Influence of slope of rise and event order of aircraft noise events on high resolution actimetry parameters

• Published in: Somnologie : Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin = Somnology : sleep research and sleep medicine Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 118 - 128
• Main Authors: Brink, M., Lercher, P., Eisenmann, A., Schierz, Ch
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Darmstadt Steinkopff-Verlag 01.06.2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aircraft; Cardiology; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Motility; Neurology; Original Article; Otorhinolaryngology; Pneumology/Respiratory System; Psychology; Fluglärm; awakening reactions; actigraphy; Aufwachreaktionen; Aktigraphie; actimetry; Aktimetrie; aircraft noise
• ISSN: 1432-9123; 1439-054X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11818-008-0345-9

Summary Takeoffs and landings during the night are restricted in some form at most airports. Therefore, commonly, evenings and mornings are especially prone for sleep disturbances through aircraft noise. We conducted an experimental field study at residents' homes in the vicinity of Zurich Airport that aimed at quantifying the effects of aircraft noise events on bodily reactions before wakeup in the morning. Aircraft noise was administered using pre-recorded noise events and played back in the subjects' bedrooms. A non-intrusive and event-related recording system for sleep physiology parameters (high resolution actimetry, cardiac and respiratory parameters) was developed and used to measure bodily reactions to noise events. Results show that motility reactions to the first aircraft noise events in the morning were stronger than to subsequent ones, suggesting that the number of previously experienced overflights has a systematic effect, especially if the events occur in short intervals. Motility reactions have also been found to be dependent on the slope of rise of events, with steeper rises – as they are typical for close flyovers from landing aircraft – evoking stronger reactions. These findings are in accordance with recent laboratory investigations of aircraft and railway noise impact on awakening probability.