Healthy Adults Need Less Sleep as They Age

A new study in the journal SLEEP suggests that healthy older adults have a reduced need for sleep and can expect to be less sleepy during the day than younger adults.

The study, conducted at the Clinical Research Centre of the University of Surrey, involved 110 healthy adults without sleep disorders or sleep complaints. Participants ranged in age from 20 to 83 years old.

Results showed that during a night of eight hours in bed, total sleep time decreased significantly and progressively with age. Older adults (aged 66 to 83 years) slept about 20 minutes less than middle-aged adults (aged 40 to 55 years). Middle-aged adults slept 23 minutes less than young adults (aged 20 to 30 years).

The number of awakenings and the amount of time spent awake after initial sleep onset increased significantly with age, and the amount of time spent in deep sleep decreased across the age groups. Even with decreases in sleep time, intensity and continuity, the older adults in the study were less sleepy during the day.

The study's authors believe that their findings have implications for the treatment of insomnia in older adults, many of whom might be unaware of their reduced sleep needs.

To view the study's abstract, click here.