Effects of a nap on nighttime sleep and waking function in older subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To examine, in older subjects, the effect on waking function of increasing 24-hour sleep amounts by providing a nap opportunity; to assess what effects an afternoon nap may have on subsequent nighttime sleep quality and composition.


METHODS
Two-session, within-subject laboratory design.


METHODS
The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Human Chronobiology at Weill Cornell Medical College.


METHODS
Thirty-two healthy men and women aged 55 to 85.


METHODS
Polysomnography (sleep electroencephalogram), cognitive and psychomotor performance, body core temperature.


RESULTS
Napping had little effect on subsequent nighttime sleep quality or duration, resulting in a significant increase in 24-hour sleep amounts. Such increased sleep resulted in enhanced cognitive and psychomotor performance immediately after the nap and throughout the next day.


CONCLUSIONS
A behavioral approach that adds daytime sleep to the 24-hour sleep quota seems worthy of consideration when presented with a situation in which physiological changes associated with aging may limit the duration of nighttime sleep.
Campbell
Scott S
SS
Laboratory of Human Chronobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, White Plains, New York 10605, USA. sscampb@med.cornell.edu <sscampb@med.cornell.edu>
Murphy
Patricia J
PJ
Stauble
Thomas N
TN
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D012890:Sleep