Does sleep predict next-day napping or does napping influence same-day nocturnal sleep? Results of a population-based ecological momentary assessment study

Abstract

Study objectives. The temporal relationship between nocturnal sleep and daytime napping has only been assessed in small non-representative samples, and suggest that nocturnal sleep and napping are interdependent, although mixed results exist. We investigate the temporal relationship between nocturnal sleep and napping (and vice versa). Methods. A population-based sample of middle-aged adults (N=683, mean age 60.7 [SD 9.5]) completed seven days of ecological momentary assessment reporting sleep and nap characteristics. Multilevel random-effects models were used to assess the temporal relationship between sleep duration and quality and nap occurrence and duration (and vice versa). Results. 64% of the study population took at least one nap during seven days. Poor subjective sleep quality and shorter sleep duration increased the likelihood and duration of next-day napping. No effect of nap occurrence or duration was found on same-day nocturnal sleep duration and quality was found. However, when considering the timing of nap, afternoon naps, but neither morning nor evening naps, decreased same-day nocturnal sleep duration. Conclusion. Naps seem to compensate for poor subjective sleep quality, and to some extent for short sleep duration. As only afternoon naps reduced same-day nocturnal sleep duration, timing of the daytime nap seems to matter with respect to same-day nocturnal sleep duration.

Daytime Sleep as Compensation for the Effects of Reduced Nocturnal Sleep on the Incidence of Hypertension: A Cohort Study

“…Naps seem to compensate for poor subjective sleep quality, and to some extent for a short duration of sleep. 24 It was reported that people in China were 18% more likely to take a daytime nap (OR = 1.18, p < 0.01) after transitioning to retirement. 25 Most of the participants in our study were retired at home, and 64.77% took habitual daytime naps.…”

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep duration, sleep quality, and bone stiffness in European children and adolescents

“…Researchers have also raised concerns that difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep are occurring in youth [3,4], and poor quality of sleeping states (e.g., difficulties falling asleep) and waking states (e.g., trouble getting up in the morning) are equally relevant to health. Even though daytime napping could compensate in part for less nocturnal sleep duration and poor sleep quality, it may also lead to excessive sleep duration as well as less efficient sleep at night time [5]. To date, poor sleep, in terms of extreme duration and poor quality, has been linked to increased risks of poor mental health, obesity, and cardio-metabolic risk among children and adolescents [6].…”

Work Shift and Circadian Rhythm as Risk Factors for Poor Sleep Quality in Public Workers from Murcia (Spain)

“…A nap of more than half an hour can cause alterations in the natural biological rhythm, promoting subsequent insomnia [ 29 ]. In addition, although naps seem to compensate for the poor subjective quality of sleep and, to some extent, the short duration of sleep, it must be considered that afternoon naps reduce the duration of nighttime sleep on the same day [ 30 ]. According to the foundation of health education of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid [ 31 ], the average duration of a nap in Spain is 1 h, which is higher than recommended.…”