Sleep Parameters Recorded by Actiwatch_ in Elementary School Children and Junior High School Adolescents. Schooldays vs Weekends
Alexandru Gaina,Michikazu Sekine,Xiaoli Chen,Shimako Hamanishi,Sadanobu Kagamimori
Sleep and Hypnosis: A Journal of Clinical Neuroscience and Psychopathology 2004;6(2):55-66
Over the last years, sleep habits evolution from childhood into adolescence has been
identified as a preferential target for investigators. The present study examines the
objective sleep patterns as recorded by Actiwatch in elementary–10.8 years children
and junior high school–14.2 years adolescents. During schooldays and weekends
elementary school children have constant sleep patterns. Significant differences were
found in junior high school adolescents, first in comparison with elementary school
subjects and second, between schooldays and weekends. During schooldays,
adolescents get insufficient sleep, which they try to recompense during weekends. The
majority of sleep parameters showed significant variation in weekends in contrast to
schooldays. Present objective data revealed, that major changes in sleep patterns occur
in adolescents. Adolescents, parents and health practitioners should realize the effects
of chronic sleep insufficiency and develop new strategies in order to promote coherent
sleep hygiene
Keywords:
sleep microstructure parameters, sleep quality, sleep schedule, circadian
rhythm, sleep hours, actigraph