title: Is daily routine important for sleep? An investigation of social rhythms in a clinical insomnia population.
abstract: Social rhythms, also known as daily routines (e.g. exercise, of school or work, recreation, social activities), have been identified as potential time cues to help to regulate the biological clock. Past research has shown links between regularity and healthy sleep. This study examined the regularity and frequency of daytime activities in a clinical insomnia population and a good sleeper comparison group. Participants (N = 69) prospectively monitored their sleep and daily activities for a 2-week period. Although participants with insomnia and good sleepers had similar levels of activity, relative to good sleepers, those with insomnia were less regular in their activities. Findings from this study add to the growing number of studies that highlight the relative importance of the regularity of daytime activities on sleep. Accordingly, future research should test treatment components that focus on regulating daytime activities, which would likely improve treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University , Toronto, Ontario , Canada and.
authors.forename: Taryn G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Colleen E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Carney
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haynes
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012890:Sleep; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Insomnia; SRM; regularity; routine; sleep; social rhythms; time cue; zeitgeber