a result, promoting good
      sleep health among office workers can have positive effects on productivity, safety and
      overall quality of life.
    

Detailed description: 
      INTRODUCTION

      Sleeping is an important part of human life, but there is still a lot of mystery surrounding
      the relationship between the brain and the process of sleeping. Recent research has concluded
      that sleeping has much more impact on the brain than previously thought, as it resets itself
      and removes toxic waste byproducts which may have accumulated throughout the day. Sleeping
      improves memory recall, helps regulate the metabolism in the body, and reduces mental
      fatigue. Chronic sleep loss is a serious concern, as it can be constrained by the lack of
      sleep.

      Sleep plays a critical role in physical health, regulating immune system functions and
      reducing the risk of infections. Poor sleep can weaken immune function, making individuals
      more susceptible to illnesses. Over the past decade, research has shown that disturbances of
      sleep, including insomnia complaints and extremes of sleep duration, adversely influence the
      risk of infectious and inflammatory disease and contribute to all-cause mortality. These
      findings have substantial public health implications, as 25% of the population report
      insomnia complaints and 10% meet diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia. Behavioral
      treatments have robust efficacy, with remission of insomnia sustained in the long term.
      Research on sleep and health has focused on the biological mechanisms underlying these
      effects, which could identify those at greatest risk for adverse health consequences or be
      targeted to attenuate or even prevent morbidity. Furthermore, sleep is intricately linked to
      physical health and vitality. It contributes to the restoration and repair of various bodily
      systems, including the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and metabolic systems. Sleep loss is
      a common condition in developed countries, with people sleeping on average 6.8 hours per
      night, 1.5 hours less than a century ago. Recent epidemiological studies have revealed
      relationships between sleep deprivation and hypertension, coronary heart disease, and
      diabetes mellitus. Sleep loss has been linked to hypertension, coronary heart disease, and
      diabetes mellitus.

      Office workers, who typically engage in sedentary work activities and spend a significant
      portion of their day in indoor environments, are particularly prone to sleep disturbances.
      Sedentary behavior is becoming an important risk factor for poor health and mortality.
      Population research has found that as sitting or television viewing time increases, there is
      an increased cardiometabolic risk, independent of moderate/vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
      High accelerometer-determined sedentary time has been linked to metabolic and cardiovascular
      risk factors in healthy adults, and prolonged or uninterrupted sedentary time has been found
      to be a risk factor for poor health. With the evolution of the "technology age", sedentary
      time is reported to be increasing due to the shift towards reduced MVPA required in
      occupations traditionally requiring MVPA and the increasing percentage of office workers
      employed in low-activity occupations. While sedentary office workers may be less exposed to
      many of the hazards associated with more physically demanding occupations, they may gain less
      of the beneficial MVPA and be exposed to more of the potentially detrimental prolonged and
      uninterrupted sedentary behavior.

      Office workers who have sleep issues may face significant effects on their daily functioning
      and general quality of life. Insufficient or poor quality sleep can affect cognitive
      function, including the ability to pay attention, concentrate, solve problems, and make
      decisions. This can lower productivity, increase errors and accidents, and decrease job
      performance and satisfaction. Furthermore, it can have a significant impact on mental health,
      including an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and emotional instability. Sleep habits
      and workplace behaviors have a significant impact on employee performance, safety, and
      health, as well as organizational-level success. It is important to understand how sleep
      habits and sleepiness impact workers and the organization and to emphasize the impact of good
      sleep on productivity and safety.

      Recognizing the importance of sleep and the unique challenges that office employees encounter
      is critical for resolving sleep disorders in this demographic. Understanding the factors that
      contribute to poor sleep quality among office employees allows for the development of
      interventions that encourage good sleep habits, optimize the sleep environment, and improve
      overall well-being. Education on sleep hygiene, promotion of physical exercise and mobility
      breaks during the workday, ergonomic workstations, and improved lighting conditions in office
      environments are some of the targeted measures. Office workers can improve their cognitive
      functioning, physical health, and general quality of life by emphasizing sleep health. Sleep
      problems are linked to accidents, productivity losses, and increased healthcare utilization,
      resulting in $15 billion in healthcare costs each year 15. Poor quality sleep can lead to
      accidents, productivity losses, and increased healthcare utilization.

      Sleep disturbances are widespread among office workers, and recognizing the factors that
      contribute to these disturbances is critical for devising effective therapies to improve
      sleep quality in this population. The sleep environment, including pillow and mattress
      features, has a major impact on sleep quality.

      Pillows and mattresses are important sleep environment components that have a direct impact
      on sleep posture, comfort, and spinal alignment. The selection of an appropriate pillow and
      mattress is critical for supporting the natural curvature of the spine and ensuring optimal
      comfort when sleeping. Inadequate pillow and mattress qualities can cause discomfort, pain,
      and sleep disruptions. Mattress firmness plays a leading role in reducing pain in individuals
      complaining of back pain. Companies are promoting mattresses with therapeutic properties, but
      this is not supported by sufficient evidence.

