Sleep fragmentation in the elderly: relationship to daytime sleep tendency.

Sleep in the elderly is known to be disturbed, and many elderly persons also complain of daytime sleepiness. The present study assessed sleep and waking behavior in 12 male (aged 63 to 86) and 12 female (ages 63 to 82) subjects. Sleep stages, respiration, and movement were recorded at night, and daytime sleep tendency was measured using the Multiple Sleep Latency Test during a single 24-hour period. Daytime sleepiness did not correlate with total sleep time or any sleep stage, but was significantly correlated with measures of sleep fragmentation. The latter included transient arousals, a measure of less than 15-sec awakenings, and sleep-related respiration disturbance. These findings suggest that fragmented nocturnal sleep is a significant cause of reduced daytime well-being in elderly individuals. The continuity of both sleep and wakefulness appears to be disrupted with age. Experimental strategies for achieving a rational sleep hygiene are discussed.