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Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
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Do night naps impact driving performance and daytime recovery sleep?
Stephanie A Centofanti1, Jillian Dorrian1, Cassie J Hilditch1
1Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
Accident; Analysis and Prevention
|December 1, 2015
Summary
Short nighttime naps do not improve simulated driving performance after a night shift. However, these naps do not negatively impact daytime recovery sleep, preserving overall 24-hour sleep quality.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Science
- Occupational Health
- Human Performance
Background:
- Nighttime naps are used to combat fatigue in night shift work.
- Concerns exist regarding the impact of nighttime napping on daytime sleep quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of short nighttime naps (<30 minutes) on simulated driving performance.
- To assess the influence of these naps on subsequent daytime recovery sleep.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-one healthy subjects participated in a 3-day laboratory study.
- Subjects underwent different nighttime nap conditions (10-min + 10-min, 30-min, or no nap) after a night shift.
- Simulated driving performance and polysomnographic sleep recordings were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Nighttime napping did not significantly improve simulated driving performance (lane variability, safe zone time, time to crash).
- Short naps did not significantly affect total daytime recovery sleep time.
- A 30-minute nap reduced subsequent daytime slow wave sleep (SWS), but 24-hour SWS was preserved.
Conclusions:
- Short nighttime naps do not protect against performance decrements during a simulated morning commute.
- These naps do not adversely affect daytime recovery sleep quality following a night shift.
- Further research is needed on optimal nap timing and duration to balance performance and sleep quality.
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