Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

"Insomnia is common among older adults, and studies indicate that exposure to stressful life events is one factor associated with increased risk for insomnia. However, there is substantial variability in vulnerability to stress-related insomnia. A biomarker of parasympathetic system (High Frequency-Heart Rate Variability) is also considered a biomarker of vulnerability to stress-related insomnia. Individuals with low parasympathetic functioning experience greater physiological and emotional arousal in response to stress, which may promote a state of hyperarousal that interferes with sleep initiation and maintenance. Moreover, High Frequency- Heart Rate Variability decreases with age. The goal of this study is to examine whether the biomarker is related to stress-related insomnia among older adults with chronic insomnia. Older adults aged 65+ with chronic insomnia will be recruited and will partake in two overnight studies; the first one ruling out other sleep disorders. The second one will evaluate sleep features, and in the following morning, the biomarker will be measured. In between the two overnight sleep studies, participants will be asked to complete a stress diary before going to bed at the end of each day and other questionnaires that measure subjective measures of insomnia severity. This study will contribute to the understanding of etiology of insomnia and the identification of vulnerable older adults."