scholarly journals Long weekend sleep is linked to stronger academic performance in male but not female pharmacy students

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-357
Author(s):  
Rehana Khan Leak ◽  
Susan L. Weiner ◽  
Manisha N. Chandwani ◽  
Diane C. Rhodes

Poor sleep hygiene portends loss of physical and mental stamina. Therefore, maintaining a regular sleep/wake schedule on both weekdays and weekends is highly recommended. However, this advice runs contrary to the habits of university students who sleep late on weekends. Pharmacy students at Duquesne University sit for frequent examinations, typically commencing at 7:30 AM, and they complain about mental fatigue. Here, we tested the central hypothesis that longer sleep durations on both weekdays and weekends are linked to stronger academic performance in men and women. Students in their first professional year were administered three surveys to collect data on sleep habits and factors that might influence sleep, such as roommates, long commute times, and sleep interruptions. Grade point averages (GPAs) were collected from the Dean’s office, with individual permissions from the students. Longer weekend—but not weekday—sleep durations were significantly correlated with higher cumulative GPAs in men and not in women. Women achieved slightly higher cumulative GPAs than men. Students who fell asleep within 15 min of going to bed had higher professional-phase GPAs than those who fell asleep after an hour or more. Our observations cannot establish causal links, but, given the body of prior evidence on the salutary properties of sleep, men may reap more benefit from recovery sleep on weekends. Rather than recommending that students force themselves awake early on weekends in an attempt to maintain a consistent sleep routine, the real-life habits of students should also be given consideration.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehana Khan Leak ◽  
Susan L. Weiner ◽  
Manisha N. Chandwani ◽  
Diane C. Rhodes

AbstractIntroductionPoor sleep hygiene portends loss of physical and mental stamina. Therefore, maintaining a regular sleep/wake schedule on both weekdays and weekends is highly recommended. However, this advice runs contrary to the habits of university students, who may only experience recovery sleep if they sleep late on weekends. Pharmacy students at Duquesne University sit for frequent examinations, typically commencing at 7:30 AM, and they complain about fatigue. Here, we tested the central hypothesis that longer sleep durations on weekdays and weekends are linked to stronger academic performance in Pharmacy students.MethodsStudents in their first professional year were administered three surveys to collect data on sleep habits and factors that might influence sleep, such as roommates, long commute times, and sleep interruptions. GPAs were collected from the Dean’s office, with permission from the students.ResultsLonger weekend—but not weekday—sleep durations were significantly correlated with higher cumulative GPAs in men and not in women. Women achieved slightly higher cumulative GPAs than men. Students who fell asleep within 15 minutes of going to bed had higher professional-phase GPAs than those who fell asleep after an hour or more.ConclusionOur observations cannot establish causal links, but, given the body of prior evidence on the salutary properties of sleep, men in this cohort may reap benefit from recovery sleep on weekends. Rather than recommending that students force themselves awake early on weekends in an attempt to maintain a consistent sleep routine, the real-life habits of students should be given consideration.


Healthcare ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Morgane Masse ◽  
Héloïse Henry ◽  
Elodie Cuvelier ◽  
Claire Pinçon ◽  
Margot Pavy ◽  
...  

Many older adults take benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics for the treatment of sleep disorders. With a view to considering the possible discontinuation of hypnotics, the objectives of the present study were to describe bedtime habits and sleep patterns in older adults and to identify the sleep medications taken. An expert group developed a structured interview guide for assessing the patients’ bedtime habits, sleep patterns, and medications. During an internship in a community pharmacy, 103 sixth-year pharmacy students conducted around 10 interviews each with older adults (aged 65 or over) complaining of sleep disorders and taking at least one of the following medications: benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine derivatives (“Z-drugs”), antihistamines, and melatonin. A prospective, observational study was carried out from 4 January to 30 June 2016. The pharmacy students performed 960 interviews (with 330 men and 630 women; mean ± standard deviation age: 75.1 ± 8.8). The most commonly taken hypnotics were the Z-drugs zolpidem (n = 465, 48%) and zopiclone (n = 259, 27%). The vast majority of patients (n = 768, 80%) had only ever taken a single hypnotic medication. The median [interquartile range] prescription duration was 120 (48–180) months. About 75% (n = 696) of the patients had at least 1 poor sleep habit, and over 41% (n = 374) had 2 or more poor sleep habits. A total of 742 of the patients (77%) reported getting up at night—mainly due to nycturia (n = 481, 51%). Further, 330 of the patients (35%) stated that they were keen to discontinue their medication, of which 96 (29%) authorized the pharmacist to contact their family physician and discuss discontinuation. In France, pharmacy students and supervising community pharmacists can identify problems related to sleep disorders by asking simple questions about the patient’s sleep patterns. Together with family physicians, community pharmacists can encourage patients to discuss their hypnotic medications.


