Reducing the use of screen electronic devices in the evening is associated with improved sleep and daytime vigilance in adolescents. Issue 9 (8th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perrault, Aurore A; Bayer, Laurence; Peuvrier, Mathias; Afyouni, Alia; Ghisletta, Paolo; Brockmann, Celine; Spiridon, Mona; Hulo Vesely, Sophie; Haller, Dagmar M; Pichon, Swann; Perrig, Stephen; Schwartz, Sophie; Sterpenich, Virginie
• Is Part Of: Sleep. Volume 42:Issue 9(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-06-08
• Subjects: pediatrics -- adolescents -- actigraphy -- pediatrics -- behavior -- public health -- screen electronic devices -- vigilance -- melatonin; Sleep -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sleep disorders -- Periodicals; Sommeil -- Aspect physiologique -- Périodiques; Sommeil, Troubles du -- Périodiques; Sleep disorders; Sleep -- Physiological aspects; Sleep -- physiological aspects; Sleep Wake Disorders; Psychophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.8498
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz125
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-8105

Abstract

Abstract: The use of screen electronic devices in the evening negatively affects sleep. Yet, sleep is known to be essential for brain maturation and a key factor for good academic performance, and thus is particularly critical during childhood and adolescence. Although previous studies reported associations between screen time and sleep impairment, their causal relationship in adolescents remains unclear. Using actigraphy and daily questionnaires in a large sample of students (12 to 19 years old), we assessed screen time in the evening and sleep habits over 1 month. This included a 2 week baseline phase, followed by a 40 min sleep education workshop and a 2 week interventional phase, in which participants were asked to stop using screen devices after 9 pm during school nights. During the interventional phase, we found that the reduction of screen time after 9 pm correlated with earlier sleep onset time and increased total sleep duration. The latter led to improved daytime vigilance. These findings provide evidence that restricting screen use in the evening represents a valid and promising approach for improving sleep duration in adolescents, with potential implications for daytime functioning and health.