Article
Influence of different snoring sounds on the sleep architecture of non-snoring volunteers
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Published: | September 7, 2006 |
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Background: Snoring might affect the sleep architecture of snoring patients. Few is known about the influence of snoring on non-snoring persons. Aim of the study was to evaluate the impairment of snoring sounds on the sleep architecture of non-snoring persons.
Methods: 30 healthy volunteers (age 22-30 years) underwent night-time polysomnography. Meanwhile three different snoring sounds were provided via loudspeaker at different sleep stages with increasing loudness (45dB-75dB(SPL), 5dB increments) for one minute. The time to wake up was measured. The snoring sounds differed concerning frequency and periodicity. Sound 1 was of low peak frequency (110Hz) and rhythmical (primary snoring). Sound 2 was of high peak frequency (3500Hz) and rhythmical (snoring at Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)). Sound 3 was of high peak frequency (3500Hz) and arrhythmical (snoring at Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS)).
Results: The time to wake up was for all sound qualities significantly shorter in stage NREM 2 compared to NREM 3/4 or REM. OSAS-snoring and primary snoring induced at 45 and 50dB an earlier wake up than UARS-snoring in stage NREM 2 but not in NREM 3/4 and REM.
Conclusion: Even at low sound pressure levels snoring can alter the sleep architecture of non-snoring volunteers, whereas rhythmic, high frequency snoring sounds seems to have less impact then deep frequency snoring or arrhythmic snoring. The therapy of snoring would be beneficial not only for the snoring person itself but also for the person sleeping next to the snoring one.