2021 ◽  
pp. 705-712
Author(s):  
Usman Abubakar ◽  
Nur Ain Shafiqah Mohd Azli ◽  
Izzatil Aqmar Hashim ◽  
Nur Fatin Adlin Kamarudin ◽  
Nur Ain Izzati Abdul Latif ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate academic resilience and investigate its relationship with academic performance among undergraduate pharmacy students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students in a public university in Malaysia using an adapted and pretested 16-item academic pharmacy resilience scale (APRS-16). Demographic and academic performance data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire from December 2019 and January 2020 and analysed using descriptive and inferential analyses. Results: A total of 247 students completed the survey (response rate was 55.6%). Overall, the students had moderate academic resilience score (median: 59; interquartile range [IQR]: 37 – 80). Female students had significantly higher academic resilience score than males (60 [41 – 80] versus 56 [37 – 69]). Academic resilience score was higher among year one students (62 [42 – 74]) compared to year two (57.5 [37 – 80]), year three (59 [37 – 78]) and year four (58 [44 – 77]) students. There was a positive relationship between academic resilience score and students’ cumulative grade point average (CGPA) (r = 0.250) and GPA (r = 0.154). Conclusion: Undergraduate pharmacy students have moderate academic resilience. Academic resilience varies based on gender and year of study, and it is significantly associated with academic performance.


Author(s):  
John Okogbaa ◽  
Rondall E. Allen ◽  
Daniel F. Sarpong

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of time spent at work (workload) on the academic performance of pharmacy students. A cross-sectional 12-item survey was administered to pharmacy students at the end of the spring 2011 semester to primarily assess the type of employment and their weekly workload during the 2010–2011 academic year. Academic performance was determined by semester and cumulative grade point average (GPA). Descriptive statistics were performed. Stratified multiple linear regression models were obtained to assess the association between students’ workload and GPA. Analysis of covariance was used to compare academic performance by workload after accounting for work type and potential covariates. Statistical significance was defined a priori as p < 0.05. For both fall and spring semesters, nonpharmacy-related work was significant and positively associated with GPA. Both semester GPAs were fairly similar among three student classifications (P1–P3). However, GPAs across both semesters varied by classification. The negative association of workload on GPA was significant in the fall but not in the spring semester. Although workload matters, future studies using a mixed-method approach might help explain the role of workload on the academic performance of pharmacy during the first three years of their professional training.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A71-A72
Author(s):  
Gianna Rea-Sandin ◽  
Reagan Breitenstein ◽  
Leah Doane ◽  
Emily Vakulskas ◽  
Carlos Valiente ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Elementary-aged children in low socioeconomic environments are more likely to experience poor sleep, which can negatively impact academic performance. However, it is unknown whether early-life socioeconomic status (SES) influences associations between sleep and academic achievement later in childhood. Using a demographically diverse sample of children followed longitudinally from 1 to 8 years, we tested linear and nonlinear associations between actigraphy-based sleep duration, midpoint time, sleep duration variability, and parent-reported sleep problems with academic achievement. In addition, we examined whether these associations varied by early SES. Methods The sample comprised 707 twins (52% female; Mage=8.44 years; 28.7% Hispanic/Latinx; 29.7% at or below the poverty line). SES was ascertained at 1 and 8 years, and children wore actigraph watches to assess sleep for 7 nights (Mnights=6.79) and completed the Applied Math, Picture Vocabulary, and Passage Comprehension subtests of the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Achievement. Primary caregivers also reported on their children’s sleep and academic performance (Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire and Health and Behavior Questionnaire, respectively). Results Sleep was not linearly related to academic achievement, but there was a significant quadratic association between sleep midpoint with Picture Vocabulary (b=0.28, p&lt;.01) and Passage Comprehension (b=0.17, p&lt;.05). More parent-reported sleep problems were negatively related to Applied Problems performance for lower (b=-1.16, p&lt;.001) and positively associated for higher early SES (b = 1.00, p &lt; .01). More parent-reported sleep problems predicted lower Passage Comprehension for lower (b = -0.59, p &lt; .05), but not higher early SES. Longer sleep duration predicted higher parent-reported academic achievement for lower early SES (b=0.14, p&lt;.01) and lower achievement for higher early SES (b=-0.23, p&lt;.001). Conclusion Our findings illustrate the complex, sometimes nonlinear associations between children’s sleep and academic performance. Many associations varied by early-life SES, suggesting that early childhood environments have long-lasting implications for child functioning, over and above the effect of concurrent SES. Increasing the quantity and quality of children’s sleep could improve academic outcomes, particularly for children who have experienced socioeconomic disadvantage. Support (if any) This research was supported by grants from NICHD (R01HD079520 and R01HD086085) and ASU T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics.


