Led by researchers from National Taiwan University Hospital, the study followed for two years 215 men and women aged 65 and over to analyze the impact of “catch-up sleep” on cognitive health.
The participants, all equipped withaccelerometers – wearable devices measuring body movements – and keeping sleep diaries, were observed to track their resting habits. The results show that almost half of them regularly took advantage of a lie-in on the weekend to recover the sleep they missed during the week. These people revealed themselves 74% less likely to develop cognitive dysfunctiona precursor to dementia, compared to those who did not extend their weekend rest.
This finding is particularly significant in light of dementia statistics. In the UK, around 900,000 people live with the condition, the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s disease. As the population ages, this number could rise to 1.5 million by 2040. For now, doctors recommend maintaining a regular physical activity, a balanced diet, limiting alcohol, staying socially active and stimulating the brain with activities like puzzles or crosswords to reduce risk. However, this study offers a new and potentially accessible way…
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