Extension of effective day length and its effect on sleep characteristics due to exposure to mobile phone screen in female students in a semi urban and urban setting

Background: Approximately more than 2.5 billion cell phones are projected for 2017. The blue lightemitted by screens on cell phones, computers, tablets, and televisions restrain the production of melatoninis the hormone that controls the sleep/wake cycle or circadian rhythm. There is ample evidence that anovel, short-wavelength-sensitive photoreceptor system is primarily responsible for a variety of non-visuallight responses, in particular, resetting the timing of the circadian pacemaker, suppressing melatoninproduction.Methods: The study investigates the effect of exposure to LED backlit screens used in cell phones by 50undergraduate girls of Goa and Mumbai in the age group of 18 to 22. Data was collected using the KristinDehmler Technology usage scale, the Insomnia impact scale, Epworth Sleepiness scale. [Pittsburgh sleepquality index (PSQI)], and sleep-wake behavior [Munich chronotype questionnaire (MCTQ). T-tests andcorrelations using the SPSS to assess differences in the two groups of semi urban and metropolitan girlswere done.Results: The study predicts that this light exposure will extend day length and impact sleep characteristicsin the form of number of awakenings, difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep, non-restorative sleepand nighttime restlessness. The endogenous evening rise in melatonin occurred later in the LED-backlightcondition; due to the use of cell phones affected the circadian pacemaker located in the suprachiasmaticnuclei which most likely received a longer “day” signal, inducing a phase delay.Conclusion: Participants reported higher amounts of nocturnal cell phone use reported spending less timesleeping and poorer sleep quality No significant differences were found between the urban Mumbai groupand the semi urban Goa group..

Demythification of anxiety and sleep problems in older women

Background: This study attempts to isolate anxiety as a singular variable influencing sleep in elderly women. Later life anxiety is an understudied area. Older adults living alone in their houses have more responsibility and therefore more anxiety. Sleep problems are not a result of aging. Nearly half of the population of senior citizens report sleeps disturbances.Methods: Thirteen elderly women living alone in the age group of 75 to 93 from three Goan villages were studied. Face to face semi-structured interviews using Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HARS-R), Hamilton Depression rating scale (HDRS-R), and the Pittsburg Insomnia scale were used. Health history, medication and activity information was obtained. Results: Results supported previous studies done. Insomnia and anxiety are significantly related with a control for depression. Anxiety and activity are significant predictors of insomnia The causal nature between the variables are unexplained. Conclusion:An important implication in this study is to identify a clear etiology so that insomnia can be treated in senior citizens.