Advisor(s)
Rema Suniga
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2025 10:50 AM
Abstract
The relationship between sleep and quality of life has been extensively studied. Previous research suggests that even one night of sleep deprivation negatively impacts cognitive ability and stress levels. In this study, physiological stress markers—heart rate (bpm), blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure), respiratory rate (rpm), and oxygen saturation (%)—were measured while participants rested. Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop color test. Twenty five healthy college students (ages 18-23, male and female) were grouped based on sleep duration (0-4, 4-6, and 7-9 hours), each group consisting of male and females. It was hypothesized that shorter sleep durations would lower cognitive performance and increase stress markers such as elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and lower oxygen saturation. ANOVA revealed that cognitive function (Stroop test accuracy / unit time) nor cardio-pulmonary responses (HR [bpm], MAP[mm Hg], SP [mm Hg], DP [mm Hg], RR [bpm], spO2 saturation[unit]) did not differ significantly between groups based on the duration of sleep (0-4, 5-6, 7-9 hour groups). The results indicated that sleep-deprived participants compared to their average sleep hours, had higher systolic blood pressure (p=.034) and males had elevated heart rate (p=.025), while sleep-deprived females showed elevated systolic blood pressure (p=.03) and mean arterial pressure (p=.04). Although there were significant increases in stress markers among those who slept less than their average, no significant decline in cognitive function was observed. This suggests that while acute sleep deprivation can increase stress levels, it may not significantly affect cognitive performance in the short term.
Recommended Citation
Kreger, Jacob S.; Schroeder, Andrew; and Ranney, Michael, "Cognitive Function and Cardio-Pulmonary Responses Following One Night Sleep Deprivation Among College-Age Students" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 1.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/1
Cognitive Function and Cardio-Pulmonary Responses Following One Night Sleep Deprivation Among College-Age Students
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
The relationship between sleep and quality of life has been extensively studied. Previous research suggests that even one night of sleep deprivation negatively impacts cognitive ability and stress levels. In this study, physiological stress markers—heart rate (bpm), blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure), respiratory rate (rpm), and oxygen saturation (%)—were measured while participants rested. Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop color test. Twenty five healthy college students (ages 18-23, male and female) were grouped based on sleep duration (0-4, 4-6, and 7-9 hours), each group consisting of male and females. It was hypothesized that shorter sleep durations would lower cognitive performance and increase stress markers such as elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and lower oxygen saturation. ANOVA revealed that cognitive function (Stroop test accuracy / unit time) nor cardio-pulmonary responses (HR [bpm], MAP[mm Hg], SP [mm Hg], DP [mm Hg], RR [bpm], spO2 saturation[unit]) did not differ significantly between groups based on the duration of sleep (0-4, 5-6, 7-9 hour groups). The results indicated that sleep-deprived participants compared to their average sleep hours, had higher systolic blood pressure (p=.034) and males had elevated heart rate (p=.025), while sleep-deprived females showed elevated systolic blood pressure (p=.03) and mean arterial pressure (p=.04). Although there were significant increases in stress markers among those who slept less than their average, no significant decline in cognitive function was observed. This suggests that while acute sleep deprivation can increase stress levels, it may not significantly affect cognitive performance in the short term.