Naps would not only have restorative virtues. They would indicate the development of dementia in the elderly.
The nap is a ritual that is increasingly practiced by adults. Performed between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., this short period of rest would have several beneficial effects on our body. Indeed, she would improve concentration and mood of the person doing it. The siesta would also contribute to reduce blood pressure and to reduce stress.
To be effective, these naps must be short and last between one and twenty minutes. But as you age, it’s not uncommon for naps to become more frequent and longer. However, a team of researchers from Boston would have found a link between repeated naps and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
The results of their research were published on March 17, 2022 in the specialist journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
The duration of naps related to the disorders from which the volunteers suffered
For several years, the group of researchers followed the habits of a group of elderly people. The volunteers were between 74 and 88 years old. They provided information on the frequency of the daytime naps they took and their duration. At the same time, the volunteers were subject to medical monitoring to see if there could be a link.
The researchers found that 40% of volunteers taking regular naps were more likely to be affected by cognitive impairment. Worse still, once the diagnosis was established, the naps were more frequent.
They were also longer than before the discovery of the disease. On average, these lasted 24 minutes longer in patients with mild cognitive impairment. But in patients with Alzheimer’s, naps lasted about 68 minutes longer.
Monitoring the sleep of seniors: a priority according to researchers
Doctor Peng Li, co-author of the study recalled that ” The daytime sleep patterns of the elderly are often overlooked “. But events like the transition to summer time or the end-of-year festivities can exhaust seniors.
If they lack sleep, it is necessary to let them rest. However, the ideal is to spare them so that they can stay awake throughout the day. If necessary, short naps may also be recommended.
Nevertheless, the study remains to be nuanced because it is unclear if the effect would be the same in younger adults. Either way, Dr. Li advocates “paying more attention to 24-hour sleep patterns — not only nighttime sleep but also daytime sleep — to monitor the health of older people.”