Background/Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a learning task on the characteristics of a subsequent daytime nap. Participants and Methods: Thirty-eight subjects were administered a control nap (C) and one preceded by a cognitive training session (TR). Results: Relative to C, TR naps showed significantly increased sleep duration with decreased sleep latency, as well as significantly increased sleep efficiency due to reduced awakening frequency. Meaningful trends were also found toward an increase of Stage 2 sleep proportion and a reduction of Stage 1 sleep, percentage of wake after sleep onset (WASO), and frequency of state transitions. Conclusions: Our results indicate that presleep learning favors sleep propensity and maintenance, offering the possibility to explore planned cognitive training as a low-cost treatment for sleep impairments.
The Effect of Cognitive Activity on Sleep Maintenance in a Subsequent Daytime Nap
Francesca Conte;Gianluca Ficca
2019
Abstract
Background/Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a learning task on the characteristics of a subsequent daytime nap. Participants and Methods: Thirty-eight subjects were administered a control nap (C) and one preceded by a cognitive training session (TR). Results: Relative to C, TR naps showed significantly increased sleep duration with decreased sleep latency, as well as significantly increased sleep efficiency due to reduced awakening frequency. Meaningful trends were also found toward an increase of Stage 2 sleep proportion and a reduction of Stage 1 sleep, percentage of wake after sleep onset (WASO), and frequency of state transitions. Conclusions: Our results indicate that presleep learning favors sleep propensity and maintenance, offering the possibility to explore planned cognitive training as a low-cost treatment for sleep impairments.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
