Effectiveness of sleep education pr...

AI Summary

This systematic review examined whether sleep education programs can improve sleep hygiene knowledge, behaviors, and sleep quality in college students - a population that has experienced reduced average sleep hours. Researchers analyzed randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies from 1980-2015, ultimately including three RCTs and one quasi-experimental study. The review found mixed and limited evidence for the effectiveness of formal sleep education programs that included sleep hygiene curriculum. While some individual studies showed statistically significant improvements in specific outcomes, the overall evidence was insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. The researchers noted that poor sleep in college students has been associated with attention deficits, reduced academic performance, impaired driving, risk-taking behaviors, depression, and compromised social relationships and health. The study suggests that college students may have limited knowledge about sleep hygiene behaviors that support sleep health, potentially contributing to poor sleep practices.

Key Findings

Only four studies met inclusion criteria, indicating limited high-quality research on sleep education effectiveness in college students

Results were mixed: one study showed significant improvement in sleep hygiene knowledge (P=0.025) while another showed no difference

Sleep hygiene behavior outcomes varied, with one study showing significant improvement (P=0.0001) and another showing no difference

Sleep quality results were largely negative, with three of four studies reporting no significant differences and only one showing improvement (P=0.017)

The systematic review concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of sleep education programs for this population

Abstract

Sleep health is essential for overall health, quality of life and safety. Researchers have found a reduction in the average hours of sleep among college students. Poor sleep has been associated with deficits in attention, reduction in academic performance, impaired driving, risk-taking behaviors, depression, impaired social relationships and poorer health. College students may have limited knowledge about sleep hygiene and the behaviors that supports sleep health, which may lead to poor sleep hygiene behavior. To identify, appraise and synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of sleep education programs in improving sleep hygiene knowledge, sleep hygiene behavior and/or sleep quality versus traditional strategies. All undergraduate or graduate college students, male or female, 18 years and older and of any culture or ethnicity. Formal sleep education programs that included a curriculum on sleep hygiene behavior. Educational delivery methods that took place throughout the participants' college experience and included a variety of delivery methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies. Sleep hygiene knowledge, sleep hygiene behavior and/or sleep quality. Literature including published and unpublished studies in the English language from January 1, 1980 through August 17, 2015. A search of CINAHL, CENTRAL, EMBASE, Academic Search Complete, PsychINFO, Healthsource: Nursing/Academic edition, ProQuest Central, PubMed and ERIC were conducted using identified keywords and indexed terms. A gray literature search was also performed. Quantitative papers were assessed by two reviewers using critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI). Data were extracted using the JBI-MAStARI data extraction tool. Data extracted included interventions, populations, study methods and outcomes of significance to the review question and objectives. Meta-analysis was not possible due to limited studies and variability of design and interventions; therefore, results are presented in narrative form. This systematic review yielded three RCTs and one quasi-experimental study for inclusion. Two studies reported outcomes on sleep hygiene knowledge; one showing a statistically significant improvement (P = 0.025) and the other reported no difference (test of significance not provided). Two studies reported on sleep hygiene behavior; one showing no difference (P > 0.05) and the other reporting a statistically significant improvement (P = 0.0001). Four studies reported on sleep quality; three reporting no difference (P > 0.05) and the other reporting a statistically significant improvement (P = 0.017). This reviewed article identified insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of sleep education on sleep hygiene knowledge, sleep hygiene behavior or sleep quality in this population.

Related Research

Neurodegenerative

Sleep physiology, pathophysiology, and sleep hygiene.

Progress in cardiovascular diseasesJan 2023

AI Summary

This comprehensive review examines sleep's fundamental role in health optimization and provides evidence-based recommendations for improving sleep quality. The researchers highlight that quality sleep supports multiple biological functions including cardiovascular health, mental health, cognition, memory consolidation, immunity, reproductive health, and hormone regulation. The study identifies common sleep problems including insomnia, sleep apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders that can contribute to significant health issues. The authors emphasize that proper sleep hygiene through behavioral modifications represents the most effective long-term approach to sleep improvement. They provide specific recommendations including maintaining 7-9 hours of sleep, consistent sleep/wake schedules, regular bedtime routines, exercise, and contemplative practices. The review also identifies substances and behaviors that negatively impact sleep quality, including late-day caffeine, alcohol, heavy meals, and light exposure, which are associated with fragmented, poor-quality sleep. This research directly supports Blueprint Sleep Optimization by providing evidence-based strategies for enhancing sleep duration and quality.

Neurodegenerative

The effects of light therapy on sleep problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sleep medicine reviewsOct 2016

AI Summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of light therapy for various sleep problems, analyzing 53 studies with 1,154 participants total. The research found that light therapy demonstrates moderate effectiveness for treating sleep problems generally, with small to medium effect sizes. The study suggests light therapy is particularly beneficial for circadian rhythm sleep disorders, insomnia, and sleep problems related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. For insomnia specifically, researchers found that higher light intensity treatments showed larger effects. The analysis revealed that effects were smaller when examining only randomized controlled trials for circadian rhythm disorders, and studies with more female participants showed larger effects for dementia-related sleep problems. While the findings support light therapy as an effective intervention, the researchers noted indication of publication bias and emphasized that most effect sizes were in the small to medium range. This research is relevant to morning sunlight exposure as it demonstrates the broader therapeutic potential of light-based interventions for sleep regulation.

Neurodegenerative

[Light and Medicine].

Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)Dec 2016

AI Summary

This research discusses the fundamental role of light in regulating biological functions through our internal body clocks. The study suggests that Earth's rotation has led to the development of biological clocks in all living organisms, which regulate bodily functions through 24-hour circadian rhythms and seasonal patterns. The researchers emphasize that these light-driven rhythmic patterns have significant impacts on both health and disease, affecting both diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies. Notably, the study indicates that bright light therapy has demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness, particularly for seasonal affective disorder, where it may be even more effective than certain antidepressant medications. This research provides foundational understanding of how light exposure influences our biological systems, though the abstract lacks specific details about study methodology, sample sizes, or duration of light exposure protocols.

Effectiveness of sleep education programs to improve sleep hygiene and/or sleep quality in college students: a systematic review.

AI Summary

Key Findings

Abstract

Authors

Related Protocol

AI Summary

Key Findings

Abstract

Authors

Related Protocol

Research Disclaimer