ExplainedResearch

Small study suggests a short nap helps students remember, but the sample is just 60

Researchers say the result is early and needs a bigger trial.

By Dr Kavita Rao

Published 26 October 2026 at 9:27 pm IST · 1 min read

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A fictional university study of 60 students found that a 20-minute nap after learning improved recall the next day by about 10 per cent.

The sample was small and all participants were university students, so the result may not apply to everyone.

The study is awaiting peer review. The authors plan a trial with 600 participants.

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