Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
Published on: January 26, 2019
Circadian sleep-wake rhythm of older adults with intellectual disabilities
Marijke Maaskant1, Ellen van de Wouw, Ruud van Wijck
1Intellectual Disability Medicine, Department of General Practice, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.h.teeuw@gmail.com
Abstract:
The circadian sleep-wake rhythm changes with aging, resulting in a more fragmented sleep-wake pattern. In individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), brain structures regulating the sleep-wake rhythm might be affected. The aims of this study were to compare the sleep-wake rhythm of older adults with ID to that of older adults in the general population, and to investigate which factors are associated with the sleep-wake rhythm in older adults with ID. This study is part of the 'Healthy Aging and Intellectual Disabilities' study (HA-ID). We applied actigraphy in 551 persons with ID and 58 persons in the general population, aged 50 years and over. Outcome measures were stability (interdaily stability), fragmentation (intradaily variability) and amplitude (relative amplitude) of the sleep-wake rhythm. Compared to older adults in the general population, the sleep-wake rhythm of older adults with ID was significantly less stable (p=0.03), more fragmented (p<0.001) and had a lower relative amplitude (p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that higher age, dementia, depression, visual impairment, severe hearing impairment, epilepsy and spasticity are independently associated with a more disturbed sleep-wake rhythm in this group. The sleep-wake rhythm is more stable in females and those living at a setting for more intensive care. Higher physical activity levels are strongly associated with both a less fragmented (p<0.001) and a more stable (p<0.001) sleep-wake rhythm. Higher age, dementia and depression are also associated with the sleep-wake rhythm in the general population. Neurological and sensory impairments that were associated with the sleep-wake rhythm in older adults with ID, are frequent known conditions in the ID population. Further research should focus on which factors specifically influence the sleep-wake rhythm in older adults with ID, and on the effects of more physical daytime activity on the sleep-wake rhythm in this population.
Related Concept Videos
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Intellectual Disability
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
