@Article{crph6215,
AUTHOR = {Rajeev, Misra and Divyanshi, Singh and Jahanvi, Shukla and Akanksha, Mishra and Rajgopal, Reddy},
TITLE = {Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Executive Functioning Among Young Adults: Meta-Analysis},
JOURNAL = {Current Research in Public Health},
VOLUME = {5},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {1},
PAGES = {79-87},
URL = {https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/OJP/article/view/6215},
ISSN = {2831-5162},
DOI = {10.31586/ojp.2025.6215},
ABSTRACT = {Background: Sleep deprivation is increasingly prevalent among young adults due to academic, occupational, and social demands, making them susceptible to circadian disruption. Executive functioning—encompassing working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility is essential for academic and professional success. This meta-analysis quantifies the effect of sleep deprivation on executive functioning in healthy young adults. Practical Implications: These findings highlight the need for evidence-based interventions such as university-level sleep education programs, flexible academic scheduling, and workplace policies promoting adequate sleep to optimize cognitive performance and productivity among young adults. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched (January 2000–March 2024) for studies assessing acute (<6 hours sleep or ≥24 hours total deprivation) or chronic (<6 hours/night over multiple days) sleep deprivation in young adults. Outcomes included validated executive function tests (e.g., Stroop, N-Back). Random-effects meta-analysis (Hedges’ g) was conducted using R (version 4.3.2) with metafor/meta packages. Heterogeneity (I², Q-test), sensitivity (leave-one-out), and publication bias (funnel plot, Egger’s test) were evaluated. Results: Out of 2,478 screened studies, 39 met inclusion criteria (n=4,578). Sleep deprivation had a moderate-to-large detrimental effect on executive functioning (Hedges’ g = -0.62, 95% CI [-0.78, -0.45], p<0.001). Subdomain analysis revealed greatest impairment in working memory (g = -0.71), followed by inhibitory control (g = -0.59) and cognitive flexibility (g = -0.49) (all p<0.001). Moderate heterogeneity was present (I² = 58%), with results robust to sensitivity analysis. Egger’s test indicated no significant publication bias (p=0.22). Interpretation: Sleep deprivation significantly impairs executive functioning in young adults, especially working memory. Interventions improve sleep may enhance cognitive performance and should be integrated into public health strategies and educational policies. Future research should assess chronic restriction and individual vulnerability factors.},
}

%0 Journal Article
%A Rajeev, Misra
%A Divyanshi, Singh
%A Jahanvi, Shukla
%A Akanksha, Mishra
%A Rajgopal, Reddy
%D 2025
%J Current Research in Public Health

%@ 2831-5162
%V 5
%N 1
%P 79-87

%T Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Executive Functioning Among Young Adults: Meta-Analysis
%M doi:10.31586/ojp.2025.6215
%U https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/OJP/article/view/6215

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Rajeev, Misra
AU  - Divyanshi, Singh
AU  - Jahanvi, Shukla
AU  - Akanksha, Mishra
AU  - Rajgopal, Reddy
TI  - Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Executive Functioning Among Young Adults: Meta-Analysis
T2  - Current Research in Public Health
PY  - 2025
VL  - 5
IS  - 1
SN  - 2831-5162
SP  - 79
EP  - 87
UR  - https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/OJP/article/view/6215
AB  - Background: Sleep deprivation is increasingly prevalent among young adults due to academic, occupational, and social demands, making them susceptible to circadian disruption. Executive functioning—encompassing working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility is essential for academic and professional success. This meta-analysis quantifies the effect of sleep deprivation on executive functioning in healthy young adults. Practical Implications: These findings highlight the need for evidence-based interventions such as university-level sleep education programs, flexible academic scheduling, and workplace policies promoting adequate sleep to optimize cognitive performance and productivity among young adults. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched (January 2000–March 2024) for studies assessing acute (<6 hours sleep or ≥24 hours total deprivation) or chronic (<6 hours/night over multiple days) sleep deprivation in young adults. Outcomes included validated executive function tests (e.g., Stroop, N-Back). Random-effects meta-analysis (Hedges’ g) was conducted using R (version 4.3.2) with metafor/meta packages. Heterogeneity (I², Q-test), sensitivity (leave-one-out), and publication bias (funnel plot, Egger’s test) were evaluated. Results: Out of 2,478 screened studies, 39 met inclusion criteria (n=4,578). Sleep deprivation had a moderate-to-large detrimental effect on executive functioning (Hedges’ g = -0.62, 95% CI [-0.78, -0.45], p<0.001). Subdomain analysis revealed greatest impairment in working memory (g = -0.71), followed by inhibitory control (g = -0.59) and cognitive flexibility (g = -0.49) (all p<0.001). Moderate heterogeneity was present (I² = 58%), with results robust to sensitivity analysis. Egger’s test indicated no significant publication bias (p=0.22). Interpretation: Sleep deprivation significantly impairs executive functioning in young adults, especially working memory. Interventions improve sleep may enhance cognitive performance and should be integrated into public health strategies and educational policies. Future research should assess chronic restriction and individual vulnerability factors.
DO  - Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Executive Functioning Among Young Adults: Meta-Analysis
TI  - 10.31586/ojp.2025.6215
ER  -