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Advanced Neurology PSG findings in young poor sleepers

and received detailed explanations of the sleep laboratory from this night formed the basis for all primary analyses,
procedures. consistent with standard research protocols that utilize
Participants were instructed to maintain their typical second-night data to minimize adaptation effects.
sleep schedules during the week before assessment 2.5. Outcome measures
while completing daily sleep diaries to document their
habitual sleep patterns. This approach allowed for the 2.5.1. Subjective sleep quality assessment
characterization of individual sleep habits while avoiding The PSQI was administered to assess subjective sleep
the potential confounding effects of enforced sleep quality during the month preceding study participation.
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schedule modifications. This validated instrument generates a global score ranging
from 0 to 21, with scores >5 indicating poor sleep quality.
2.4.2. Sleep laboratory environment and The PSQI evaluates seven component scores, such as
standardization
subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration,
The sleep laboratory consisted of specially designed, habitual sleep efficiency (SE), sleep disturbances, use of
soundproof rooms optimized for sleep research. sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction. It has
Environmental conditions were carefully controlled and demonstrated excellent psychometric properties across
standardized across all participants to minimize confounding diverse populations and is widely considered as the gold
variables. Temperature was maintained at room temperature standard for subjective sleep quality assessment.
(23°C ± 1°C) throughout the night using precision climate
control systems, with continuously monitoring through 2.5.2. Objective sleep assessment
digital sensors equipped with data logging capabilities. Polysomnographic assessment was conducted using the
Participants were provided with standardized bedding and RMS-Quest 3251 PSG system (Recorders and Medicare
allowed to adjust the covering based on personal comfort System), a clinical-grade sleep monitoring system meeting
while maintaining the ambient temperature. Lighting was international standards for sleep research applications.
controlled using blackout curtains and dimmable lighting Electrode placement and montage followed the standard
systems. Evening lighting was gradually dimmed beginning 10–20 system for EEG recording, an internationally
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2 h before intended bedtime to support natural circadian recognized method for nocturnal EEG assessment,
rhythms. All indicator lights on monitoring equipment were along with EOG (left and right eye movements) and
covered or dimmed to minimize light exposure. Noise levels EMG (submental/chin muscle activity). The details of
were minimized by locating the sleep laboratory away from the polysomnographic sleep assessment procedure are
high-traffic areas to prevent external noise disturbances. To available in a protocol paper published by the researchers.
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further enhance participant comfort, they were provided All electrophysiological signals were digitized at a
with comfortable and standardized bedding, including 200 Hz sampling rate per the American Academy of
mattresses, pillows, sheets, and blankets, with flexibility for Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommendations. Data were
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minor comfort adjustments. displayed in 30-s epochs throughout recording, consistent
with standard sleep staging protocols. Real-time signal
2.4.3. Two-night protocol implementation
quality monitoring was maintained throughout recording
Following standard polysomnographic protocols to to ensure data integrity.
minimize first-night effects, all participants spent two Sleep staging and analysis: Sleep recordings were
consecutive nights in the sleep laboratory. One the first
night (adaptation night), participants arrived at the sleep manually scored by trained personnel following
laboratory 2–3 h before their typical bedtime to allow current AASM guidelines for sleep staging. The scoring
for electrode application, equipment familiarization, process involved a comprehensive evaluation of sleep
and environmental adaptation. A comprehensive macrostructure using established spectral power variables,
polysomnographic montage was applied, including including (i) delta activity (1–4 Hz), associated with deep
electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG), sleep stages; (ii) theta activity (4–8 Hz), present during
chin electromyogram (EMG), and electrocardiogram. This light sleep and rapid eye movement (REM); and (iii) alpha
night served solely for adaptation purposes, with data used activity (8–12 Hz), characteristic of relaxed wakefulness
only for safety monitoring and first-night effect assessment. (WK); sigma activity (12–16 Hz), representing sleep
spindles associated with N2 sleep stage; and beta activity
On the second night (data collection night), following the
same preparation procedures, participants spent the night (16–30 Hz), associated with active WK.
with a focused montage including EEG, EOG, and chin Sleep parameters analyzed: Comprehensive analysis
EMG electrodes necessary for sleep staging analysis. Data provided the following sleep parameters: total sleep time

Volume 4 Issue 4 (2025) 69 doi: 10.36922/an.8614