Abstract
This study was designed to examine the effects of long-term perceptual alterations in color and illumination, which have been associated with changes in dream content, on physiological parameters of sleep. Subsequent to a period of sleep standardization, 3 Ss slept 4 or 5 baseline nights in the lab immediately followed by 4 or 5 experimental nights. Sleep was monitored polygtaphically. During all waking time on the experimental days, Ss wore goggles equipped with No. 29 Wratten color filters which screen all light save the red band. Ss were required to continue normal daily routines The variables assessed were: total minutes of REM sleep (REMS) and of NREMS stages 1, 2 and 3/4; latencies to initial stage 3/4 and to REMS, and the intensity of REMS. No variable showed a statistically significant difference between baseline and goggle conditions in any single S or in the group. Statistical power analysis did not indicate that the failure to achieve significance could be meaningfully attributed to the number of Ss. We conclude that significant perceptual readjustments in terms of color, illumination and peripheral vision, though strongly affecting dream content, do not result in measurable changes in the basic physiological parameters of sleep.