Bedroom Environment Research Articles

Bedroom Personalization by Urban Adolescents in Botswana: Developing Place Attachment

People in Botswana typically have a residence in the city for work, but home is traditionally their ancestral village. This qualitative study involved interviews of adolescent boys and girls living in Gaborone, Botswana about their bedroom environments. Through semi-structured, in-depth interviews, researchers collected qualitative data on the development of place attachment by adolescents through bedroom personalization. The outcomes indicate a clear interplay between bedroom personalization and place attachment. Youth achieved place attachment through personalization with childhood reminders, expressed identity, social interaction, and the opportunity to be creative. Youths' place attachment and place dependence were primarily attributed to factors including privacy, bigger bedrooms, bedroom contents that provide enjoyment, and objects that support their interests and goals.

Sleep monitoring system in real bedroom environment using texture-based background modeling approaches

This paper presents a video-based sleep monitoring system for real-life bedroom environments. We envision a smart living space with ambient intelligence components to record and monitor sleep in a non-invasive manner. We will describe the overall structure of the proposed system. Special emphasis, however, will be put on the formulation of a robust background modeling technique as the brightness in a real bedroom environment will change gradually at dawn, which creates a severe problem in video-based systems. To address the issue, we have demonstrated how to model brightness changes during morning hours. We have also investigated various texture-based background modeling techniques, including local binary/ternary patterns, to handle lighting changes at dawn in smooth regions for robust long-term monitoring. Comparative analyses have been carried out to examine the efficacy of different background modeling approaches on the sleep monitoring system.

Can modifications to the bedroom environment improve the sleep of new parents? Two randomized controlled trials

Postpartum sleep disruption is common among new parents. In this randomized controlled trial we evaluated a modified sleep hygiene intervention for new parents (infant proximity, noise masking, and dim lighting) in anticipation of night-time infant care. Two samples of new mothers (n = 118 and 122) were randomized to the experimental intervention or attention control, and sleep was assessed in late pregnancy and first 3 months postpartum using actigraphy and the General Sleep Disturbance Scale. The sleep hygiene strategies evaluated did not benefit the more socioeconomically advantaged women or their partners in Sample 1, but did improve postpartum sleep among the less advantaged women of Sample 2. Simple changes to the bedroom environment can improve sleep for new mothers with few resources.

A Study on Bedroom Environment and Sleep Quality in Korea

The purpose of this study was to investigate both the sleep environment and sleep quality in bedrooms. It was also to reveal the relationship between sleep environment and sleep quality, and to study its seasonal changes in winter, spring, and summer. The subjects for this study were 24 women who lived in apartments in Seoul and its environs. We conducted two groups of measurements. One group considered elements of the sleep environment: mean radiant temperature, air temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, illumination, and equivalent noise level. The other looked at elements of sleep quality: the apnea— hypopnea index, and inspiratory flow limitation (as %FL), which were measured simultaneously while subjects were asleep. Results showed first, that people were exposed to a variety of problems when asleep, related to their sleep environment such as too low or high air temperatures, or relative humidity and high CO2 concentrations. Second, these were seasonally dependant and people slept best during spring, then winter, and then summer. Third, the effect of the sleep environment on sleep quality varied with age.

Messages from the Aalst Allergy Study

The prevalence of sensitization and allergic disease has increased significantly worldwide. The aim of the "Aalst Allergy Study" was to document prevalences of sensitization and allergic symptoms, and to evaluate the effect of personal and environmental influences on these prevalences in an unbiased Belgian pediatric population. A cross-sectional study was performed in an unbiased population of 2021 Belgian schoolchildren (3.4-14.8 years). Skin prick testing with the most common aeroallergens was performed. Allergic symptoms as well as potential risk factors for sensitization and allergic disease were documented by a parental questionnaire. The prevalence of sensitization to the most common aeroallergens and the prevalence of allergic diseases (eczema, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis) were in line with the data in the literature. The association of current allergic symptoms with sensitization was only significant in the children aged > or =6 years. Age, gender, body mass index, bedroom environment and exposure to pets were the factors significantly associated with sensitization and allergic symptoms. Our study corroborates the reported prevalences of sensitization and allergic diseases. Moreover the study illustrates the complexity of the search for factors involved in the process of sensitization and allergic disease. The impact of different potential causative factors is not only influenced by mutual interactions of these factors, but also by the existence of distinct subtypes of disease.

