Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Blood Glucose, Food Cravings, and Affect in a Non-Diabetic: An N-of-1 Randomized Pilot Study

Abstract

Sleep deprivation is a prevalent and rising health concern, one with known effects on blood glucose (BG) levels, mood, and calorie consumption. However, the mechanisms by which sleep deprivation affects calorie consumption (e.g., measured via self-reported types of craved food) are unclear, and may be highly idiographic (i.e., individual-specific). Single-case or “n-of-1” randomized trials (N1RT) are useful in exploring such effects by exposing each subject to both sleep deprivation and baseline conditions, thereby characterizing effects specific to that individual. We had two objectives: (1) To test and generate individual-specific N1RT hypotheses of the effects of sleep deprivation on next-day BG level, mood, and food cravings in two non-diabetic individuals; (2) To refine and guide a future n-of-1 study design for testing and generating such idiographic hypotheses for personalized management of sleep behavior in particular, and for chronic health conditions more broadly. We initially did not find evidence for idiographic effects of sleep deprivation, but better-refined post hoc findings indicate that sleep deprivation may have increased BG fluctuations, cravings, and negative emotions. We also introduce an application of mixed-effects models and pancit plots to assess idiographic effects over time.

Association of Sleep Duration and Overweight/Obesity among Children in China

“…In our study, all respondents were recruited from the CNHHS, a survey covered 31 provinces, autonomous regions and province-level municipality in China, which can provide more information for the understanding of this area. In our study, consistent with previous findings, girls, older children, and rural children had lower risk of overweight and obesity [30][31][32]. Children doing leisure exercise were found to have a higher rate of overweight and obesity than those without leisure exercise in the current study.…”

“…With the increase of sleep duration, the risk of overweight and obesity gradually decreased. In terms of how sleep deprivation affects weight, Data et al [31] found the positive relationships between sleep…”

“…With the increase of sleep duration, the risk of overweight and obesity gradually decreased. In terms of how sleep deprivation affects weight, Data et al [31] found the positive relationships between sleep deprivation and blood glucose fluctuations, negative mood, and cravings in an n-of-1 randomized pilot study. The association of sleep deprivation with blood glucose fluctuations also showed a similar trend in a review [32].…”

N-of-1 Trials in Healthcare

“…Participants completed three-weeks of lightbox-delivered bright white light or sham for 30 minutes each morning for 12 weeks and recorded their daily depressive symptoms using a smartphone application that was specially designed for the study. Daza, Wac and Oppezzo [ 2 ] used a “self-study” N-of-1 trial design to explore the effects of sleep deprivation on blood glucose, food cravings, and affect in non-diabetic adults. In this study, two of the authors were study participants and provided measurements of activity, sleep, glucose and other outcomes via a continuous glucose meter, fitness tracker, and web-based surveys.…”

Machine Learning and LPWAN Based Internet of Things Applications in Healthcare Sector during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Blood glucose monitoring [47] is vital for diabetic patients, as they have high glucose levels over an extended period of time. This monitoring indicates the pattern of glucose level present in an individual's blood, which helps in deciding meal plans, medications, and physical activities.…”