Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
Published on: January 26, 2019
Sleep of Māori and non-Māori of Advanced Age
Rosemary Gibson1, Philippa Gander, Sarah-Jane Paine
1Sleep/Wake Research Centre, Massey University, Wellington Campus, Private Bag 756, New Zealand. r.gibson@massey.ac.nz.
Aim:
To estimate prevalence and identify predictors and outcomes of reporting sleep problems in Māori and non-Māori of advanced age.
Method:
Participants were 251 Māori, and 398 non-Māori adults (79-90 years) from Te Puāwaitanga o Ngā Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu. Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand. Multiple logistic regression identified predictors of reporting a current sleep problem and investigated relationships between current sleep problems and physical and mental health.
Results:
26.3% of Māori and 31.7% of non-Māori reported a current sleep problem. Reporting a current sleep problem was associated with ethnicity (non-Māori, adjusted OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.30-0.90), and reporting a past sleep problem (adjusted OR=2.67, 95% CI=1.25-5.72). Sleep problems were related to poorer physical and mental health, and falling.
Conclusion:
Sleep problems are commonly reported and associated with poorer health. Early recognition and management of sleep problems could improve physical and mental health.
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