The findings of a recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry revealed that patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD), both residential and outpatient, displayed erratic sleep patterns and dysregulated transitions between sleep and wake cycles. Researchers revealed that the at-risk patient displayed excessively rigid daily routines, which is an indicator of worsening SSD symptoms.

The authors of the study noted that sedative medications used to manage SSD symptoms are known to alter sleep and extend the time that patients spend resting up to 15 hours per day. Associate professor of psychiatry and senior author of the study, Dr. Fabio Ferrarelli, stated that too much sleep can have negative consequences on patients` SSD symptoms.

The findings of the study showed that a 12- to 15-hour sleep can be harmful, and it`s important to avoid overprescribing sedatives and use the lowest dose possible. For the study, the researchers enrolled 250 participants, of whom 150 were residential patients and the rest were outpatient SSD patients. The researchers measured the participants activities and rest throughout the day and night by asking them to wear a wristband that detects movement and acceleration.

The researchers observed that residential patients experienced more fragmented sleep and more abrupt transitions between rest and activity compared to the outpatient group. They also displayed more rigid rhythms of daily rest and activity than outpatients. Additionally, they also scored highly on the measures that correlated with negative mental health symptoms to a greater degree. 

(Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/disrupted-sleep-rhythms-linked-to-worse-schizophrenia-symptoms-497328 )