Changes in Circadian Rhythmicity during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns

Background: For many people, the COVID-19 pandemic was an intrusion into their daily activities and their work and personal lives. Due to this pandemic, people were forced to spend their time mainly in their homes, which significantly reduced their activities. These restrictions have had a major impact on people, both in terms of their physical and mental conditions. Thanks to this exceptional situation, we have a unique opportunity to examine changes in sleep in the natural environment after removing social influences, such as a strict work schedule. At the same time, in addition to contributing to the development of knowledge about the functioning of people in domestic isolation, this research also has possible applicable potential (prevention of health problems associated with desynchronization of biological and social rhythm, streamlining sleep by adjusting working hours to individual time preferences, etc.). In this study, we ask whether in different chronotypes there will be a change in the rhythm of sleep and wakefulness, as well as in the quality of sleep, during home isolation.