More than 20% of men in western cultures are affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and sex offenders who suffer from OSA experience more harmful psychological symptoms than people with normal sleep patterns–says a new study published in Journal of Forensic Sciences.
Sex offenders with known OSA were administered a treatment using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure(CPAP), whereby compressed air is applied into the nose and/or mouth through a respiratory mask while the subject sleeps. The subjects were given criteria and asked to score themselves based on personal anger, verbal aggression, hostility and physical aggression before and after treatment.The subjects scored themselves significantly better post-CPAP treatment, but it is unclear whether this treatment will lead to observational changes in behavior.
“The current study shows a potentially important relationship between sleep and aggression, and supports the need for further investigation of sleep disorders and disordered sexual behavior,” says Dr. J. Paul Fedoroff, lead author of the study.
Source-Eurekalert
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