Studying How Morning and Afternoon Naps Affect Memory in Infants Aged 9 to 15 Months

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore how naps and their effects on memory develop in infants aged 9 to 15 months. The study measures memory by observing if an infant can imitate actions demonstrated with toys. Sleep is monitored using a motion-detecting watch and electrodes placed on the infants head to track brain activity during sleep. Infants are recruited at 9 months, with follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months later to track changes over time. Participants are randomly assigned to either a nap-promoted group or a wake-promoted group during study sessions. Naps are encouraged through soothing methods like rocking and massaging, while wakefulness is promoted by keeping infants upright and engaging them with activities such as reading books and playing with toys. Each session includes memory testing before and after either a morning or afternoon nap, with infants fitted with sleep-monitoring electrodes during naps. These procedures are repeated at 9, 12, and 15 months of age. Caregivers and infants attend sessions where memory tasks are conducted before and after naps or wake periods. Sleep is recorded using actigraph watches worn on the ankle and polysomnography caps that measure brain activity. Memory accuracy is the primary outcome, evaluated through a specific recall task after naps. Caregivers complete sleep diaries and behavioral questionnaires, and infants are monitored for developmental milestones and health before each session. The total participation spans several visits over approximately six months, with careful monitoring to ensure reliable results and infant safety.

The Function of Biphasic Sleep in Infants