Abstract
Sleep serves a vital role in our ability to function on a daily basis and may be affected by various activities such as playing video games. Teenagers are one of the largest consumers of video games and if played before bedtime may lead to the release of certain neurotransmitters which may, in turn, alter sleep architecture and reduce sleep efficiency. The purpose of this study is to measure 1) sleep efficiency 2) sleep latency 3) time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) stage with and without playing video games 30 minutes to 60 minutes before bedtime. For this study, one patient was recruited. The study was completed using a television, video game console, and a video game (Red Dead Redemption 4), Apnea Risk Evaluation System (ARES) nocturnal polysomnogram (NPSG) unit, a bed and a blanket situated in a quiet room, a computer, printer, and a notebook for data recording. REM time and sleep latency were also measured. There were 45.6 minutes of REM with video games and 56.4 minutes of REM without video games. This was equivalent to 13.06% and 15.74% of the total sleep time, respectively. The sleep latency with video games was shorter than without video games (11.4 and 23 minutes, respectively). Result suggests that there is no significant difference in sleep efficiency with and without video games. However, sleep latency decreased, and REM increased with video games.
Highlights
Sedentary lifestyle and poor sleep have been linked to a myriad of morbidity creating an enormous burden felt by the individual and the economy as a whole [1,2]
Various neurotransmitters are important in this complex process, acetylcholine serves as an integral modulator in both states, wakefulness, and sleep, especially rapid eye movement (REM) [8,9]
We found that sleep efficiency decreased when the participant played video games immediately before going to sleep instead of taking part in other non-stimulant activity
Summary
Sedentary lifestyle and poor sleep have been linked to a myriad of morbidity creating an enormous burden felt by the individual and the economy as a whole [1,2]. This epidemic is more pronounced in our youth as they engage in playing video games and other technology-driven activities. Impact of these sedentary activities can be measured by studying the quality and quantity of sleep. Video games are a part of our culture, as illustrated by its place in the entertainment industry. Video games before bedtime have been thought to produce poor sleep, especially sleep latency [6,7]
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