Does sleeping upright exacerbate fatigue?

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Last updated: February 5, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Research

Relationship Between Sleep and Fatigue

  • The relationship between sleep patterns and fatigue is complex, with multiple factors influencing the outcome 1.
  • Sleep quality, rather than quantitative sleep characteristics, is a significant predictor of fatigue 1, 2.
  • Depression and somatization levels are also positively correlated with fatigue, with depression affecting all aspects of fatigue except physical fatigue 1.

Effect of Upright Posture on Fatigue

  • Adopting an upright posture may increase positive affect, reduce fatigue, and decrease self-focus in people with mild-to-moderate depression 3.
  • Upright shoulder angle is associated with lower negative affect and lower anxiety across both groups 3.

Sleep and Fatigue in Older Adults

  • Prior-night sleep is associated with next-day fatigue in older adults, with long and short sleep duration and low sleep quality leading to fatigue 4.
  • Time in bed and sleep satisfaction are significant predictors of fatigue in older adults 4.

Distinguishing Sleepiness and Fatigue

  • Sleepiness and fatigue are distinct phenomena, with sleepiness characterized by a presumed impairment of the normal arousal mechanism 5.
  • Fatigue is a complex phenomenon with multiple conceptualizations and definitions, and its measurement remains subjective 5.

Daily Diary Studies

  • Daily diary studies have shown that self-reported nightly sleep quality significantly predicts subsequent daily fatigue ratings 2.
  • Total sleep time is a significant predictor of fatigue within, but not between, participants 2.
  • Unhelpful sleep beliefs and rumination about fatigue mediate the relationship between insomnia and fatigue reporting 2.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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