Window/door opening-mediated bedroom ventilation and its impact on sleep quality of healthy, young adults

Abstract

This work examined window/door opening as means of bedroom ventilation and the consequent effect upon occupants' sleep, using data from 17 healthy volunteers. Bedroom CO level, temperature, and relative humidity were measured over 5 days, for two cases: open window or door (internal, bedroom door), and closed window and door. Participant filled questionnaires and sleep diary provided subjective measure of sleep quality. Actigraphy objectively monitored the participants during sleep. Additionally, a FlexSensor, placed under pillows of participants, detected movement during sleep. Average CO level for the Open conditions was 717 ppm (SD = 197 ppm) and for Closed conditions was 1150 ppm (SD = 463 ppm). Absolute humidity levels were similar for both conditions, while Open conditions were slightly cooler (mean = 19.7°C, SD = 1.8°C) than Closed (mean = 20.1°C, SD = 1.5°C). Results showed significant correlations (P < .001) between actigraphy data and questionnaire responses for: sleep latency (r = .45), sleep length (r = .87), and number of awakenings (r = .28). Of all analyzed sleep parameters, questionnaire-based depth of sleep (P = .002) and actigraphy-based sleep phase (P = .003) were significantly different between Open and Closed conditions.

Construction and validation of a sleep hygiene booklet for the elderly

“…Information multiplication made possible by educational material about sleep hygiene is relevant to address the popular belief that the most effective way to improve sleep quality is through pharmacological intervention. Simple and low-cost procedures have been shown to be effective, as observed in a study carried out in the Netherlands, in which the results showed that the preparation of the sleeping environment, contemplated in the sleep hygiene guidelines, such as opening doors and windows in the bedroom to improve ventilation, improved sleep duration and depth (21) . In this way, the relevance and the need to inform the population about such content are highlighted, and they are covered by the booklet.…”

Exploring the Impact of Natural Light Exposure on Sleep of Healthy Older Adults: A Field Study

“…The levels presented in this paper are all Ewrist When considering this equation, a level of 1000 lx on wrist would indicate a level of 518 lx on eye level. In a more recent study [34] a smaller deviation between average eye and wrist exposure was found but strongly depending on the environmental condition people were in, for instance, indoors (27%) and outdoors (11%). Even though sleeping problems can be caused by many different reasons, some may be reduced by exposure to daylight.…”

Actimetry for Estimating Occupant Activity Levels in Buildings: A Step Toward Optimal and Energy-Efficient Indoor Conditioning

“…Actimetry, in built environment, has a more extensive history of use in sleep studies [9,10]. However, it has yet to see application in modulating indoor conditioning.…”