International research by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Brugmann Hospital’s Sleep Laboratory showed that the first lockdown had a negative impact on our sleep, including a tripling of the number of complaints of insomnia. To investigate whether this second lockdown also has an effect on our sleep and whether the lack of social and/or close physical contact with family, friends, etc can influence the onset or persistence of insomnia, the scientists are now starting a large-scale follow-up study. Participation is possible here.
The questionnaire examines, among other things, the respondents’ sleeping habits, the need for physical contact, mental wellbeing and family situation. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. The survey is available in Dutch and French.
“The results of the first survey showed that the lockdown in spring 2020 did change our sleeping habits, with an increase in insomnia, especially among women, workers in contact professions and Covid patients. Surprisingly, a small percentage of people also slept better in these conditions and the intensity of the complaints appeared to decrease with age. With this follow-up survey we hope to gain more insight into whether these sleep complaints persist, occur less or more frequently and what the impact is of the lack of social contact on our sleep,” says Prof Olivier Mairesse.