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. 2023 Dec;27(6):2499-2507.
doi: 10.1007/s11325-023-02822-3. Epub 2023 Apr 14.

Positive effects of napping on memory consolidation and resistance against interference

Yajing Wang #  1   2 , Yao Meng #  1 , Ruike Zhang  1 , Jing Du  1 , Yujia Huang  1 , Siqi Zheng  3 , Shuyu Xu  1 , Lei Xiao  1 , Jingzhou Xu  1 , Hao Wang  1 , Tong Su  4 , Yunxiang Tang  5
Affiliations

Positive effects of napping on memory consolidation and resistance against interference

Yajing Wang et al. Sleep Breath. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: This study explored the relationship between naps and memory among habitual nappers in China.

Methods: Medical college students participated and were divided into 30-min, 60-min, and 90-min time-in-bed groups. To evaluate declarative and procedural memory performance, A-B and A-C interfering word pair and interfering finger tapping tasks were employed.

Results: Among 60 students, a significant decrease in the correct recall rate in the declarative task after having a nap was found only in the 30-min group (p = 0.005). After learning interference (A-C word pairs), the correct recall rate for the declarative task decreased significantly in all interference tests (ps < 0.001). In the procedural task, the speed of sequence A in the retests increased after having a nap in all three groups (ps < 0.048), with a significant decrease in accuracy only in the 30-min group (p = 0.042). After learning interference (sequence B) in the procedural task, the speed of sequence A increased in the 60-min group after 1 h (p = 0.049), and both the 60-min and 90-min groups showed increased speed after one night (ps < 0.022). No significant improvement in speed was found in the 30-min group (ps > 0.05), and this group showed the lowest accuracy for sequence A (ps < 0.16).

Conclusion: A habitual nap time-in-bed of 60 or 90 min had better effects on declarative and procedural memory consolidation and better memory resistance against interference in procedural memory.

Keywords: Memory performance; Midday nap; Nap habit; Nap length.

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