The effect of habitual self-awakening on sleep processes and subjective ratings of nocturnal sleep

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of habitual self-awakening on nocturnal sleep. Thirteen subjects who habitually self-awaken in the morning participated in two experimental nights; forced-awakening night and selfawakening night. In forced-awakening night, subjects were forced to be awaken by the experimenter at the time when they usually awake. In self-awakening night, subjects attempted to self-awaken at the time when they usually awake. Their anxiety immediately before the experimental nights, polysomnography during the nights, and the subjective ratings of sleep immediately after awake were analyzed. The subjects succeeded self-awakening in 8 of 19 self-awakening nights (42.1%). There were no significant differences between the forced-and self-awakening nights in their anxiety, subjective ratings of sleep, and sleep variables, except for the amount of stage 1. These results suggest that habitual self-awakening have no negative effects on nocturnal sleep, mood after awake, and satisfaction in sleep.View full abstract