What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Neuroticism and parasympathetic activity during sleep–wake transitions (n=111). Intervention: Heart rate variability (HRV) measurement vs. Control group with lower neuroticism. Primary outcome: ΔSleepOnset and ΔWake (d 0.20, p=0.040 for ΔSleepOnset; 0.041 for ΔWake).

What does this research mean for the field?

Neuroticism group exhibits blunted parasympathetic modulation during sleep–wake transitions compared to the control group. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to explore the effects of neuroticism on parasympathetic modulation during sleep-wake transitions.

January 9, 2026Bulletin of the National Research Centre/Bulletin of the National Research CenterOpen Access

Attenuated parasympathetic modulation during “Wake to Sleep” and “Sleep to Wake” in high-neuroticism young adults: a heart rate variability study

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Key result

Neuroticism group exhibits blunted parasympathetic modulation during sleep–wake transitions compared to the control group.

Key Points

The research aims to explore the effects of neuroticism on parasympathetic modulation during sleep-wake transitions.
Participants were classified into control and neuroticism groups based on a specific psychological assessment.
Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured using a portable electrocardiogram.
Transitional indices of parasympathetic activity were calculated for sleep onset and waking.
The neuroticism group showed significantly smaller parasympathetic modulation indices (ΔSleepOnset and ΔWake) compared to the control group.
Average parasympathetic activity during sleep did not differ between the two groups.
The observed trends in the neuroticism group persisted despite limited statistical power due to small sample size.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=111)

Multicenter

PICO

Population

Neuroticism and parasympathetic activity during sleep–wake transitions (n=111)

Intervention / Comparator

Heart rate variability (HRV) measurement vs Control group with lower neuroticism

Primary Outcome

ΔSleepOnset and ΔWake — d 0.20, p=0.040 for ΔSleepOnset; 0.041 for ΔWake

Main Result

Effect estimate: d 0.20

p-value: p=0.040 for ΔSleepOnset; 0.041 for ΔWake

Limitations

The sample consisted of healthy young adults, limiting generalizability.
HFnu can be influenced by respiration, which was not monitored.
Neuroticism was assessed at a single time point using a self-report questionnaire.
Detailed analyses of sleep fragmentation were limited by data.
Group IV consisted of only two participants.

Discussion

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Implication

Examines altered parasympathetic modulation during sleep transitions in young adults with high neuroticism, suggesting links to sleep vulnerability.

Cite This Study

Taniguchi et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Neuroticism and parasympathetic activity during sleep–wake transitions (n=111). Heart rate variability (HRV) measurement vs. Control group with lower neuroticism was evaluated on ΔSleepOnset and ΔWake (d 0.20, p=0.040 for ΔSleepOnset; 0.041 for ΔWake). Neuroticism group exhibits blunted parasympathetic modulation during sleep–wake transitions compared to the control group.

synapsesocial.com/papers/696128f244c2cd6c68456c7f https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-025-01384-6

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Implication

Examines altered parasympathetic modulation during sleep transitions in young adults with high neuroticism, suggesting links to sleep vulnerability.