The impact of the end of COVID confinement on pandemic dreams, as assessed by a weekly sleep diary: a longitudinal investigation in Italy

Abstract

Summary The Coronavirus 2019 pandemic strongly affected our sleep and dream activity. Many cross‐sectional studies highlighted increased dream recall frequency, and revealed a great presence of pandemic‐related oneiric contents. Here, we present the first prospective study carried out on an Italian sample. One‐hundred subjects were requested to fill out a web‐survey including socio‐demographic information, and questionnaires collecting sleep and clinical measures during lockdown. A final sample of 90 subjects participated in the longitudinal protocol lasting 2 weeks: (a) the first week (April 28–May 4) of full lockdown; and (b) the second week (May 5–May 11) of easing of restrictions. Subjects were asked to record at home their dream experiences, and complete a sleep‐dream diary each morning. Statistical comparisons showed that participants had higher numbers of awakenings, lower ease of falling asleep, higher dream recall and lucid dream frequency during lockdown than post‐lockdown. Further, subjects reported more dreams, including “being in crowded places” during post‐lockdown than lockdown. The poorer sleep quality during lockdown is quite consistent with previous findings. The relationship between traumatic events and dream recall frequency confirmed the idea of pandemic as “collective trauma”. Also, we hypothesized that the greater presence of lucid dreams during confinement could reflect the attempt to cope with the waking pandemic‐experiences. Finally, the presence of crowded places into dream scenarios during the second week of our protocol appears consistent with the continuity‐hypothesis, as the possibility to access places frequented by other people could represent a relevant experience after a long period of confinement.

Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lockdowns and Social Isolation on Sleep Quality

“…As discussed further below, when taken together, these findings are in keeping with the continuity hypothesis of dreaming. 14,15 Very early on, we, and others, argued that some of those reported sleep symptoms (eg vivid dreams) possibly reflected the biological response to the extraordinary stress and uncertainty that the populace was facing. 1,[16][17][18][19] For example, it is known that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep structure, during which most of our dreaming occurs, changes first during chronic stress, and more so than any other measured sleep characteristic.…”

“…As discussed further below, when taken together, these findings are in keeping with the continuity hypothesis of dreaming. 14 , 15 …”

Dreams and Nightmares during the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Infection: A Longitudinal Study

“…Against this background, a growing number of research papers were showing that the outbreak was associated with relevant psychological symptoms [3,4] and sleep quality was significantly worsened [4][5][6]. Many investigations also explored oneiric activity during the pandemic [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Results from different countries revealed higher dream-recall frequency during the pandemic (e.g., [16]).…”

“…Just a few studies aimed to understand the stability of the observed changes in dream activity at different pandemic stages. In this respect, Scarpelli et al [14] longitudinally investigated the impact of the easing of restrictions on dreaming during the first week after lockdown. The results showed higher dream recall and lucid-dream frequency during lockdown than post-lockdown [14].…”

“…In this respect, Scarpelli et al [14] longitudinally investigated the impact of the easing of restrictions on dreaming during the first week after lockdown. The results showed higher dream recall and lucid-dream frequency during lockdown than post-lockdown [14]. Further, people reported greater dreaming, including crowded places when they could go out again after the prolonged confinement.…”