Measuring the Chronotype in Polish Population

Abstract

S u m m a r yChronotype is an attribute connected with an individual, preferred pattern of circadian activity on the continuum of morningness-eveningness. It mirrors the inter-individual differences in the course of circadian rhythms [1,2]. The studies indicate its connections with sleep-wake cycle, i.e.: time of sleep onset, wake up time and duration of sleep [3,4].Two methods of describing human chronotypes are considered in this paper: a subjective -questionnaire method and an objective method -actigraphy that measures the gross motor activity.The aim of the study was to assess the relation between results of Polish adaptation of Horne and Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire [5] and circadian activity measured with actigraphs in order to compare and evaluate the usefulness of both methods in chronotype related studies. Also, the purpose was to assess the relation between chronotype and socio-demographic factors such as sex, age and education in Polish population.The research group included 150 healthy volunteers of genders, 75 women and 75 men. The age of the respondents fell between 19 and 60 years old (34.25±12.13 EX±SD).The obtained results confirmed the usefulness of actigraphy in chronotype related studies. Also they confirmed modulation of chronotype with age and revealed differences in circadian activity between men and women. że jest on ściśle związany z przebiegiem rytmu senczuwanie, m.in. czasem zaśnięcia i budzenia się oraz czasem trwania snu [3,4].W pracy zastosowano dwie metody pomiaru chronotypu: kwestionariuszową oraz pomiar aktograficzny aktywności ruchowej.Celem pracy była ocena związku pomiędzy wynikami polskiej adaptacji kwestionariusza Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) Horna i Ostberga [5] a dobową aktywnością ruchową mierzoną aktograficznie oraz porównanie i ocena przydatności obu metod w badaniach nad chronotypem. Ponadto, dokonano oceny związku pomiędzy chronotypem i czynnikami społeczno-demograficznymi, takimi jak: płeć, wiek i wykształcenie, w populacji polskiej.Badaniami objęto grupę 150 zdrowych ochotników obu płci, 75 kobiet i 75 mężczyzn w wieku 19-60 lat (34.25±12.13; EX±SD ).Uzyskane wyniki potwierdziły przydatność aktografii w badaniach nad chronotypem. Wyniki potwierdziły związek chronotypu z wiekiem oraz ujawniły różnice w aktywności dobowej między mężczyznami i kobietami.

Temperament and chronotype among academic athletes – perspective of the regulative theory of temperament

“…Most measures showed the advantage of eveningness in men (Adan & Natale, 2002;Natale & Di Milia, 2011;Randler, 2007;Cavallera & Guidici, 2008;Wiłkość, 2014). There are also reports indicating no differences (Ogińska, 2011;Paine, Gander, & Travier, 2006;Pracki, Wiłkość, Pracka, Dmitrzak-Weglarz, & Augustyńska, 2014). In our research, both gender groups had similar mean results in the general score in the chronotype measure.…”

Chronotype and sleep quality as a subphenotype in association studies of clock genes in mood disorders

“…Chronotype allows description of individual preferred activity pattern. The comparison of subjective and objective method of daily activity preferences in a group of healthy subjects, proved that the use of Polish adaptation of the MEQ is a valid method of the chronotype assessment (Pracki et al 2014). However, we failed to observe any significant differences between patients and controls in the frequency of chronotype regardless of the type of disease, probably due to small sample size.…”

“…The human biological clock determines synchronization of light-dark rhythm with physiological and mental processes (Lemoine et al 2013, Frank et al 2008, Ohayon 2007a. Chronotype (CH) is an expression of individual circadian rhythm differences, defining the preference of morning (lark) or evening (owl) activity (Pracki et al 2014). CH is considered as the combination of both biological (genetic factors, aging of the body) and psychosocial (hours of study or work, the rhythm of family life) processes (Allebrandt and Roenneberg 2008).…”

“…The questionnaire consisted of 21 questions that cover basis of subjective personal observations, behavior, experiences, senses etc. Resulting data was used to assess individual chronotype (morning, moderate/ neutral and evening) was assessed following suggestions by (Pracki et al 2014).…”

Differences in the Clinical Picture in Women with a Depressive Episode in the Course of Unipolar and Bipolar Disorder

“…The exclusion criteria were YMRS score more than 12 [ 24 ], present substance abuse, severe and unstable medical condition, neuropsychiatric illnesses associated with cognitive impairment, or a prior clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Before leaving the hospital, the patients completed a battery of self-questionnaires ( Figure 1 ): Beck Depression Inventory version IA (BDI) [ 25 ] in Polish validation [ 26 ], The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11) [ 27 ], Morningness-Evenigness Questionnaires (MEQ) [ 28 ] with three chronotypes (morning, intermediate, evening) based on Pracki et al [ 29 ], The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) [ 30 ], Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) [ 31 ], The Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) [ 32 ] in Polish adaptation [ 33 ], and Brief Life Events Questionnaire (BLEQ) [ 34 ]. All scales used in our study were either in the original form or in the Polish adaptation and were previously validated by their authors.…”