Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (773 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Satisfaction with the sleep experience, integrating aspects of sleep initiation, sleep maintenance, sleep quantity, and refreshment upon awakening.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Qualities, Sleep; Quality, Sleep; Sleep Qualities.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Sleep Hygiene
- See also
- Polysomnography
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 6,876 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Sleep Quality” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 6,876 of them (100.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2020 onward with 6,876 records.
Reviews account for 700 records (10.2%) and meta-analyses for 390. Randomized controlled trials number 870 (12.7%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up a comparatively large share of this literature, which means many treatment questions have been tested directly.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 6 |
| 2020 onward | 6,876 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 700 | 10.2% |
| Meta-analyses | 390 | 5.7% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 870 | 12.7% |
Method: PubMed query "Sleep Quality"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in psychiatry and psychology
Research on mental health and behaviour relies on questionnaires, interviews and rating scales rather than physical measurements, so how a condition was defined and measured shapes every result. Many studies are observational or small, placebo responses can be large, and findings in one group or culture may not carry over to another. Nothing on this page is advice about diagnosis or treatment; anyone worried about their mental health should talk to a qualified clinician. Check how outcomes were measured, who took part and how long they were followed.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associations Between Night Shifts and Comorbid Depressive-Anxiety Symptoms Among Chinese Nurses: Indirect Associations via Sleep Quality and Duration | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 5 | cc by PMID 41756685 · DOI · PMC12932965 |
| Physical exercise programmes to improve insomnia or poor sleep quality in non-hospitalised elderly people: a systematic review and meta-analysis | 2026 | Meta-analysis Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 41727231 · DOI · PMC12919316 |
| Sleep Quality as a Predictor of Coronary Artery Disease Severity in Geriatric Acute Coronary Syndrome | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 41597387 · DOI · PMC12843712 |
Associations Between Night Shifts and Comorbid Depressive-Anxiety Symptoms Among Chinese Nurses: Indirect Associations via Sleep Quality and Duration [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectivesIrregular sleep, frequently resulting from night shifts, is associated with various mental health issues.
- Closing excerpt
- This study provides empirical evidence to inform nursing management practices and health workforce policy.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (283 words)
ObjectivesIrregular sleep, frequently resulting from night shifts, is associated with various mental health issues. However, the specific associations among these factors remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations of night shift frequency with depressive, anxiety, and comorbid depressive-anxiety symptoms and to estimate the indirect associations through sleep quality and sleep duration.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses in seven hospitals in Zhejiang Province in 2023. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect sociodemographic, work-related, lifestyle, and mental health information. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of night shift frequency, sleep duration, sleep quality, and mental health outcomes. Additionally, we used a mediation analysis to estimate indirect effects through sleep quality and sleep duration.ResultsA total of 2037 nurses were included in the study. Compared to low-frequency night shifts, high-frequency night shifts were significantly associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20-1.77), anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.06-1.58), and comorbid depressive-anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.09-1.65). The statistical indirect association via sleep quality accounted for 19.5%, 25.9%, and 19.0% of the total association for depressive, anxiety, and comorbid depressive-anxiety symptoms, respectively. The indirect effect through sleep duration was not statistically significant.ConclusionsIn this cross-sectional study, a higher frequency of night shifts was significantly associated with poorer mental health outcomes among Chinese nurses, with sleep quality serving as a statistical mediator. These findings suggest that optimizing shift scheduling, enhancing institutional support for sleep recovery, and integrating sleep quality monitoring into occupational health policies may be effective strategies to promote nurse well-being. This study provides empirical evidence to inform nursing management practices and health workforce policy.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41756685 · DOI · PMC12932965
Physical exercise programmes to improve insomnia or poor sleep quality in non-hospitalised elderly people: a systematic review and meta-analysis [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundInsomnia, or poor quality of sleep, among older people increasingly affects both physical and psychological health.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsThe findings support the implementation of physical activity programs as cost-effective, safe, and practical interventions to enhance sleep quality in community and healthcare settings.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (230 words)
BackgroundInsomnia, or poor quality of sleep, among older people increasingly affects both physical and psychological health. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of physical exercise programs for improving sleep quality in non-hospitalized older adults, via objective methods such as actigraphy and polysomnography.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted between January 1, 2025 and March 31, 2025 according to the standards of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guide. It has been registered in Prospero with the number CRD420251009838. The following databases were consulted: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete and Scopus. The studies included groups of participants with a mean age above 60 years, who presented with sleep problems, insomnia or an interest in improving sleep quality. To assess the quality of the studies, the Rob-2 tool for randomized studies and crossover studies and the critical appraisal of the Joanna Briggs Institute were used.ResultsSeven experimental or quasi-experimental studies with intervention groups and/or controls published in the last decade were analyzed. Interventions included aerobic exercise, resistance training, tai chi, and aquatic activities. The results demonstrated improvements in sleep latency, sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and wake time after sleep onset. Meta-analyses confirmed statistically significant benefits, particularly in terms of sleep latency and efficiency.ConclusionsThe findings support the implementation of physical activity programs as cost-effective, safe, and practical interventions to enhance sleep quality in community and healthcare settings.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41727231 · DOI · PMC12919316
Sleep Quality as a Predictor of Coronary Artery Disease Severity in Geriatric Acute Coronary Syndrome [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Background and Objectives: The conflicting findings in existing studies and insufficient evidence highlight the necessity for additional research on the relationship between sleep quality and coronary artery disease (CAD) in elderly acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.
