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Author Maxim Smulders & Peter Vink |
| Abstract Sleep facilities in vehicles often have a limited space due to economic and/or operational reasons. Currently no guidelines exist on minimal sleep space envelopes for qualitative, effective and comfortable sleep. This study aims to preliminary investigate the influence of a 2D minimal space envelope on sleep quality, sleep effectiveness and (dis)comfort, in order to work towards such guidelines. Forty-one participants slept in three different conditions: night 1) in their normal bed space, night 2) in a limited space (170 x 70 cm), and night 3) in a minimal space designed by the participant. Night 2 was rated significantly least comfortable and most discomfortable, where night 1 in the own bed was rated as most comfortable and least discomfortable. Sleep quality and sleep effectiveness were rated worst in the limited space (night 2), which had a 30% space reduction relative to an average one person bed. However no significant difference in sleep quality and sleep effectiveness between the own bed (night 1) and the minimal space designed by the participant (night 3) were found, although space on average was reduced by 25%. This indicates that tweaking the dimensions of the reduced sleep space envelope can increase sleep quality, sleep effectiveness and comfort. Further research on minimal space envelope design (non-rectangular and 3D) and its influence on sleep quality and efficiency, and (dis)comfort is needed, in which sleep behaviour, sleeping postures and movement, and anthropometrics should also be taken into account. |