Research Paper on Sleep Patterns

Introduction

Sleep patterns represent oscillations between the different sleep cycles in human life. For the longest time now, researchers have found that the human brain undergoes various characteristic patterns of activities through each period of sleep. In the involvement of sleep patterns assessment, it could be assessed at numerous levels, for instance, described at various behavioral phases and the brain level. The behavioral level involves the relative movements and awareness and response while the brain level revolves around EEG activity. In other occurrences, sleep can be categorized according to its distribution, that is, by the distribution during the 24 hours along with the quality of sleep. In this paper, I will derive details on the topic of sleep patterns assessment by discussing two articles; Ibanez, Silva, and Cauli (2018) article, "A survey on sleep assessment methods" and Sadeh (2015) article, "III. Sleep assessment methods".

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Summary of The Articles

According to the article by Ibanez, Silva and Cauli (2018), the authors begin by introducing the different reasons for sleep patterns assessment as an essential component in maintaining health check. In the article, Ibanez, Silva, and Cauli (2018) discuss the many sleep assessment methods especially over the last years since new approaches are emerging as a result of new technologies such as mobile applications. In the survey Ibanez, Silva and Cauli (2018) review the present techniques of sleep patterns assessment ranging from simple methods that distinguish sleep states and other methods (such as polysomnography). According to Ibanez, Silva and Cauli (2018), they provide a literature review that aims at summarizing and comparing the present methods of evaluating sleep. Within the details of the article, it classifies the current sleep patterns assessment methods according to given criteria, for example, objective versus subjective, contact versus contactless devices, as well as self-assessment versus the need for medical assistance. For each sleep pattern assessment method, a comparison for studies is made which is identified in the article. Moreover, in the results of the material, it depicts a taxonomy that classifies the different sleep pattern assessment methods. In the involvement of the discussion concerning the article, Ibanez, Silva and Cauli (2018) deliver the associations of the different sleep pattern assessment by arranging them regarding questionnaire and polysomnography.

Similarly, Sadeh (2015) provides an extensive collection of information regarding sleep patterns assessment. In the article, Sadeh (2015) covers most of the conventional methods along with established occurrence that assesses sleep patterns in children and infants. According to Sadeh (2015), sleep pattern assessment methods include polysomnography, sleep diaries, videosomnography, direct observations and actigraphy among others. Within this article, it highlights the different advantages and disadvantages of every sleep pattern assessment method. According to Sadeh (2015), the best way to assess sleep patterns is dependent on what aspects of sleep are relevant to the developmental issues in interest. Through the article, it derives that, sleep can be characterized through numerous dimensions, that could be categorized as; quality, durations, and brain activity. Under each sleep assessment method, Sadeh (2015) delivers a table regarding the process by weighing the advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, the article provides details on the important approach into choosing the appropriate sleep pattern assessment method.

Recommendations of the Articles

Following the high prevalence of sleep disorders, sleep patterns assessment is critical and needs consideration as a routine component of geriatric care. Within the two articles concerning sleep patterns assessment, there is a need for future research. In the article by Ibanez, Silva and Cauli (2018), I would recommend further research aimed at researching the appropriate ways to deliver and develop significant sleep assessment methods. Also, I would advocate a more comprehensive study regarding the different occurrences affecting each method especially in assessing the sleep patterns. Since the article is based on literature reviews, it is critical to ensure the acquisition of primary research. On the other hand, concerning the article by Sadeh (2015), I would also recommend a need for further research (Bloom et al., 2009).

Implications on Current Practice

Nonetheless, there are various implications in the current practice regarding sleep patterns assessments (Irwin et al., 2016). Currently, there are different factors implicating sleep patterns assessment such as technology. Technology has been amongst the different developments affecting the human practice mainly in the involvement with their sleep patterns. Similarly, technology has been able to provide underlying implications to sleep patterns assessments as it is among the current practices in the evaluation of sleep patterns. In most of the involved methods, the current practice is implicating the practice as a result of the changing atmosphere and other underlying advancements (Winter, 2014).

Conclusion

Sleep patterns revolve around the different phases of sleep. In the assessment of the sleep patterns, it is essential to understand the different methods involved (ElSheikh and Sadeh, 2015). Currently, there are newer methods of sleep assessment applicable in the sleep patterns evaluation. For instance, with the different sleep patterns assessments as evaluated by Sadeh (2015), it is critical to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods of evaluations. Moreover, according to Picchioni, Duyn, and Horovitz (2013), the ability to utilize electroencephalogram (EEG) in sleep research holds a much better understanding of the human brain.

References

Bloom, H. G., Ahmed, I., Alessi, C. A., AncoliIsrael, S., Buysse, D. J., Kryger, M. H., ... & Zee, P. C. (2009). Evidencebased suggestions for the assessment and management of sleep disorders in older persons. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 57(5), 761-789.

ElSheikh, M., & Sadeh, A. (2015). I. Sleep and development: an introduction to the monograph. Monographs of the Community for Research in Child Development, 80(1), 1-14.

Ibanez, V., Silva, J., & Cauli, O. (2018). A survey on sleep assessment methods. PeerJ, 6, e4849. doi.10.7717/peerj.4849

Irwin, M. R., Olmstead, R., & Carroll, J. E. (2016). Sleep disturbance, sleep duration, and inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies and experimental sleep deprivation. Biological Psychiatry, 80(1), 40-52.

Picchioni, D., Duyn, J. H., & Horovitz, S. G. (2013). Sleep and functional connectome. Neuroimage, 80, 387-396. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.05.067

Sadeh, A. (2015). III. Sleep assessment methods. Monographs of the Community for Research in Child Development, 80(1), 33-48.

Winter, C. (2014). Personal sleep monitors: do they work? Huffington Post.