Extending or Restricting Sleep Affects Daytime Emotional Regulation

School-age children who modestly increased their sleep time had healthier daytime behaviors and less daytime sleepiness than children who modestly eliminated sleep time.

Is a modest increase in sleep in children associated with greater daytime alertness and healthier behaviors? Researchers in Canada evaluated the effect of sleep extension and sleep restriction on daytime functioning in a convenience sample of 34 typically developing school-age children (age range, 7–11 years) who did not have sleep problems or medical, behavioral, or academic concerns.

At study entry, parents reported an average sleep time of 8.5 to 9.5 hours and no daytime napping. Participants were told to avoid caffeinated foods (e.g., chocolate and cola) and to avoid napping. Duration and quality of sleep were evaluated objectively with an actigraphy wristwatch. After 5 consecutive nights during which sleep was monitored in each child's …

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics