Effects of a daytime nap in the aged

This study evaluated the effects of the daytime nap on performance, mood an d physiological measures in aged individuals. Participants were six healthy aged persons (M = 72.2 years old) who habitually napped in the afternoon t hree or more times a week. They participated under two conditions with an i nterval of 1 week. In the nap condition, the subjects went to bed at 13:00 h and slept for 30 min, In the rest condition, they just watched television . In both conditions, electroencephalogram (EEG), blood pressure, mood and performance were measured before and after a nap or rest. The daytime nap i mproved performance, decreased subjective sleepiness and fatigue, and atten uated EEG alpha band activity. Moreover, following a nap diastolic blood pr essure significantly decreased. These findings suggest that a habitual dayt ime nap helps aged individuals to maintain their daytime physiological, psy chological and behavioral arousal at an adequate level.