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The Relationship Between Midday Napping And Neurocognitive Function in Early Adolescents
Xiaopeng Ji1,2, Junxin Li2,3, Jianghong Liu2,4
1a School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware , Newark , Delaware.
Behavioral Sleep Medicine
|February 2, 2018
Summary
Habitual midday napping in adolescents is linked to better neurocognitive function, including sustained attention and memory. Frequent and moderate-duration naps showed the most significant benefits for cognitive performance.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
Background:
- The impact of midday napping on adolescent neurocognitive function remains under-researched.
- Understanding napping behaviors is crucial for adolescent development and cognitive health.
- Midday napping is a common practice in some cultures, including China.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between self-reported midday napping behaviors and neurocognitive function in early adolescents.
- To explore how nap frequency and duration relate to cognitive performance metrics.
- To examine the relationship between napping and nighttime sleep quality in this population.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 363 early adolescents (average age 12.00 years) from China participated.
- Midday napping habits (frequency, duration), nighttime sleep, and sleep quality were assessed via self-report questionnaires.
- Neurocognitive function was evaluated using the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery, measuring accuracy and reaction times.
Main Results:
- Sixty-four percent of adolescents napped more than 3 times per week, with 70% napping over 30 minutes.
- Frequent and longer midday napping was associated with better nighttime sleep quality.
- Frequent nappers (5-7 days/week) showed improved sustained attention and nonverbal reasoning accuracy, and faster spatial memory reaction times.
- Moderate-duration nappers (31-60 minutes) demonstrated enhanced speed and accuracy on sustained attention tasks.
Conclusions:
- Habitual midday napping is significantly associated with improved neurocognitive function in early adolescents.
- Nap frequency and duration appear to be key factors influencing cognitive benefits.
- Findings highlight the potential role of napping in cognitive development, particularly within cultural contexts where it is prevalent.
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