Ngan Yin Chan1, Jihui Zhang1, Mandy Wai Man Yu1, Siu Ping Lam1, Shirley Xin Li2, Alice Pik Shan Kong3, Albert Martin Li4, Yun Kwok Wing5. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 2. Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 3. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: ykwing@cuhk.edu.hk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a modest delay (15 min) in school start time (SST) on adolescent sleep patterns, mood, and behaviors. METHODS: Two secondary schools in Hong Kong with a total of 1173 students (intervention: n = 617; comparison school n = 556) completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. School start time was delayed by 15 min, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., in the intervention school. The comparison school maintained their regular SST at 7:55 a.m. Students' sleep-wake patterns, daytime sleepiness, and mental and behavioral aspects were assessed by validated questionnaires before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Students in the intervention school significantly delayed their weekday wake-up time (p < 0.001) and increased their total time in bed (p < 0.001) when compared to students in the comparison school. Both groups experienced a delay in their weekday bedtime. The students in the intervention school showed improved mental health [General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) score, p = 0.015], better prosocial behaviors (p = 0.009), better peer relationships (p < 0.001), greater attentiveness (p < 0.001), less emotional problems (p = 0.002), and less behavioral difficulties (p < 0.001) as measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). CONCLUSIONS: A modest delay (15 min) in school start time can increase adolescent sleep with corresponding improvement in mood and behaviors. Current findings have significant implications for education policy, suggesting that school administrators and policy makers should systematically consider delaying school start time to promote sleep and health among school-aged adolescents. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-TRC-12002798. The trial protocol can be accessed at: http://www.chictr.org/en/proj/show.aspx?proj=3955.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a modest delay (15 min) in school start time (SST) on adolescent sleep patterns, mood, and behaviors. METHODS: Two secondary schools in Hong Kong with a total of 1173 students (intervention: n = 617; comparison school n = 556) completed both baseline and follow-up questionnaires. School start time was delayed by 15 min, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., in the intervention school. The comparison school maintained their regular SST at 7:55 a.m. Students' sleep-wake patterns, daytime sleepiness, and mental and behavioral aspects were assessed by validated questionnaires before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Students in the intervention school significantly delayed their weekday wake-up time (p < 0.001) and increased their total time in bed (p < 0.001) when compared to students in the comparison school. Both groups experienced a delay in their weekday bedtime. The students in the intervention school showed improved mental health [General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) score, p = 0.015], better prosocial behaviors (p = 0.009), better peer relationships (p < 0.001), greater attentiveness (p < 0.001), less emotional problems (p = 0.002), and less behavioral difficulties (p < 0.001) as measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). CONCLUSIONS: A modest delay (15 min) in school start time can increase adolescent sleep with corresponding improvement in mood and behaviors. Current findings have significant implications for education policy, suggesting that school administrators and policy makers should systematically consider delaying school start time to promote sleep and health among school-aged adolescents. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-TRC-12002798. The trial protocol can be accessed at: http://www.chictr.org/en/proj/show.aspx?proj=3955.
Authors: June C Lo; Su Mei Lee; Xuan Kai Lee; Karen Sasmita; Nicholas I Y N Chee; Jesisca Tandi; Wei Shan Cher; Joshua J Gooley; Michael W L Chee Journal: Sleep Date: 2018-06-01 Impact factor: 5.849
Authors: Valentina Alfonsi; Serena Scarpelli; Aurora D'Atri; Giacomo Stella; Luigi De Gennaro Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-04-09 Impact factor: 3.390