The effects of caffeine abstinence on sleep: A pilot study

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine whether caffeine abstinence in the evening could improve the sleep quality of those who habitually consume coffee. Design: A double-blind control group design (caffeine and caffeine-free groups). Setting: A university. Subjects: A convenience sampling of 10 students (mean age 21.4 years). Methods: It was a 14-day experiment. For the first 7 days, all participants consumed caffeinated coffee. In the following 7 days, subjects consumed caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee according to their assigned group. Measures: Sleep–wake parameters, self-reported sleep quality and level of refreshment. Results: There were no significant differences (p > .05) among the data of the two groups identified. No significant changes (p > .05) were found in the sleep quality of either group during the study. Conclusion: This study confirms that caffeine abstinence in the evening might not be helpful in sleep promotion. It highlights the need to implement evidence-based practice in health promotion. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.