Effects of a Month-Long Napping Regimen in Older Individuals

Abstract

OBJECTIVES 1) To examine the effects of a month-long nap regimen using one of two durations (45 min, or 2 hr) on nighttime sleep and waking function in a group of healthy older subjects. 2) To assess the degree to which healthy older individuals are willing/able to adhere to such napping regimens. DESIGN Three laboratory sessions, with 2-week at-home recording interspersed, using a between-subjects approach. SETTING The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Human Chronobiology at Weill Cornell Medical College and in subjects’ homes. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-two healthy men and women aged 50–88 years (mean = 70y). MEASUREMENTS Polysomnography (sleep EEG), actigraphy, sleep diaries, neurobehavioral performance, sleep latency tests. RESULTS With the exception of compliance to the protocol, there were few differences between Short and Long nap conditions. Napping had no negative impact on subsequent nighttime sleep quality or duration, resulting in a significant increase in 24-hour sleep amounts. Such increased sleep was associated with enhanced cognitive performance, but had no impact on simple reaction time. Subjects were generally able to comply better with the 45-minute than the 2-hour nap regimen. CONCLUSION A month-long, daily nap regimen may enhance waking function without negatively impacting nighttime sleep. Using 2-hour naps in such a regimen is unlikely to meet with acceptable compliance; a regimen of daily 1-hour naps may be more desireable for both effectiveness and compliance.

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