Sleep movements and poor sleep in patients with non-specific somatic complaints--I. No first-night effect in poor and good sleepers

J Psychosom Res. 1987;31(5):623-9. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(87)90041-9.

Abstract

To evaluate the possible first-night effect on the nocturnal motor activity 25 poor sleepers and 12 good sleepers slept on the Static Charge Sensitive Bed (SCSB) during two consecutive nights. The frequency of body movements in poor sleepers was almost two times higher than in good sleepers. The method itself was reproducible across two nights. There were no statistically significant and systemic level differences between the nights in the movements in bed (MIB). The difference t-test did not either reveal group differences in the magnitude or direction of changes from night to night. Results are consistent with the view that the level of motor activity is one of the determinants of sleep quality. No first-night effect exists in terms of psychomotor activity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arousal*
  • Beds
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / psychology*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Sleep Stages*
  • Social Environment*