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Ambulatory first night sleep effect recording in the elderly.
A Wauquier1, B van Sweden, G A Kerkhof
1University of Leiden, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, The Netherlands.
Behavioural Brain Research
|January 31, 1991
Summary
The first night effect impacts sleep in the elderly, even during home recordings. This phenomenon may mimic psychophysiological insomnia, highlighting the need to consider sleep cycle parameters in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sleep Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The first night effect (FNE) on sleep patterns, particularly concerning age, remains debated.
- Previous research has not definitively established FNE in elderly populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of the first night effect in elderly individuals.
- To explore potential differences in insomnia types within this age group.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two consecutive 24-hour ambulatory home sleep-wake recordings.
- Included 10 elderly participants with a mean age of 85.5 years.
- Employed polysomnographic recordings for detailed sleep analysis.
Main Results:
- Confirmed the presence of a first night effect in elderly individuals, even with home-based recordings.
- Demonstrated that distinct types of insomnia can be differentiated in this population.
- Highlighted the importance of considering sleep cycle parameters for accurate assessment.
Conclusions:
- The first night effect is observable in old age, even in familiar home environments.
- Sleep cycle parameters are crucial for differentiating insomnia types in the elderly.
- The FNE in older adults may represent a "miniature" form of psychophysiological insomnia.