title: Sleep hygiene practices of good and poor sleepers in the United States: an internet-based study.
abstract: This Internet-based investigation assessed the frequency of multiple sleep hygiene practices in 128 good sleepers and 92 poor sleepers (mean age = 41.6, SD = 12.8, 61.8% women). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to measure sleep quality (< 5 = good sleep, > 7 = poor sleep). Although sleep hygiene practices were generally good, poor sleepers showed increased cognitive activity in the bed, even after controlling for global indices of depression and anxiety. Poor sleepers also reported statistically significant increases in excessive noise in the bedroom, uncomfortable nighttime temperature, and activities that were exciting, emotional, or demanded high concentration near bedtime. Future studies should further investigate the prevalence of these variables and their potential impact on sleep quality.
authors.affiliation: Philadelphia Veterans Medical Center, MIRECC (116, 2nd floor), University and Woodland Avenues, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. leslie.gellis2@va.gov
authors.forename: Les A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Gellis
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lichstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D020407:Internet; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States