What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Sleep Deprivation (n=110). Intervention: Sleep deprivation vs. Well-rested (PSQI score ≤5). Primary outcome: Maximum change in diastolic blood pressure (ΔDBP) during cold pressor test (MD 6.72, 95% CI 5.86-7.58, p=<0.001).

June 16, 2026Cureus0 citationsOpen Access

Evaluation of Sympathetic Function and Anxiety Levels in Sleep-Deprived Subjects Compared to the Normal Population: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Sleep deprivation was associated with significantly greater sympathetic reactivity, evidenced by a higher maximum change in diastolic blood pressure during the cold pressor test compared to well-rested controls (10.92 vs 4.20 mmHg).

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate sympathetic function and anxiety levels in sleep-deprived individuals compared to a well-rested control group.

SSSanjay SJawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research BAB. ArunkumarKarpagam Academy of Higher Education KJKarthiga JVinayaka Missions Medical College and Hospitals

Key Result

Sleep deprivation was associated with significantly greater sympathetic reactivity, evidenced by a higher maximum change in diastolic blood pressure during the cold pressor test compared to well-rested controls (10.92 vs 4.20 mmHg).

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate sympathetic function and anxiety levels in sleep-deprived individuals compared to a well-rested control group.
Conducted a cross-sectional analytical study with 110 participants aged 18-40.
Divided participants into sleep-deprived (n=55) and well-rested (n=55) based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores.
Assessed sympathetic activity using cold pressor and isometric handgrip tests, with anxiety measured by the GAD-7 scale.
Sleep-deprived participants had a significantly higher basal heart rate (79.19 ± 4.23 bpm vs. 71.20 ± 4.30 bpm; p < 0.001).
Systolic blood pressure was higher in sleep-deprived individuals (125.11 ± 4.76 mmHg vs. 117.00 ± 3.93 mmHg; p < 0.001).
Anxiety scores were significantly elevated in the sleep-deprived group (13.50 vs. 4.00; p < 0.001).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=110)

Structured PICO

Does sleep deprivation increase sympathetic reactivity and anxiety levels in young adults?

Population

110 young adults aged 18-40 years, comprising medical students and security personnel, categorized into sleep-deprived and well-rested groups based on PSQI scores to assess sympathetic function and anxiety.

Exposure

Sleep deprivation (defined observationally as a PSQI score > 5)

Comparator

Well-rested controls (defined as a PSQI score ≤ 5)

Outcome

Maximum change in diastolic blood pressure (ΔDBP) during cold pressor and isometric handgrip tests, and anxiety measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scalesurrogate

Sleep deprivation in young adults is associated with significantly increased sympathetic reactivity and elevated anxiety levels, highlighting the importance of adequate sleep for cardiovascular and psychological health.

Main Result

Mean Difference: 6.72 (95% CI 5.86–7.58)

Absolute Event Rate: 10.92% vs 4.2%

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
Subjective reporting of sleep quality using PSQI carries an inherent risk of recall bias
Absence of objective sleep verification using actigraphy or polysomnography
Convenience sampling limits the generalizability of findings beyond the study population

Abstract

Background Sleep deprivation is associated with autonomic imbalance and psychological disturbances. This study aimed to evaluate sympathetic function and anxiety levels in sleep-deprived individuals compared with controls. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 110 participants aged 18-40 years, divided into sleep-deprived (n = 55) and well-rested (n = 55) groups based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores. Sympathetic activity was assessed using cold pressor and isometric handgrip tests, and anxiety was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Results Sleep-deprived participants demonstrated significantly higher basal heart rate (79.19 ± 4.23 vs. 71.20 ± 4.30 bpm), systolic blood pressure (125.11 ± 4.76 vs. 117.00 ± 3.93 mmHg), and diastolic blood pressure (79.50 ± 7.50 vs. 74.00 ± 7.00 mmHg; p < 0.001). Sympathetic reactivity was greater in the cold pressor test (10.92 ± 2.20 vs. 4.20 ± 2.34 mmHg; p < 0.001) and handgrip test (11.36 ± 2.53 vs. 3.94 ± 2.46 mmHg; p < 0.001) in the sleep-deprived group. Anxiety scores were also elevated (13.50 vs. 4.00; p < 0.001) in individuals with sleep deprivation compared with the well-rested group. Conclusion Sleep deprivation significantly increases sympathetic activity and anxiety, highlighting the importance of adequate sleep in preventing cardiovascular and psychological risks.

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