The secret to successful ageing: a stable and healthy sleep pattern

Researchers from Wenzhou Medical University in China have found that changes in sleep patterns with age are associated with reduced chances of successful aging.

What is successful aging?

The study defines successful aging by five key criteria:

1. Absence of serious chronic diseases: such as diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke.
2. Independence in daily living: the ability to perform daily tasks - dressing, bathing, eating - without assistance.
3. High cognitive function: good scores on cognitive tests, including memory and mental ability.
4. Mental health: no significant symptoms of depression.
5. Active social participation: socialising with friends, participating in games and social activities.

Progress of the study

The study included 3,306 participants without chronic diseases in 2011 who were aged 60 years or older by 2020. Participants' sleep patterns were assessed in 2011, 2013, and 2015, considering nighttime sleep and daytime rest.

Sleep patterns identified

Researchers identified five major trajectories of sleep duration over a nine-year period:

• Normal and stable sleep (26.1 per cent of participants)
• Prolonged and stable sleep (26.7%)
• Decreasing sleep (7.3%)
• Increasing sleep (13.7%)
• Short and stable sleep (26.2%)

The analysis showed that participants with increasing sleep duration and those whose sleep remained short and stable had significantly lower odds of successful aging. Those whose sleep decreased over time also showed a trend towards reduced odds, although this was not as significant.

Notably, only 13.8 per cent of participants met all the criteria for successful ageing by 2020.

The study emphasises the importance of maintaining a stable and adequate sleep pattern for healthy ageing. Regular deviations - whether in the direction of lack or excess sleep - can have a negative impact on physical and mental wellbeing.