A recent study has found that a significant majority of workers aged 50 to 66 experience sleep disorders, with work-related stress identified as a primary factor contributing to these problems. Conducted over the course of one year, the research revealed that 92% of participants met the clinical criteria for a sleep disorder at least once during the study period.

The investigation involved 45 individuals within this age group and combined data from wearable technology with self-reported questionnaires. Researchers employed artificial intelligence to analyze the information and determine key predictors of sleep disturbances. Notably, nearly 70% of the participants faced persistent and clinically significant sleep issues despite having no prior formal diagnosis of a sleep disorder.

The study emphasized that the principal challenge was not related to the total amount of sleep but rather frequent awakenings after initially falling asleep. These interruptions to sleep continuity were identified as the predominant symptom affecting the group.

Professor Thanasis Tsanas, the study’s lead researcher from Edinburgh University, expressed surprise at the high prevalence of undiagnosed sleep problems in this population. Co-author Dr. Belinda Steffan highlighted the implications for workplace health, stating that sleep should be recognized as a critical element of employee wellbeing. She urged organizations and employers to acknowledge the impact that work stress-related sleep disturbances can have, particularly among older workers.

The findings suggest that addressing sleep health in the workplace could be important for improving overall employee health and productivity, especially as the workforce ages.