Which of the following is the most common change in sleep patterns experienced by adults during the middle age years?

• A. A significant increase in REM sleep
• B. A complete absence of nighttime awakenings
• C. An increase in total sleep duration
• D. A decrease in the amount of deep sleep (slow-wave sleep)

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the different stages of sleep: REM sleep, deep sleep (slow-wave sleep), and lighter stages of sleep.
2. Recognize that as adults age, especially during middle age, sleep architecture changes, affecting the proportion of time spent in each sleep stage.
3. Recall that deep sleep (slow-wave sleep) tends to decrease with age, which can impact sleep quality and restorative functions.
4. Note that REM sleep does not significantly increase, total sleep duration often decreases or remains stable, and nighttime awakenings tend to increase rather than disappear.
5. Conclude that the most common change in sleep patterns during middle age is a decrease in the amount of deep sleep (slow-wave sleep).