Skin Conductance as a Relaxation Capacity Indicator in COVID-19 Survivors with Insomnia

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Following acute COVID-19 infection, persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms are commonly reported, including anxiety, depression, fatigue, and insomnia. Insomnia, characterized by psychophysiological arousal, is linked to hyperactivation of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) dysfunction. Skin conductance (SC) measurement reflects ANS activity alterations. <bold>Objective:</bold> To compare SC changes during relaxation phases between COVID-19 survivors with and without insomnia. <bold>Method:</bold> A cross-sectional study with 609 participants (62.2% male; mean age 53.3±14 years) assessed insomnia via a self-report question. Participants were grouped based on insomnia presence. SC was evaluated during a 10-minute profile comprising eyes open (baseline), eyes closed, natural relaxation (NR), and induced relaxation (IR). Relaxation capacity (RC) was determined by SC decrease at NR and IR endings. A t-test was conducted. <bold>Results:</bold> No significant SC differences during NR were observed (LC=.069; RC=.089). However, significant differences emerged during IR (LC=.000, RC=.000). Group 2 (no insomnia) displayed greater LC and RC decrease during IR, suggesting higher relaxation capacity than Group 1 (insomnia). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> COVID-19 survivors may lack natural relaxation capacity, potentially linked to post-COVID-19 conditions. Insomnia group's failure to achieve relaxation during IR aligns with insomnia's physiological process, indicating CNS arousal and ANS dysfunction. This suggests insomnia exacerbates ANS alterations post-COVID-19. Further research is crucial for understanding this phenomenon and its sleep disturbance associations.