Night sleep effect on fine dexterity skills learning
Objectives: A patent feature of motor skill learning is the amount of training that strongly influences the improvement in performance. Recent researches from the field of psychology suggest that time across a night of sleep triggers an additional improvement in the absence of further training. The night sleep effect on fine motor skill learning that are required in dentistry, had not been studied yet
Methods: A portable phantom head simulator (PhantHome) served at all times as the training and testing tool. The mission was to insert small pins into specific drills in 2 teeth placed in the PhantHome lower jaw. The score of the test is the time needed for the mission. 30 subjects (mean age 23.5±3.85) from the general population were divided into three groups. Each group trained the mission 5 times (T1-T5) then tested (T1). The groups differ between the time of training (T1) and the following retest schedule: GR-A: T1 at 10:00, then retest at 14:00, 18:00 and 22:00. GR-B: T1 at 10:00 then retest at 22:00 and 10:00 the next day. GR-C: T1 at 22:00 then retest at 10:00 (next day) and 22:00. Comparative analysis of experimental variable was carried out using ANOVA, paired and unpaired t tests
Results: A significant training effect (T1-T5) decrease in mission time (P<0.019) was found in GR-A. A stagnation effect of the performances without a night of sleep was observed. 12h of wake provided no significant improvement in motor skill learning in GR-B. 24 h that included night-sleep resulted with significant gains in motor skill in GR-B. The significant improvement in motor skill following a night-sleep was also observed in GR-C but only after 24h Conclusions: Fine motor performances are improved after night-sleep. This information should be introduced to dental students for efficient learning manual skills required in dentistry