Author(s):  
Mohd Soffi Puteh ◽  
Nurul Ezhawati Abdul Latif ◽  
Nooriha Mansor ◽  
Yusnaliza Hamid ◽  
Sunarti Halid ◽  
...  

Since Graduate on Time (GOT) being introduced as one of their key performance indicators (KPIs), certain higher education institutions are facing with situation where students are unable to complete their studies within the specified time frame. Various learning approaches have been adopted by educators in their effort to enhance students’ examination results so as to assist them to graduate on time. Studies by Tan and Laswad (2015) and Davidson (2002) have proven that learning approaches do significantly give an impact to academic performances, while Djajadikerta et al. (2008) and Chan (2011) have shown otherwise. Hence, this study is performed in order to provide further evidences concerning learning approaches and their impact onto students’ academic performance, i.e. their examination grades. Using Biggs’ (1987a) Study Process Questionnaire, 208 completed questionnaires are obtained from final semester students of Diploma in Accountancy from Faculty of Accountancy, UiTM Perak Branch, Tapah Campus. Data pertaining to their previous semesters’ grades are obtained from the online academic system and analyses are performed using SPSS. The result reveals a significant positive relationship between learning approaches and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), and it has definitely add credence to the body of knowledge pertaining this matter.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Montagnese ◽  
Lisa Zarantonello ◽  
Chiara Formentin ◽  
Gianluca Giusti ◽  
Chiara Mangini ◽  
...  

The aims of the present study were to obtain sleep quality and sleep timing information in a group of university students, and to evaluate the effects of a circadian hygiene education initiative. All students of the University of Padova (approximately 64,000) were contacted by e-mail (major campaigns in October 2019 and October 2020) and directed to an ad hoc website for collection of demographics and sleep quality/timing information. Participants (n=5740) received one of two sets of circadian hygiene advice ('A regular life' or 'Bright days and dark nights'). Every month, they were then asked how easy it had been to comply, and provided with the advice again. At any even month from joining, they completed the sleep quality/timing questionnaires again. Information on academic performance was obtained post hoc, together with representative samples of lecture (n=5972) and exam (n=1800) timings, plus lecture attendances (n=25,302). 52% of students had poor sleep quality and 82% showed signs of sleep deprivation. Those who joined in October 2020, after several months of lockdown and distance learning, had better sleep quality, less sleep deprivation and later sleep habits. The 'Bright days and dark nights' advice resulted in earlier get-up time/midsleep compared to the 'A regular life' advice. Significant changes in most sleep quality and sleep timing variables were observed in both advice groups over time, also in relation to pandemic-related events characterising 2020. Early-chronotype students had better academic performances compared to their later chronotype counterparts. In a multivariate model, sleep quality, chronotype and study subject were independent predictors of academic performance. Taken together, these results underlie the importance of designing circadian-friendly university timetables.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A119-A119
Author(s):  
Alexandria Reynolds ◽  
Madelynn Shell

