ELECTRONIC MEDIA TAKING ITS TOLL ON TEENS

(VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA, November 1, 2010)—New research shows that texting or surfing the Internet before going to sleep may impact more than just the ability of a child or teenager to fall asleep. The study, presented at CHEST 2010, the 76th annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), shows that mood and cognitive problems during the daytime may be apparent in more than half of children who use electronic media before bedtime.

"Children who engage in pre-bedtime use of technology have a high rate of daytime problems, which can include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, and learning difficulties," said Peter G. Polos, MD, PhD, FCCP, lead study author, JFK Medical Center, Edison, NJ. "This is in addition to nighttime problems, such as excessive movements, insomnia, and leg pain."

To study the effects of sleep time-related information and communication technology (STRICT) on sleep patterns and daytime functioning in children and adolescents, Dr. Polos and his colleagues analyzed responses from 40 students, aged 8 to 22 years, who completed a modified version of the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire from September 2009 to May 2010. The analysis showed that more than 77 percent of the students had persistent problems getting to sleep. The average number of times a student was awakened by communication technology was once per night. Among adolescents, older age correlated with later bedtimes and more time spent using electronic media.

"Sleep is largely habitual in nature," said Dr. Polos. "If children begin this type of behavior, they may set themselves up for the need for external stimulation before sleep later in life. The effects of this can include sleep-onset insomnia, insufficient sleep, and daytime sleepiness. More research is needed to determine all of the short- and long-term consequences."

Researchers also found gender differences in the type of technology preferred at bedtime. Boys were more likely to surf the Internet and play online games, whereas girls were more likely to text message and use cell phones. Among the children, the average number of texts/e-mails sent per night was 33.5. The average monthly number of sleep-time texts sent per person was 3,404, which occurred over a range of 10 minutes to 4 hours after bedtime.

"One of the most surprising findings of our research was the average number of texts and e-mails sent per night. It is significant that these children are engaging in stimulating activity when they should be in an environment to promote sleep," said Dr. Polos.

Healthy sleep habits are especially important as the school year progresses, and many parents wonder what they should do to help their kids.

"Using cell phones or computers, or surfing the Internet, with all the graphics and rapid responses, is more addictive, seductive, and interactive than passively watching television, said Dr. Polos. "The sooner parents establish appropriate times for children to use this technology, the better. They may also want to move key items, such as computers, from a child’s bedroom into a common area."

"The prevalence of insomnia and other sleep disorders is cause for great concern, given their potential consequences on a child’s ability to function in school," said David Gutterman, MD, FCCP, President of the American College of Chest Physicians. "Research shows that the problem is increasing, so it is more important than ever for physicians to ask questions about technology use when evaluating children for sleep issues."

CHEST 2010 is the 76th annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, held October 30 - November 4 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The ACCP represents 18,000 members who provide patient care in the areas of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine in the United States and throughout the world. The mission of the ACCP is to promote the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research. For more information about the ACCP, please visit the ACCP Web site at www.chestnet.org.