      The height of a pillow is an important aspect that influences head and neck alignment during
      sleeping. Increasing the pillow height dramatically raises the cranial and cervical mean and
      peak pressures, as well as the extension and lordosis of the cervical spine. An incorrect
      pillow height can cause incorrect cervical spine posture, producing tension in the neck
      muscles and contributing to sleep-related neck pain. Similarly, the pillow's hardness or
      firmness can affect the support supplied to the head and neck. A pillow that is overly soft
      or too firm may not give enough support, causing pain and disrupting sleep.

      Another important feature of pillows and mattresses is ergonomic support. Ergonomic pillows
      are designed to give ideal head, neck, and spine support and alignment, reducing the risk of
      musculoskeletal discomfort and promoting improved sleep posture. Mattresses that possess
      suitable firmness and support aid in maintaining spinal alignment and distributing pressure,
      thereby promoting a more comfortable and restorative sleep. Studies have indicated that
      individuals who utilize pillows and mattresses with inadequate features are at a higher risk
      of encountering discomfort, pain, and disruptions in their sleep patterns. The sleep quality
      of office workers can be enhanced by choosing pillows and mattresses that provide adequate
      support and comfort. This holds particular significance owing to the considerable duration of
      time spent in office environments, where sedentary behaviors prevail. Comprehending the
      influence of the aforementioned factors and enhancing the sleep environment can facilitate
      the advancement of superior sleep and holistic welfare.

      The present research aims to examine the relationship between various pillow and mattress
      factors, musculoskeletal discomfort, and sleep quality in individuals working in office
      environments. By conducting an examination of various variables including pillow
      characteristics, sleep-related factors, musculoskeletal symptoms, physical activity level,
      and mattress-related factors, the research can identify the particular components of the
      sleeping environment that are most relevant to disturbances.

      METHODS Study Design and Participants The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to look
      at the variables influencing office workers' sleep quality. Participants were gathered using
      a convenience sample technique from diverse workplace environments. To establish the ideal
      sample size, a power analysis was performed using G*Power software. The statistical test of
      choice was multiple regression analysis, and the computation used an effect size of f2 =
      0.15. The power analysis showed that a minimum sample size of 400 participants would be
      needed to detect the indicated effect size with a significance level (alpha) of 0.05 and a
      target power (1 - β) of 0.80.

      Data Collection Self-report questionnaires and objective assessments were combined to acquire
      the data. An extensive questionnaire including sociodemographic details and sleep-related
      questions was given to participants.

      Sociodemographic Characteristics The study documented the sociodemographic attributes of the
      participants, encompassing variables such as age, gender, height, weight, educational
      attainment, marital status, occupation, daily working hours, and professional experience. The
      data pertaining to the variables in question were obtained through employment of a structured
      questionnaire.

      Sleep-Related Variables The dependent variable will utilize to evaluate the quality of sleep
      was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI is a frequently employed
      self-administered survey that assesses diverse dimensions of sleep quality and disruptions
      within a duration of one month. Superior scores are indicative of inferior quality of sleep.
      The PSQI was administered to the participants in order to obtain a comprehensive evaluation
      of their sleep quality.

      Pillow Characteristics The study will evaluate various pillow-related variables of the
      participants, such as pillow height, pillow firmness, pillow composition (e.g., feather,
      memory foam), and pillow ergonomics. The variables were acquired via self-report inquiries,
      enabling participants to furnish details regarding their individual pillow predilections.

      Mattress-Related Factors. Variables for mattresses include the type of mattress, such as
      spring or sponge, the firmness level and the degree of comfort. Participants will provide
      self-reported data on the above-mentioned variables to assess their personal perceptions of
      mattress-related factors that could potentially affect their sleep quality.

      Musculoskeletal Symptoms The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire will be used to collect
      data on pain experienced by individuals. Specifically, the survey documents the occurrence of
      pain at nine different sites over the previous 12 months. Additionally, if there is pain, a
      rating of 1 to 10 is given.

      Physical Activity Level:

      Researchers will use the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess the
      physical activity levels of study participants. The International Physical Activity
      Questionnaire (IPAQ) is a reliable and valid tool used to assess the frequency, duration and
      intensity of physical activity in different areas such as work, leisure and transportation.
      These data will facilitate capturing the potential impact of physical activity on sleep
      quality.
    

Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Office workers from diverse workplace environments, aged 18 years and above, with a minimum
        employment duration or professional experience, who are willing to participate in the study
        and able to understand and complete the self-report questionnaires accurately.
      
Keywords: Sleep quality; Office workers; Sleep environment; Physical activity; Sociodemographic factors