How do you define sleep fragmentation?

Sleep fragmentation refers to the occurrence of frequent awakenings or interruptions during the sleep cycle. This phenomenon can lead to a disrupted sleep pattern, preventing individuals from achieving restorative sleep, which is characterized by prolonged periods of deep sleep. When sleep is fragmented, individuals may experience collapses in sleep architecture, reducing the effectiveness of sleep stages that contribute to overall health and well-being.

In this context, sleep fragmentation is significant because it can impact not only the quality of sleep but also daytime functioning and overall health. Individuals who experience this may find it difficult to feel rested upon waking, as their sleep is insufficiently continuous or restorative. This underscores the importance of understanding sleep fragmentation in the broader scope of sleep studies and patient care.