Date Available
4-29-2025
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Graduate Capstone Project
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
College
Public Health
Department/School/Program
Public Health
Faculty
Dr. Steven R. Browning
Committee Member
Dr. Erin Abner
Faculty
Dr. Anna Goodman Hoover
Faculty
Dr. Mary E. Lacy
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Sleep duration and sleep disorders can cause changes in memory function as populations age. Previous studies have shown that disordered sleep is associated with increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and long and short sleep durations can cause memory impairment. This study studies aims to find if there is an association between sleep disorders and sleep duration and the impacts on memory.
METHODS: In this study, 3,478 participants aged 60 year and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 dataset were included in adjusted and unadjusted models, comparing the sleep disorders and sleep duration exposures to the standardized scores (z-scores) taken from the CERAD Delayed Recall test (memory test) scores.
RESULTS: Unadjusted models show a potentially protective effect of sleep disorders on memory at z-score cutoff -1.5 [OR: 0.84 (0.57, 1.22)] and an increased risk of sleep disorders on memory at z-score cutoff -1 [OR: 1.73 (1.36-2.20)]. Adjusted models show increased risk of sleep disorders on memory at both z-score cutoffs [1.03 (0.68-1.55) for cutoff -1.5 and 2.01 (1.52, 2.66) for cutoff -1]. Both unadjusted and adjusted models for sleep duration showed that with every one-hour increase in sleep duration, the odds of experiencing memory impairment increased.
DISCUSSION: Results do suggest an association between sleep disorders and sleep duration and experiencing memory impairment, with findings being like previous epidemiologic studies. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to strengthen association, especially as cognitive function is vital and improving the health of aging populations is a relevant public health initiative.
Recommended Citation
Sims, Alexandria J., "HOW SLEEP DISORDERS AND SLEEP DURATION IMPACT MEMORY" (2025). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 468.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/468
