COGNITIVE AND FUNCTIONAL IMPACTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION ON NEUROLOGICAL HEALTH AMONG WORKING PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Background: Sleep deprivation has emerged as a major occupational health concern, affecting cognitive efficiency, neurological function, and overall well-being. Among working professionals, chronic lack of restorative sleep contributes to fatigue, impaired decision-making, and declining productivity. Despite growing awareness, limited empirical data exist from regional professional populations linking sleep deprivation with measurable neurological and cognitive outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate how chronic sleep deprivation influences neurological functioning, cognitive performance, and overall health outcomes among working professionals in South Punjab.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over four months involving 380 full-time professionals aged 25–55 years from healthcare, education, corporate, and administrative sectors. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), cognitive performance through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), neurological alertness via the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT), and overall health using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression were applied, considering p < 0.05 as statistically significant.

Results: A total of 62.6% of participants were identified as poor sleepers (PSQI >5). Poor sleepers had significantly lower mean MoCA scores (21.8 ± 3.4) and prolonged PVT reaction times (392 ± 68 ms) compared to good sleepers (27.3 ± 2.1 and 328 ± 55 ms, respectively, p < 0.001). Sleep duration correlated positively with cognitive performance (r = 0.62) and health outcomes (r = 0.55) while negatively with reaction time (r = –0.58). Sleep duration independently predicted cognitive and health outcomes after controlling for confounders (β = 0.58, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Chronic sleep deprivation among working professionals was strongly associated with impaired cognition, reduced neurological responsiveness, and poorer health status. Promoting adequate sleep and workplace wellness initiatives may help preserve cognitive function and improve occupational health outcomes.