Impact of a controlled heated breathing tube humidifier on sleep quality during CPAP therapy in a cool sleeping environment

There are conflicting data on the effect of adding a heated humidifier to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The effects of heated humidification on sleep quality and treatment side-effects for patients who prefer a cold bedroom environment have not been studied. A randomised, controlled crossover trial involving 19 patients with a first-ever diagnosis of OSAS measured the effect of conventional heated humidification added to CPAP compared with a controlled heated breathing tube humidifier (ThermoSmart(R); Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Auckland, New Zealand) on sleep quality. During the night in the sleep laboratory at a mean room temperature of 14 degrees C, less condensation formed with the controlled heated breathing tube humidifier (1.9 mL versus 35.3 mL) in the delivery system. In addition, the total sleep time, time spent in sleep stages 3 and 4, and rapid eye movement sleep phases were significantly longer and the overall side-effect score was lower than with conventional heated humidification. Patients on nasal continuous positive airway pressure desiring a cool bedroom temperature could benefit from controlled heated breathing tube humidification technology (with inputs from ambient temperature, set pressure and flow).

Two in a bed: the social system of couple bed sharing

Two in a bed: the social system of couple bed sharing

Prospective comparison of subjective arousal during the pre‐sleep period in primary sleep‐onset insomnia and normal sleepers

Psychophysiological insomnia (PI) is the most common insomnia subtype, representing 12-15% of all sleep centre referrals. Diagnostic guidelines describe PI as an intrinsic sleep disorder involving both hyperarousal and learned sleep-preventing associations. Whilst evidence for the first component is reasonably compelling, evidence for learned (conditioned) sleep effects is markedly lacking. Indeed, to date no study has attempted to capture directly the conditioned arousal effect assumed to characterize the disorder. Accordingly, the present study explored variations in subjective arousal over time in 15 PI participants (sleep onset type) and 15 normal sleepers (NS). Self-report measures of cognitive arousal, somatic arousal and sleepiness were taken at three time points: 3 h before bedtime (early to mid-evening); 1 h before bedtime (late evening); and in the bedroom at lights out (bedtime) across four, 24-h cycles. Fluctuations in mean arousal and sleepiness values, and in day-to-day variation were examined using analyses of variance. Participants with PI were significantly more cognitive aroused and significantly less sleepy relative to NS, within the bedroom environment. These results support the tenet of conditioned mental arousal to the bedroom, although competing explanations cannot be ruled out. Results are discussed with reference to extant insomnia models.

Prevalence of toxin producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus in a pediatric burns unit

The aims of the study were to determine the sites in a pediatric burns unit that were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus. Samples from the environment in bedrooms and the common room were taken monthly for 6 months using blood agar for total counts and Baird-Parker agar for S. aureus. The air was sampled using an air-sampling device and settle plates. Hard and soft surfaces including bed, blanket, sofa, chair, taps, bathtub, soft toys, locker and cupboard in the same rooms were sampled using contact plates. Swabs were taken from staff monthly for 3 months. S. aureus isolates were tested for production of enterotoxins A–D and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 using a reverse passive latex agglutination test. The results showed that S. aureus was recovered more frequently using settle plates than using the air sampler. All surfaces sampled were contaminated with S. aureus and contamination was greatest in frequently occupied rooms. A variety of toxin producing isolates were found with enterotoxin C isolates, either alone or in combination with TSST-1 (toxic shock syndrome toxin-1) dominant. The staff were transiently colonised with S. aureus strains with a different toxin production pattern. The results show that airborne transmission may be a route for infection by S. aureus and is responsible for contaminating the environment.

Sleep-Related Attentional Bias in Good, Moderate, and Poor (Primary Insomnia) Sleepers.

Evidence was sought of an attentional bias toward a highly representative object of the bedroom environment in good, moderate, and poor (primary insomnia) sleepers. Using a flicker paradigm for inducing change blindness, the authors briefly presented a single scene comprising a group of bedroom environment and neutral objects to participants and then briefly replaced this scene with an identical scene containing a change made to either a bedroom environment or a neutral object. In a 3 x 2 entirely between-participants design, change-detection latencies revealed a sleep-related attentional bias in poor sleepers but not in good sleepers. A possible bias in moderate sleepers was also revealed. It is suggested that attentional bias has a role in the perpetuation and possibly precipitation of primary insomnia.

