Abstract
Objective
To objectively assess whether a dog in the bedroom or bed disturbs sleep.
Participants and Methods
From August 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, we evaluated the sleep of humans and
dogs occupying the same bedroom to determine whether this arrangement was conducive
to sleep. The study included 40 healthy adults without sleep disorders and their dogs
(no dogs <6 months old). Each participant wore an accelerometer and their dog a validated
dog accelerometer for 7 nights.
Results
The mean ± SD age of the participants (88% women) was 44±14 years and body mass index
was 25±6. The mean ± SD age of the dogs was 5±3 years and weight was 15±13 kg. Mean
± SD actigraphy data showed 475±101 minutes in bed, 404±99 minutes total sleep time,
81%±7% sleep efficiency, and 71±35 minutes wake time after sleep onset. The dogs'
accelerometer activity during the corresponding human sleep period was characterized
as mean ± SD minutes at rest, active, and at play of 413±102, 62±43, and 2±4. The
dogs had mean ± SD 85%±15% sleep efficiency. Human sleep efficiency was lower if the
dog was on the bed as opposed to simply in the room (P=.003).
Conclusion
Humans with a single dog in their bedroom maintained good sleep efficiency; however,
the dog's position on/off the bed made a difference. A dog's presence in the bedroom
may not be disruptive to human sleep, as was previously suspected.
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Article Info
Footnotes
Grant Support: This study was funded by a small projects grant from Mayo Clinic in Arizona. The Actiwatches and FitBarks were purchased from the manufacturers.
Data Previously Presented: These data were presented as an abstract at the 30th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC in Denver, CO.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
