Sleep and Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review and Path Forward

ABSTRACT

Objectives

The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize research examining the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep and healthy aging in late-life.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted via both PubMed and PsychINFO databases using terms related to “sleep” and “healthy aging.” Studies which examined the association between healthy aging and one or more sleep parameters were included in the present review.

Results

Fourteen relevant studies, nine cross-sectional and five longitudinal, were identified. Overall, cross-sectional studies revealed that positive indicators of sleep were generally associated with a greater likelihood of healthy aging. In contrast, a limited number of existing longitudinal studies revealed mixed and inconclusive results.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that adequate sleep is more likely to coincide with relevant markers of healthy aging in late-life and underscores the need for additional research investigating the longitudinal associations between sleep and healthy aging.

Clinical Implications

Healthy sleep, consisting of moderate sleep duration and good quality, shows promise for the promotion of healthy aging. Consequently, poor sleep should be identified and intervened upon when necessary.

KEYWORDS:

• Sleep
• insomnia
• successful aging

Data Availability Statement

Data for the present study can be obtained from the corresponding author, JD, upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging under Grant K23AG049955.