Harmonizing the mind and body: The interrelationship between traditional Chinese medicine body constitution, mental health and sleep quality.

Abstract

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) body constitution is a key factor in determining and influencing the occurrence, development, and variation of diseases. As the mind interact with the body, TCM body constitution is useful in preventing and treating psychiatric disorders and insomnia.

Aim: To investigate the interrelationship between TCM body constitution, psychiatric disorders and sleep quality.

Methods: A total of 2441 participants were enrolled in our study. TCM body constitution was measured using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire, sleep quality was assessed using the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and psychopathological symptoms were evaluated using Symptom Checklist-90. Logistic regression was used to estimate the interrelationship between TCM body constitution, psychiatric disorders and sleep quality.

Results: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score and the proportions of participants with Qi-deficiency constitution, Qi-stagnation constitution, and blood-stasis constitution were significantly higher in the psychiatric symptoms group. Additionally, psychiatric symptoms were considerably associated with sleep quality, Qi-deficiency constitution, and Qi-stagnation constitution, but were inversely associated with male sex. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms were considerably associated with sleep quality, Qi-deficiency constitution and Qi-stagnation constitution. Depression was considerably associated with sleep quality, hyperuricemia, and Qi-stagnation constitution. Anxiety was considerably associated with sleep quality, diabetes, and Qi-stagnation constitution. Finally, poor sleep quality was considerably associated with Qi-deficiency constitution, Qi-stagnation constitution, dampness-heat constitution, phlegm-dampness constitution, and blood-stasis constitution but was inversely associated with male sex and body mass index > 23.9.

Conclusion: TCM body constitutions are strongly associated with psychiatric symptoms and sleep quality. Further research is needed to verify whether TCM body constitution can be used to treat and prevent psychiatric conditions as well as enhance sleep quality.