Changes associate with chronotype, sleep pattern and depression levels among school students during pandemic COVID-19 lockdown and post lockdown online classes

Aim: To determine chronotype, daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, and depression level among school students during lockdown and post-lockdown online classes, and how it differed from their offline classes.Methodology: phases. The first phase was conducted during April and July 2019, second phase was conducted between 25 April to 23 May 2020, and the third th rd phase was conducted during July during August 2021. Hundred school students (46 male and 54 female) of age group 14-20 years participated. Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) was used to measure their chronotype, while daytime sleepiness was assessed by Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Pittsburgh's Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality. Zung Self -Rating Depression Scale (SDS) was used to determine the depression level. The study was conducted in three Results: Results showed an increase in the evening type and a decrease in the morning and neither type persons during lockdown and online classes. In addition, higher depression levels, more daytime sleepiness, and poor sleep quality were observed during lockdown and online classes, irrespective of gender. Altogether, study suggests that lockdown and social isolation during post lockdown had a poor mental effect, increased daytime sleepiness, and poor sleep quality in school students. Hundred participants of average age group 16 years Questionnaire used:-Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh's Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) Phase one (offline classes) April and July 2019 Phase two (no classes) April to 23 May 2020 (no classes) rd Study was conducted through offline questionnaire Phase three (online classes) July and August 2021 Study was conducted through online questionnaire Lockdown resulted in poor sleep quality and higher depression levels Interpretation: sleep-wake cycle and daily routine during social isolation. These findings would help in planing policies on the interventions on sleep, circadian rhythms, and stress management to maintain a healthy