Students with a delayed school start time sleep longer

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High school students with a delayed school start time are more likely to take advantage of the extra time in bed, and less likely to report daytime sleepiness, as per a research abstract that will be presented on Monday at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

The study, authored by Zaw W. Htwe, MD, of Norwalk Hospitals Sleep Disorders Center in Norwalk, Conn., focused on 259 high school students who completed the condensed School Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Previous to the delay, students reported sleeping a mean of 422 minutes (7.03 hours) per school night, with a mean bed-time of 10:52 p.m. and a mean wake-up time as 6:12 a.m.

As per the results, after a 40-minute delay in the school start time from 7:35 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., students slept significantly longer on school nights. Total sleep time on school nights increased 33 minutes, which was due mainly to a later rise time. These changes were consistent across all age groups. Students bedtime on school nights was marginally later, and weekend night sleep time decreased slightly. More students reported no problem with sleepiness after the schedule change.

Following a 40-minute delay in start time, the students utilized 83 percent of the extra time for sleep. This increase in sleep time came as a result of being able to sleep in to 6:53 a.m., with little delay in their reported school night bedtime. This study demonstrates that students given the opportunity to sleep longer, will, rather than extend their wake activities on school nights, said Mary B. O'Malley, MD, PhD, corresponding author of the study.

It is recommended that adolescents get nine hours of nightly sleep.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) offers the following tips to adolescents on how to get a good nights sleep:

• Follow a consistent bedtime routine.

• Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.

• Get a full nights sleep every night.

• Avoid foods or drinks that contain caffeine, as well as any medicine that has a stimulant, previous to bedtime.

• Do not stay up all hours of the night to cram for an exam, do homework, etc. If after-school activities are proving to be too time-consuming, consider cutting back on these activities.

• Keep computers and TVs out of the bedroom.

• Do not go to bed hungry, but dont eat a big meal before bedtime either.

• Avoid any rigorous exercise within six hours of your bedtime.

• Make your bedroom quiet, dark and a little bit cool.

• Get up at the same time every morning.

Those who suspect that they might be suffering from a sleep disorder are encouraged to consult with their primary care doctor or a sleep specialist.


Posted by: JoAnn    Source