Circadian Activity and Noise Comparisons of Two Confined Groups with and without Reference to Clock Time

Abstract

The gross behavior of two comparable groups of normal Ss including men, women, and children was measured continuously over a 2-wk. interval by noise and activity recordings. The second group differed from the first in that no clocks or other mechanical means of recording time were available. Both groups were under relatively identical conditions of isolated confinement in a simulated fallout shelter. Normal cues as to passage of time were not available due to the construction characteristics of the experimental chamber. Thermal and ventilation conditions were maintained at optimal levels. Both measures revealed highly positive correlations between the mean circadian patterns of the two groups. Noise and activity were also highly correlated within groups. Longitudinal comparisons of daily means revealed slightly decreasing noise trends after the fourth day of confinement. Such a trend was not generally apparent in either of the longitudinal activity plots.

Temporal disorientations and distortions during isolation

“…A third observation was that general orientation to time was a more reliable measure than duration estimation. According to the reported data, the pattern of results obtained by the participants regularly providing their duration estimates seemed consistent with the later reports of Thor & Crawford (Crawford & Thor, 1964, 1967 in that morning durations tended to be underestimated. Morning estimations were also consistent with the positive temporal errors reported in MacLeod and Roff (Macleod & Roff, 1936), which indicated that the individual tended to think that it was later than the actual clock time in the morning hours.…”

“…Morning estimations were also consistent with the positive temporal errors reported in MacLeod and Roff (Macleod & Roff, 1936), which indicated that the individual tended to think that it was later than the actual clock time in the morning hours. To the contrary, in the evening, durations were overestimated (Crawford & Thor, 1964, 1967 and individuals in (Macleod & Roff, 1936) reported that it was earlier than the actual clock time.…”

“…The study of Thor & Crawford (Crawford & Thor, 1964) confined a group of 30 adults and children in a simulated fallout shelter for 304.6 hours. Participants had no beds, no bathing water, no coffee and no change clothing.…”

Time-restricted feeding leads to sex- and organ-specific responses in the murine digestive system

“…rhythmic renal excretion of water and salts (6, 7). It was also observed that humans placed in an environment without any indication of the time of day, preserved their previous circadian activity rhythm (8). In humans the circadian period is approximately 24h long and seems to be influenced by age, race, geographical location, and, possibly, sex (9-12).…”

Out Like a Light: Feasibility and Acceptability Study of an Audio-Based Sleep Aide for Improving Parent–Child Sleep Health

“…Infancy and toddler years both mark significant shifts in sleep and circadian rhythm patterns and behaviors, leading to significant sleep disturbance. Although these shifts in sleep and circadian rhythms generally normalize by early childhood, exposure to destabilizing and disruptive environmental (e.g., noise, light) [ 6 , 7 ] and behavioral (e.g., evening routine) factors can affect the establishment of normalized sleep patterns [ 8 ].…”