- Closing excerpt
- This is a modifiable risk factor that can reduce morbidity and mortality in this high-risk group.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (260 words)
Background and Objectives: The conflicting findings in existing studies and insufficient evidence highlight the necessity for additional research on the relationship between sleep quality and coronary artery disease (CAD) in elderly acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. We aimed to investigate the association between sleep quality and the CAD severity of in geriatric patients with ACS. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study analyzed data from 308 patients aged 65 years and older admitted with ACS who had undergone coronary angiography between May 2022 and June 2025 at a tertiary cardiology department. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at the 6-month follow-up, with scores > 5 indicating poor quality. CAD severity was quantified by SYNTAX score from angiograms. The primary endpoint was the relationship between PSQI and SYNTAX score, with secondary analyses concerning factors associated with clinical outcomes. Results: Poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was associated with higher SYNTAX scores (p p p = 0.029), NT-proBNP (median 748.5 vs. 595, p = 0.034), lower glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.025), and higher hypertension prevalence (p = 0.034). ST-elevation myocardial infarction was more common in subjects with poor sleep. Multivariable logistic regression identified hypertension (p = 0.011), reduced ejection fraction (p = 0.030), STEMI (p = 0.045), intermediate SYNTAX (p = 0.003), and high SYNTAX (p = 0.009) as associated factors of poor sleep. Conclusions: Poor sleep quality is independently linked to greater CAD severity in geriatric ACS patients. This is a modifiable risk factor that can reduce morbidity and mortality in this high-risk group.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41597387 · DOI · PMC12843712
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Multidimensional Sleep Health: Definitions and Implications for Cardiometabolic Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association [4]
- Research article Physiological markers of sleep quality: A scoping review [5]
- Research article Associations between sleep variability and cardiometabolic health: A systematic review [6]
- Research article Diet Composition and Objectively Assessed Sleep Quality: A Narrative Review [7]
- Research article Biological rhythms and chronotherapeutics in depression [8]
- Research article The Role of Gut Microbiome in Sleep Quality and Health: Dietary Strategies for Microbiota Support [9]
Full-text reviews on EvidenceLib
Open-access review articles about this topic, reproduced in full with authors, licence and references.
Sleep Quality and Aging: A Systematic Review on Healthy Older People, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease
Maria Casagrande, Giuseppe Forte, Francesca Favieri et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022 · CC BY 4.0
Measuring Subjective Sleep Quality: A Review
Marco Fabbri, Alessia Beracci, Monica Martoni et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021 · CC BY 4.0
References
- Zhang C, Zhou J, Zhou Y, Zhu S, Sun W, Shan S, et al.. Associations Between Night Shifts and Comorbid Depressive-Anxiety Symptoms Among Chinese Nurses: Indirect Associations via Sleep Quality and Duration. . 2026. PMID 41756685 · DOI · PMC12932965
- De Paz-Montón LP, Carmona-Torres JM, López-Fernández-Roldán Á, Molina-Madueño RM, Navarrete-Tejero C, Laredo-Aguilera JA. Physical exercise programmes to improve insomnia or poor sleep quality in non-hospitalised elderly people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. . 2026. PMID 41727231 · DOI · PMC12919316
- Konte HC, Dervis E, Alyan O, Aras D. Sleep Quality as a Predictor of Coronary Artery Disease Severity in Geriatric Acute Coronary Syndrome. . 2026. PMID 41597387 · DOI · PMC12843712
- St-Onge MP, Aggarwal B, Fernandez-Mendoza J, Johnson D, Kline CE, Knutson KL, et al.. Multidimensional Sleep Health: Definitions and Implications for Cardiometabolic Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2025. PMID 40223596 · DOI · PMC12147655
- McCarter SJ, Hagen PT, St Louis EK, Rieck TM, Haider CR, Holmes DR, et al.. Physiological markers of sleep quality: A scoping review. Sleep Med Rev. 2022. PMID 35753151 · DOI
- Zhu B, Wang Y, Yuan J, Mu Y, Chen P, Srimoragot M, et al.. Associations between sleep variability and cardiometabolic health: A systematic review. Sleep Med Rev. 2022. PMID 36081237 · DOI
- Wilson K, St-Onge MP, Tasali E. Diet Composition and Objectively Assessed Sleep Quality: A Narrative Review. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2022. PMID 35063665 · DOI · PMC9124688
- Geoffroy PA, Palagini L. Biological rhythms and chronotherapeutics in depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021. PMID 33152388 · DOI
- Sejbuk M, Siebieszuk A, Witkowska AM. The Role of Gut Microbiome in Sleep Quality and Health: Dietary Strategies for Microbiota Support. Nutrients. 2024. PMID 39064702 · DOI · PMC11279861
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.