The association between insomnia symptoms and cognitive flexibility among undergraduates: An event-related potential study

Objective: To explore the association between insomnia symptoms and cognitive flexibility among undergraduates, along with its potential neural mechanisms. Method: A total of 102 participants were divided into insomnia (n = 55) and control (n = 47) groups based on sleep status. Cognitive flexibility was assessed using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) and the NumberLetter Task (N-L task). EEG data were recorded during the N-L task. Results: The insomnia group exhibited lower CFI scores and higher switch costs in reaction time and accuracy compared to the control group. ERP analysis showed differences in P2, N2, and P3 component amplitudes between the two groups, with reduced N2 amplitude in the insomnia group under repeat trials. Time-frequency analysis revealed larger theta band event related synchronization in the frontal region and smaller theta band ERS in the parietal region under switch trials in the control group; the alpha band event-related desynchronization in the parietal region under repeat trials was significantly smaller in the control group compared to switch trials. Conclusion: Compared to undergraduates with normal sleep, those with insomnia symptoms exhibited reduced cognitive flexibility, which may be associated with some alterations in brain electrophysiological activities.