Transitions into and out of daylight saving time compromise sleep and the rest-activity cycles.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of transition out of and into daylight saving time on the rest-activity cycles and sleep. Rest-activity cycles of nine healthy participants aged 20 to 40 years were measured around transitions out of and into daylight saving time on fall 2005 and spring 2006 respectively. Rest-activity cycles were measured using wrist-worn accelerometers. The participants filled in the Morningness-Eveningness and Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaires before starting the study and kept a sleep diary during the study.


RESULTS
Fall transition was more disturbing for the more morning type and spring transition for the more evening type of persons. Individuals having a higher global seasonality score suffered more from the transitions.


CONCLUSIONS
Transitions out of and into daylight saving time enhanced night-time restlessness and thereby compromised the quality of sleep.
Lahti
Tuuli A
TA
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. tuuli.lahti@ktl.fi
Leppämäki
Sami
S
Lönnqvist
Jouko
J
Partonen
Timo
T
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013995:Time