facilitation of sleep-wake rhythm development in infants by inducing a slow rise in the distal-proximal temperature gradient (DPG)

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K11676
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Lifelong developmental nursing
• Research Institution: The Japanese Red Cross Akita College of Nursing
• Principal Investigator: ABE NORIKO 日本赤十字秋田看護大学, 看護学部看護学科, 准教授 (90442011)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 乳児 / 育児 / 睡眠 / 概日リズム / 体温

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to examine the facilitation of sleep-wake rhythm development in infants by inducing a slow rise in the distal-proximal temperature gradient (DPG).
The methods of inducing a slow rise in the DPG were (1) to put socks on the infants after bathing and (2) to adjust the bathing time to roughly 2 or 3 h before the lights were turned off. The results showed that the rate of the slow rise was higher when socks were put on the infants after bathing and heat was retained in the distal areas. The same trend was seen when the time from bathing until the lights were turned off was shortened (90 min). Based on these results, we induced a slow rise in infants who had not yet formed a circadian rhythm and investigated the relationship with sleep-related indicators. The results demonstrated a relationship with shortening of the mean waking hours per waking episode.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学