Effect of religous practices of Ramadan on sleep and perceived sleepiness of medical students

Margolis, Stephen A., and Reed, Richard L. (2004) Effect of religous practices of Ramadan on sleep and perceived sleepiness of medical students. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 16 (2). pp. 145-149.

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Abstract

Background: Observant Muslims substantially alter their normal routines, including daytime fasting and day-night activity patterns during the month of Ramadan.

Purpose: It is unknown whether observing the religious practices of Ramadan impacts negatively on daytime somnolence, a factor known to impair learning.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey measuring self-reported sleep time and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale of observant Muslim medical students before, during, and after Ramadan.

Results: There was no significant variation in sleep score pre-Ramadan (10.04 ± 3.47), during Ramadan (10.46 ± 3.57), and post Ramadan (9.73 ± 3.33), F(2, 355) = 1.278, p = .280. Night sleep hours were significantly longer both before (6.22 ± 1.45) and after (6.22 ± 1.59) than during Ramadan (5.22 ± 1.85), F(2, 366) = 15.289, p < .001. Daytime sleep hours pre-Ramadan (1.05 ± 1.36) and post Ramadan (0.70 ± 1.21) were significantly shorter than during Ramadan (1.48 ± 1.46; pre: z = 2.654, p = .08; post: z = -4.940, p < .001).

Conclusion: Students successfully adapt and avoid a rise in daytime somnolence by increasing daytime sleep hours during Ramadan.

Item ID: 9449
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1532-8015
Date Deposited: 22 Apr 2010 05:43
FoR Codes: 13 EDUCATION > 1399 Other Education > 139999 Education not elsewhere classified @ 50%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences > 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 50%
SEO Codes: 95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9504 Religion and Ethics > 950404 Religion and Society @ 50%
93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9301 Learner and Learning > 930199 Learner and Learning not elsewhere classified @ 50%
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