Abstract Introduction There is considerable research demonstrating poor sleep patterns in college students; however, few studies actually examine sleep stability over a typical undergraduate career. Considering that the transition to college involves significant shifts in independence and potentially creating a foundation of lifelong behavioral patterns, it is important to identify whether these poor sleep patterns change throughout college. Additionally, studies show that shorter sleep duration predicts poorer academic performance. In the current study, it was expected that students would report poor sleep on average, and that poorer sleep would predict worse academic performance. Methods Participants included 27 full-time first-year undergraduate students who completed an online survey every spring for four years to examine sleep habits as part of a larger longitudinal study on the transition to college at a small liberal arts school. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency, and quality; the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to determine sleepiness. Semester GPA was obtained via college registrar records. Results Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed no differences in participants’ sleep variables (TST, sleep quality, sleep efficiency, and sleepiness) across all four time points. Average TST was 6.85 hours per night, and overall sleep quality (PSQI) was poor (M = 6.12). Mean sleep efficiency was 86.70%; mean ESS score was 5.35. Preliminary analyses revealed no significant differences between GPA values over the course of the four years; sleep factors did not predict GPA. Conclusion Overall, students reported short sleep, poor sleep quality, decent sleep efficiency, and borderline higher than normal daytime sleepiness. However, sleep factors and GPA were stable over all time points. These results suggest that poor sleep habits start early and continue throughout students’ college career, as opposed to developing throughout college, or starting out poor and improving. Surprisingly, preliminary results indicated that sleep factors did not predict academic performance. Limitations include subjective sleep assessments, limited testing, and small sample size; however, this longitudinal study sheds interesting light on the general sleep patterns of college students over the course of their entire academic career. Support (if any) None.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
Inga Narbute ◽  
Sanda Jegere ◽  
Indulis Kumsars ◽  
Dace Juhnevica ◽  
Agnese Knipse ◽  
...  

Together with calcified lesions, saphenous vein grafts, chronic total occlusions and unprotected left main lesions, bifurcation lesions are complex lesions that remain among the outstanding challenges of treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention. Bifurcation lesions are associated with increased rates of procedural complications, restenosis and adverse events than lesions in the body of the vessel. The introduction of drug-eluting stents for the treatment of bifurcation lesions has dramatically decreased restenosis rates, especially in patients suffering from diabetes. However, abrupt side branch closure, side branch ostial restenosis and stent thrombosis remain areas where further improvement is needed. Although a provisional T-stent strategy is most often used when side branch stenting is required, there are true bifurcation lesions where the selected use of more complex bifurcation approaches (such as the crush technique, T-stenting or the culotte technique) seem appropriate, particularly when the main branch and side branch are larger vessels with more diffuse side branch disease. The major challenge with any technique is to ensure that the side branch is protected and there is a satisfactory final result. Many technical questions rise in trying to ensure this outcome and lower the risk of intra- and post-procedural complications such as side branch closure and restenosis, stent thrombosis, dissection and fracture of a jailed wire: how can difficult side branch access be solved? How can unfavourable side branch anatomy be re-wired after main vessel stent placement? How can fracture of a jailed wire be avoided? Is side-strut dilation beneficial?


NASPA Journal ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kellah M. Edens

College students are sleeping less during the week than reported a few years ago. Lack of sleep among college students has been identified as one of the top three healthrelated impediments to academic performance by the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment survey; and it is associated with lower grades, incompletion of courses, as well as negative moods. This research examines the underlying dynamics of lack of sleep on academic motivation, a key predictor of academic performance. Specifically, the relationship of sleep habits with self-efficacy, performance versus mastery goal orientation, persistence, and tendency to procrastinate were investigated. Findings indicate that 42% of the participants (159 students out of a total of 377) experience excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS); and those identified with EDS tend: (1) to be motivated by performance goals rather than mastery goals; (2) to engage in procrastination (a self-handicapping strategy) to a greater extent than students who are rested; and (3) to have decreased self-efficacy, as compared to students not reporting EDS. Several recommendations for campus health professionals to consider for a Healthy Campus Initiative are made based on the findings.


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