Effects of nocturnal railway noise on sleep fragmentation in young and middle-aged subjects as a function of type of train and sound level

摘要: Due to undisputable effects of noise on sleep structure, especially in terms fragmentation, the expected development railway transportation next few years might represent a potential risk factor for people living alongside rail tracks. The aim this study was compare different types train (freight, automotive, passenger) arousal from and determine any differential impact as function sound level age. Twenty young (16 women, 4 men; 25.8 years+/-2.6) 18 middle-aged (15 3 52.2 years+/-2.5) healthy subjects participated three whole-night polysomnographic recordings including one control night (35 dBA), two noisy nights with equivalent levels 40 or 50 dB(A), respectively. Arousal responsiveness increased level. It highest S2 lowest REM sleep. Micro-arousals (3-10 s) occurred at rate 25-30%, irrespective type train. Awakenings (>10 were produced more frequently by freight than automotive passenger trains. Normal age-related changes observed, but they not aggravated noise, thus questioning whether older persons are less sensitive during These evidences led conclusion that microscopic detection fragmentation may provide advantageous information disturbances caused environmental noises.