DOES THE NOCTURNAL MOBILE PHONE USAGE AFFECT THE COGNITION AND QUALITY OF SLEEP?

Background & Objectives: The direct exposure to blue light that has been emitted from personal electronic devices can cause damage to the retina thus causing impairment of cognition. It also suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate the sleep cycle. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of nocturnal mobile phone usage on cognition and quality of sleep. Methods: The study was carried out using 60 nocturnal mobile phone users in Venkateshwaraa Medical college Hospital and Research Centre by measuring their cognitive functions and sleep quality. Comparison of cognitive function tests and sleep scores between the groups was done using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests. Results: The cognitive function tests scores were decreased significantly in nocturnal mobile phone users and this change was more pronounced with more usage at night. The PSQI scores are significantly increased in nocturnal mobile phone users. Interpretation & Conclusion: From the results we can conclude that nocturnal usage of mobile phones has negative influence on cognitive functions and increased sleep disturbance in subjects with greater mobile phone usage, on comparison with the non mobile phone users at night