Silent struggles: Mapping the terrain of sleep, anxiety, and depression in the Era of pandemic for individuals with multiple sclerosis- a cross-sectional study

Background: The pandemic's preventive measures adversely impacted physical and psychological well-being, leading to increased sleep issues and mental health problems. This study examines sleep health and mental well-being among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) during this period. It explores potential correlations between sleep problems and mental health in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional design utilized an anonymous SurveyMonkey survey distributed to three MS centers, collecting responses from 24 individuals with MS (21 females, 3 males). Sleep data were assessed using the Functional Outcome of Sleep Questionnaire (FSOQ)-10, and mental health status was assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)-21. FOSQ scores ≥17.9 indicated normal sleep, while the DASS-21 comprised stress, anxiety, and depression subscales, each with 7 questions rated on a 0–3 scale, with higher scores indicating greater mental health issues. Results: Of 24 participants, 18 MS individuals reported functional sleep issues during the pandemic. Analysis revealed significantly lower productivity, vigilance, and social outcomes in the sleep problems group (p < .01). Additionally, this group had elevated stress (p = .004) and depression scores (p = .002). Negative correlations were observed between sleep scores and both stress (ρ = -0.485, p = .016) and depression (ρ = -0.562, p = .004). Conclusions: 75 % of MS individuals experienced functional sleep disturbances during the pandemic, with 25 % affected by stress, 16.6 % by anxiety, and 37 % by depression. Sleep issues are correlated with increased stress and depression levels. Recognizing the impact on rehabilitative outcomes, specialists must consider sleep behavior and mental health when designing therapies for individuals with MS.