Effects of a limited nap on night sleep in older subjects.
The night sleep of sixteen 50-60-year-old women, which had been preceded by either afternoon naps or no-nap control periods, was assessed by polygraphic and subjective measures. There were 2 nap and 2 non-nap nights. The naps were limited to a 1-hr opportunity. The measures of all subjects, good nappers (more than 20-min sleep on both nap occasions), and subjects with 50-min or more nap time, were separately analyzed. The null hypothesis of a nap effect could not be rejected. Within limits, naps may be recommended to offset the common night-time awakenings in older persons.
Aber
R
R
Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.
Webb
W B
WB
D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time; D012890:Sleep