A study to examine the thermal environment on sleep and physiological responses in shelter-analogue settings in winter

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate sleep in evacuation shelter-analogue settings in winter using disaster relief blankets and ordinary futons. Subject experiments were conducted to examine the sleep variables using actigraphy and the environmental conditions in a gymnasium during winter. The Sleep Efficiency Index and sleeping time decreased significantly in Hie first night when using disaster blankets. The mean skin temperature was significantly lower for sleeping times using disaster blankets. However, no significant difference in rectal temperature was found between the blankets and a pair of futons.