A queationnaire on sleep and bed room environments of the erderly in summer and winter

A queationnaire on sleep and bed room environments of the erderly in summer and winter

Impact and correlates of poor sleep quality in Japanese white-collar employees.

This study estimated the prevalence, examined associated impacts, and identified correlated factors of poor sleep quality among Japanese white-collar employees who were working in a labor market that included extensive downsizing and restructuring. A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted as part of 2 consecutive studies on sleep. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. A telecommunications company in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Of 5,924 workers, 5,090 responded (85.9%). Results from 4,868 daytime employees were analyzed. N/A. The 1-month point prevalence of poor sleep quality was approximately 30% to 45% across age and gender and was significantly higher than in the general population of Japanese adults. The overall prevalence of absenteeism, poor physical and psychological health, problems in work performance and personal relationships, and accidents were 16.5%, 18.3%, 17.3%, 2.5%, 2.1%, and 1.8%, respectively. Poor sleepers were more likely to take sick leave, suffer from poor physical and psychological health, and have problems in occupational activities and personal relationships. The most strongly associated factor underlying poor sleep quality was perceived stress, followed by job dissatisfaction, being unmarried, poor bedroom environment, lower academic attainment, younger age, and hypertension. This study suggests that the cost related to poor sleep quality is extremely high. Comprehensive countermeasures against poor sleep quality at not only the individual, but also the organizational and societal levels, need to be considered for both employees and employers in order that health, safety, and productivity are ensured.

Sleep hygiene or compensatory sleep practices: An examination of behaviours affecting sleep in older adults

The purpose of this research was to examine differences in levels of compensatory (sleep hygiene) sleep practices between older insomniacs and older 'normal sleepers'. Two assumptions were tested. First, that compensatory sleep practices differentiate insomniacs from normal sleepers and second, that these practices relate to the long-term maintenance of chronic insomnia. The participants were 414 older adults who responded to an advertisement in a periodical targeted at older people. They were given a questionnaire to determine their insomnia status, use of compensatory practices and levels of daytime sleepiness. A series of chi-square analyses, t -tests and regression analyses showed both assumptions to be predominantly false. There were however relationships between pre-sleep cognitive activity, irregular sleep patterns, use of medication, and a noisy bedroom environment with insomnia classification. In addition, caffeine use after 2pm was associated with a longer duration of insomnia. The results are discussed in relation to sleep medicine education, interventions for older people in primary care settings, and recent models of insomnia.

Increasing asthma knowledge and changing home environments for Latino families with asthmatic children

We tested an asthma education program in 204 underserved Latino families with an asthmatic child. The education program consisted of one or two sessions delivered in each family’s home in the targeted participant’s preferred language by a bilingual, bicultural educator. We encouraged, but did not require, attendance by the child. The curriculum was culturally-tailored, and all participants received education on understanding asthma, preventing asthma attacks, and managing asthma. Outcomes included change in asthma knowledge and change in home environment asthma management procedures. Asthma knowledge increased significantly (39 to 50% correct from pre- to post-test, P<0.001) and participants made significant changes to the child’s bedroom environment (mean number of triggers decreased from 2.4 to 1.8, P<0.001; mean number of controllers increased from 0.7 to 0.9, P<0.001). The results support the value of asthma education and its importance in the national agenda to reduce health disparities among minorities.

Epidemiological study on sleep habits and insomnia of new outpatients visiting general hospitals in Japan.

A large scale epidemiological survey of sleep habits, specifically for insomnia, was conducted using 6277 new outpatients from 11 general hospitals in Japan. They were requested to answer a questionnaire newly designed for this study, which consisted of 34 questions concerning sociodemographic characteristics, current medical conditions, sleep habits, current or past sleep complaints, symptoms of parasomnia, use of hypnotics/anxiolytics and other aspects of daily life. Insomnia was the focus of analysis using chi2 statistics and, additionally, logistic regression to explore the predictors of insomnia. Bedtime was 23:30 and wake-up time was 6:35 on average, with a mean sleep time of 6.77 h on weekdays. The number of subjects with current sleep complaints was 1276, of which 735 (11.7% of the total sample) had insomnia lasting for 1 month or more. Only 37.6% of those were taking hypnotics and/or anxiolytics. Old age, female sex, neurology, psychiatry, early bedtime, late wake-up time, living alone and dissatisfaction with the bedroom environment for sleep were found to be associated with long-term insomnia. This study helps to provide a framework for further studies using the general population.

