The Complex Interplay Between Sleep and Healthy Aging: A Scoping Review

Journal article : Review

BackgroundThe relationship between sleep and healthy aging is complex, involving changes in sleep patterns, architecture, and disturbances. Recognizing these changes is crucial for maintaining physical, cognitive, social, and psychological well-being in older adults. However, links between sleep parameters and aging outcomes remain unclear.ObjectiveThis review synthesizes current knowledge on associations between sleep parameters (duration, continuity, architecture, quality) and healthy aging outcomes, including physical health, cognitive function, psychological well-being, and social engagement.MethodsFollowing the Arksey and O'Malley framework and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, this scoping review analyzed observational studies on healthy older adults. Sleep-related measures were examined without confounders from mental or physical illnesses.ResultsTwenty studies were included. Across cohorts, older adults consistently exhibited advanced sleep phases (bedtime ≈39 minutes earlier, wake time ≈76 minutes earlier) and reduced total sleep time (by approximately 2.4 hours vs younger adults). Both short and long sleep durations were associated with poorer aging outcomes, supporting a U-shaped relationship between sleep length and healthy aging. Sleep efficiency decreased by 13% and wake after sleep onset increased fourfold with age, particularly among women. Age-related reductions in slow-wave and REM sleep were linked to lower cognitive performance and altered mood regulation. Moderate daytime napping (ConclusionGaps in understanding longitudinal sleep data, the mechanisms of sleep's impact on aging, and napping's role need further exploration. Future research could inform interventions for promoting healthy aging.

Authors: Bragazzi, NL; Mutti, C; Ratti, PL; Sardella, A; Quattropani, MC

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Journal: Nature and Science of Sleep
• Volume: 17
• Pages: 3085-3100
• Publication date: 2025-11-29
• Acceptance date: 2025-10-18
• DOI: 10.2147/nss.s555177
• EISSN: 1179-1608
• ISSN: 1179-1608
• Pmid: 41356807
• Language: English
• Keywords: Objective Sleep; Sleep Quality; Subjective Sleep; Healthy Aging; Scoping Review; Sleep
• Subtype: Review