Sleep and Hypnosis: A Journal of Clinical Neuroscience and Psychopathology Volume 9, Number 2, Year 2007
LeAnne M. Forquer, Ph.D, C. Merle Johnson, Ph.D.
White noise (sound covering the entire range of human hearing from 20-20,000 hertz) was investigated to promote sleep in college students. Four college students were provided white noise generators and instructed to use them all night between 60 and 75 decibels (dB) for one month. A multiple baseline design across participants design measured sleep latency and night wakings during each night at baseline, treatment, and follow-up. All students showed a decrease in both sleep latency and night wakings during treatment; however one's night wakings returned after white noise was discontinued at a one month follow-up and three of the four returned at a second follow-up the next semester. All were comfortable with white noise and would recommend it to other students with sleep problems. White noise reduced sleep problems in college students which supports its use as a non-pharmacological alternative to promote sleep. Like medication it appears to only be effective when administered.
Keywords: college students, white noise, night wakings, insomnia, sleep problems, sleep latency.