The long-term memory benefits of a daytime nap compared with cramming
Abstract Study Objectives Daytime naps benefit long-term memory relative to taking a break and remaining awake. However, the use of naps as a practical way to improve learning has not been examined, in particular, how memory following a nap compares with spending the equivalent amount of time crammi...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Sleep (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2019-01, Vol.42 (1), p.1 |
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Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | Abstract
Study Objectives
Daytime naps benefit long-term memory relative to taking a break and remaining awake. However, the use of naps as a practical way to improve learning has not been examined, in particular, how memory following a nap compares with spending the equivalent amount of time cramming.
Methods
Young adults learned detailed factual knowledge in sessions that flanked 1 hr spent napping (n = 27), taking a break (n = 27), or cramming that information (n = 30). Recall was examined 30 min and 1 week after learning.
Results
When tested 30 min after learning, cramming and napping led to significantly better memory than taking a break. After a week, napping maintained this significant advantage, but cramming did not.
Conclusions
These findings demonstrate the longer-term benefits of napping for retention of memoranda akin to what students encounter daily and encourage more widespread adoption of napping in education. |
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ISSN: | 0161-8105 1550-9109 |
DOI: | 10.1093/sleep/zsy207 |