Abstract
Introduction
False beliefs about sleep can persist despite contradicting scientific evidence, potentially
impairing population health. Identifying commonly held false beliefs lacking an evidence
base (“myths”) can inform efforts to promote population sleep health.
Method
We compiled a list of potential myths using Internet searches of popular press and
scientific literature. We used a Delphi process with sleep experts (n = 10) from the
fields of sleep medicine and research. Selection and refinement of myths by sleep
experts proceeded in 3 phases, including focus groups (Phase 1); email-based feedback
to edit, add, or remove myths (Phase 2); and closed-ended questionnaires (Phase 3)
where experts rated myths on 2 dimensions, falseness and public health significance,
using 5-point Likert scale from 1 (“not at all”) to 5 (“extremely false”).
Results
The current study identified 20 sleep myths. Mean expert ratings of falseness ranged
from 5.00 (SD = 0.00) for the statement “during sleep the brain is not active” to
2.50 (SD = 1.07) for the statement “sleeping in during the weekends is a good way
to ensure you get adequate sleep.” Mean responses to public health significance ranged
from 4.63 (SD = 0.74) for debunking the statement that “many adults need only 5 or
less hours of sleep for general health” to 1.71 (SD = 0.49) for the statement that
“remembering your dreams is a sign of a good night's sleep.”
Conclusion
The current study identified commonly held sleep myths that have a limited or questionable
evidence base. Ratings provided by experts suggest areas that may benefit from public
health education to correct myths and promote healthy sleep.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 16, 2019
Accepted:
February 16,
2019
Received in revised form:
January 8,
2019
Received:
September 19,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
