A recent study published in *Frontiers in Sleep* examined the correlation between electronic gadget usage, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and working memory among Indian young adults aged 18 to 30 years. The cross-sectional study involved 119 participants who completed a structured online questionnaire gathering socio-demographic information, sleep-wake activity, study habits, gadget usage, and assessments using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).
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Results indicated that 63% of participants reported poor sleep quality, as defined by a global PSQI score exceeding 5. Additionally, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between ESS scores and working memory, suggesting that increased daytime sleepiness is associated with poorer cognitive performance. The analysis revealed that daily average screen time had a notable impact on working memory.
Participants averaged 5.8 hours of screen time daily, with 13% engaging with devices for over 9 hours. Most students were found to have irregular sleep patterns, going to bed as late as 4 AM and waking up after 10 AM. The study's findings showed a regression model indicating that higher average daily screen time negatively affected academic performance while sleep quality’s direct impact was less clear.
The authors emphasized that the results underline the need for interventions to enhance sleep quality and reduce excessive screen time, highlighting the significant consequences of these factors on academic achievements in young adults. Overall, the study aims to shed light on the intricate relationships between technology use, sleep, and cognitive functioning in the Indian youth demographic.