TY - JOUR
T1 - Napping in Older Adults
T2 - a Review of Current Literature
AU - Zhang, Zeyu
AU - Xiao, Xueling
AU - Ma, Weixia
AU - Li, Junxin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Purpose of Review: Daytime napping—frequently reported among older populations—has attracted increasing attention in geriatric research due to its association with multiple health conditions. This review aims to integrate the latest knowledge about napping in older adults to provide implications for future research. Recent Findings: The prevalence of napping in older adults ranges from 20 to 60% in different studies, but has been consistently reported to be higher than in other age groups. Age-related changes in circadian rhythm and sleep patterns, cultural beliefs, chronic conditions, medications, and lifestyle changes contribute to the high prevalence of napping in older adults. Daytime napping has been associated with multiple health conditions in older adults. Naps of short duration (e.g., 30 min) are reported in adults with better health; naps with longer durations (e.g., > 90 min) have been linked to adverse cardiovascular and diabetes outcomes, declining cognitive function, and increased mortality. Current evidence in the literature, however, is not enough for us to determine the exact role of napping in the health of older adults. Summary: Longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to investigate the influence of napping and the critical parameters such as duration, timing, and frequency on health in older adults and the underlying mechanisms. A combination of objective and self-reported measurements of napping is recommended instead of self-reported data only.
AB - Purpose of Review: Daytime napping—frequently reported among older populations—has attracted increasing attention in geriatric research due to its association with multiple health conditions. This review aims to integrate the latest knowledge about napping in older adults to provide implications for future research. Recent Findings: The prevalence of napping in older adults ranges from 20 to 60% in different studies, but has been consistently reported to be higher than in other age groups. Age-related changes in circadian rhythm and sleep patterns, cultural beliefs, chronic conditions, medications, and lifestyle changes contribute to the high prevalence of napping in older adults. Daytime napping has been associated with multiple health conditions in older adults. Naps of short duration (e.g., 30 min) are reported in adults with better health; naps with longer durations (e.g., > 90 min) have been linked to adverse cardiovascular and diabetes outcomes, declining cognitive function, and increased mortality. Current evidence in the literature, however, is not enough for us to determine the exact role of napping in the health of older adults. Summary: Longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to investigate the influence of napping and the critical parameters such as duration, timing, and frequency on health in older adults and the underlying mechanisms. A combination of objective and self-reported measurements of napping is recommended instead of self-reported data only.
KW - Daytime napping
KW - Health
KW - Older adults
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U2 - 10.1007/s40675-020-00183-x
DO - 10.1007/s40675-020-00183-x
M3 - Review article
C2 - 33777656
AN - SCOPUS:85088556223
SN - 2198-6401
VL - 6
SP - 129
EP - 135
JO - Current Sleep Medicine Reports
JF - Current Sleep Medicine Reports
IS - 3
ER -