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Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
Published on: October 2, 2019
Did a brief nap break have positive benefits on information processing among nurses working on the first 8-h night
Yu-San Chang1, Yu-Hsuan Wu2, Mei Rou Lu2
1Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, ROC; Faculty of Nursing Department, Meiho University, No. 23, Pingguang Road, Neipu, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC; Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, No. 130, Kai-Syuan Second Road, Ling-Ya District, Kaohsiung 802, Taiwan, ROC.
Abstract:
Shift workers frequently experience acute sleep deprivation on first night shift. This study compared the efficacy of 30-min nap (between 2 and 3 a.m.) on the visual attention ability of the nurses working at first 8-h night shift at the time of maximum fatigue (between 3 and 4 a.m.). In addition, we measured cognitive function (between 9 and 10 a.m.) in nurses working on daytime shift, which we defined as baseline wakefulness. The results showed that working on the night shift groups was associated with sleep loss, leading to a decrease in visual attention performance compared to the daytime shift group. There was no statistically significant difference in the visual attention performance between those taking and not taking a nap during the night shift, however the effect size was medium in the information process. It was still needed increase sample size to draw the conclusion regarding a 30-min nap break have positive benefits on perceptual speed during the first night shift.
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