Australasian Sleep Conference Adelaide Convention Centre, Conference Highlights, 2nd October

Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 01 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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New research demonstrates greater link between sleep and memory (media conference 12.40pm Adelaide Convention Centre)
Robert Stickgold, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

New evidence suggests memory processing is more dependent on good sleep habits than previously thought. This latest research moves the study of the effect of sleep on memory from beyond that of sleep having a stabilising function into the realm where a person's memory processing is actually sleep-dependent. Media release available

Do pilots get a good night's sleep in on-board facilities?
Greg Roach, University of South Australia

A study of over 400 long haul airline pilots has found sleep obtained in on-board rest facilities has approximately 70% the restorative value of bed sleeps. The study compared the restorative value of sleep obtained in on-board facilities with sleep obtained at home in bed.

Sleep clinic patients have more motor vehicle crashes
Kim Ward, University of Western Australia

A significantly higher number of sleep clinic patients report motor vehicle crashes compared to the general population. The West Australian study found twenty eight percent of patients also reported falling asleep at the wheel, and 26% reported at least one 'near miss' car crash due to sleepiness.

Children's sleep habits identify daytime behaviour differences
Debra Sandford, University of South Australia

Children displaying 'elevated' behaviour profiles have significantly higher symptoms of initiating and maintaining sleep, sleep-wake transition problems, excessive morning and daytime sleepiness and reported snoring. This study is the first to examine Australian children's sleep over a two week period in the 6-8 year age group.

30 minute nap during night shift can help fight sleepiness
Nicole Lovato, Flinders University

A South Australian study looks at the benefits of a nap during night shift as a potential countermeasure against the dangerous sleepiness workers face. It has found that when a 2 hour prophylactic sleep is allowed in the afternoon, a 30 minute nap during a night shift is a significant countermeasure against sleepiness.

The sleep patterns of Australian children revealed
Tim Olds, University of South Australia

The results of a six year study looking at the sleep patterns of over 4,000 Australian children will be presented. The study looked at the associations between sleep and sociodemographic factors [age, sex, socio-economic status (SES)], temporal context (type of day, season), type of day (school day, weekend, holiday), and individual characteristics (weight status). The presentation will cover: How long is it "normal" for a child to sleep?; Is television keeping kids awake?; The link between sleep and obesity; and "Catch-up" sleep

Australasian Sleep Association Conference