Teenagers Addicted to Mobile Phones May Develop ‘Delayed Biological Clock’: Study

Excessive use of mobile phones leave teenagers with disrupted sleep, restlessness, stress and fatigue, according to a new study.

The findings of the study presented at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS), also found teenagers addicted to mobile phones had difficulty in falling asleep and had disrupted sleep. They were more susceptible to stress and fatigue and displayed a behavior that suggested a delayed biological clock.

The study, led by researchers at the Sahlgren’s Academy in Gothenburg, Sweden, selected 21 healthy subjects, between 14 and 20 years of age, who had a record of regular work and studying hours and without sleep problems.

The participants were split up into two groups—a control group with three boys and seven girls and the experimental group with three boys and eight girls.

The control group made less than five calls and/or sent five text messages a day, while the experimental group made more than 15 calls and/or sent 15 text messages a day. Following this, the subjects were asked questions regarding their lifestyle and sleep habits.

The study revealed that compared to subjects with restricted use of cell phones, young people with excessive use of cell phones (both talking and text messaging) displayed increased restlessness with more careless lifestyles and more consumption of stimulating beverages.

“Addiction to cell phone is becoming common. Youngsters feel a group pressure to remain inter-connected and reachable round the clock,” said Gaby Badre, who led the study.

“They start using mobile phones early in life. There seems to be a connection between intensive use of cell phones and health compromising behaviour such as smoking, snuffing and use of alcohol,” he added.

Source-Medindia
THK/L