Socioeconomic status and race as risk factors for cockroach allergen exposure and sensitization in children with asthma

BACKGROUND: The domestic cockroach has been identified as an important source of indoor aeroallergens worldwide in both temperate and tropical climates. Because cockroach populations are highest in crowded urban areas, some have suggested that the increased asthma morbidity and mortality rates in inner cities could be related in part to cockroach allergen exposure. We have examined cockroach allergen exposure in the homes of children with asthma in both urban and suburban locations and have related the rates of exposure and sensitization to socioeconomic, racial, and demographic factors. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to determine the independent contribution of race, socioeconomic status, and place of residence to the risk of cockroach allergen exposure and sensitization in children with asthma. METHODS: Eighty-seven children with moderate to severe allergic asthma, aged 5 to 17 years, participating in a prospective trial of immunotherapy, were evaluated. Extracted dust samples from three home locations were analyzed by using two-site monoclonal immunoassays for major cockroach allergens (Bla g 1 and Bla g 2). A puncture skin test with a mixed cockroach allergen extract was performed in 81 of the 87 subjects. RESULTS: In the 87 homes evaluated, 26% of the bedroom dust samples had detectable levels of cockroach allergen. In homes with detectable bedroom cockroach allergen levels, mean Bla g 1 and Bla g 2 concentrations in urban and suburban homes were similar. Over 80% of children with bedroom Bla g 1 or Bla g 2 of 1 U/gm or greater demonstrated skin sensitivity to cockroach allergen. The rate of cockroach sensitization was directly related to the level of bedroom exposure. African-American race was the only factor that was independently associated with cockroach allergen exposure (p = 0.05). Lower socioeconomic status, age greater than 11 years, cockroach exposure, and African-American race were all independently associated with cockroach allergen sensitization on the basis of stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: African-American race and low socioeconomic status were both independent, significant risk factors for cockroach allergen sensitization in children with atopic asthma. Cockroach allergen is detectable throughout the house, including the critical bedroom environment. (J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL 1996;97:1393-1401.)

Voice-actuated, speaker-dependent control system for hospital bed

A voice-actuated environmental operator system of the kind which enables a user/patient to use simple voice commands to control a plurality of hospital environment room functions including operation of selected bed movement and room environment functions associated with a provided multi-function hospital bed. The operator system uses a conventional IBM PC, XT, AT or like computer which has been adapted for interfacing in a pass-through manner with the control unit of a provided hospital bed. The computer includes a voice card and associated voice recognition and training software for interpreting and translating voice input into digital information readable by a controller card for operating a plurality of bed motor and room function commands. The controller card includes a plurality of relay switch devices, each of which are dedicated to performing a specific bed movement or room function. An FCC registered data access arrangement is also provided to the controller card for telephone interface capability. In a first embodiment, data communication between the computer and the provided hospital bed's control unit is by pass-through hard wire cable interface connection between bed control unit and the DB9 and DB15 serial port connectors on the back of the computer. The DB9 and DB15 serial port connectors are desoddered off the computer's motherboard and wired directly to the controller board. A headset microphone assembly wearable by a patient user is provided to the system for transmitting voice input to said voice recognition means and receiving system command confirmation signals and telephone communications.

Sleep and bed-room environment--on the correlation between the seasonal changes in bed climate and sleep

Sleep and bed-room environment--on the correlation between the seasonal changes in bed climate and sleep

The bedroom.

The bedroom has hitherto escaped systematic human factors examination. In summarizing design-related research and development to date, this article first reviews each of the major and minor activities of bedroom users, particularly sleeping (including lying behavior), sexual activity, housekeeping, sitting, and observing. Then in similar fashion it looks at design characteristics, first of the bedroom environment, then of the bed. The former include size, sound, illumination, temperature, ventilation, decor, furnishings, and interroom relationships. Among the latter are bed coverings, length, width, height, space underneath, weight, capacity, location, construction of bedsteads, construction of mattresses, inclination, and of particular interest, firmness. Most of the research reported has been completely unknown to those in the human factors field. Needs for more research and development are obvious.