Spontaneous K-complexes in chronic psychophysiological insomnia.

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Celyne H Bastien; St-Jean, Geneviève; Turcotte, Isabelle; Charles M Morin; Lavallée, Mélanie; Carrier, Julie; Forget, Daniel

Source:

J Psychosom Res, Volume 67, Issue 2, p.117-25 (2009)

Keywords:

Adult, Chronic Disease, Electroencephalography, Female, Humans, Male, Polysomnography, Severity of Illness Index, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Sleep Stages, Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous K-complexes are electroencephalographic features unique to non-rapid eye movement sleep. It has been suggested that this phasic event is a sleep-protective mechanism. Because insomnia sufferers report poor sleep quantity and quality, the objective of this study was to document the occurrence of spontaneous K-complexes in Stage 2 sleep of individuals with chronic insomnia. Specifically, the number and density of spontaneous K-complexes were studied in psychophysiological insomnia sufferers.SETTING: This study took place in a sleep and event-related potentials laboratory.DESIGN: Spontaneous K-complexes were scored during Stage 2 sleep on the second and third nights of a four-consecutive-nights protocol of polysomnographic recordings.PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 14 participants suffering from psychophysiological insomnia (INS group; mean age=44.1 years) and 14 good sleepers (mean age=38.1 years). Participants underwent sleep and psychological evaluations. INS group participants met the diagnostic criteria for primary psychophysiological insomnia (mean duration of insomnia=9.6 years).INTERVENTION: Not applicable.RESULTS: The total number of spontaneous K-complexes and the density according to the total time spent in Stage 2 sleep (spontaneous K-complexes per minute) were compiled. Repeated-measures analyses of variance showed no significant difference in the number and density of spontaneous K-complexes between the INS group (313.98 and 2.66) and the GS group (361.10 and 2.88), respectively.CONCLUSION: These results suggest no deficiency in the sleep-protective mechanism of psychophysiological insomnia sufferers in comparison with good sleepers, as measured by the spontaneous K-complexes' number and density.