Sleep and Hypnosis: A Journal of Clinical Neuroscience and Psychopathology January 2003 5(4):165-174
Ahmed S. Bahammam, King Saud University
We assessed the effect of Islamic fasting and its attendant changes in lifestyle on total sleep time, sleep habits, daytime sleepiness, and eating habits in a group of young healthy subjects during the first 3 weeks of Ramadan. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and given four times: 1) 1 week before Ramadan (baseline, BL), and 2) the first week (R1), 3) second week (R2), and 4) third week of Ramadan (R3) to assess sleep habits, daytime sleepiness and functioning, and eating habits. During weekdays, participants were asked to monitor their sleep habits and other parameters described in the questionnaire, and then to complete the questionnaire on the last weekday of each week, according to the timetable set in the study design. Complete information was available for 56 participants. Bedtime was delayed significantly during Ramadan as compared to BL. Total sleep time at night (TST) dropped slightly during Ramadan as compared to BL, but this drop did not reach statistical significance. Despite the insignificant change in TST, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores were significantly higher during Ramadan. The present study revealed several modifications in circadian rhythm, social activity, and eating habits of fasting individuals during the month of Ramadan.