Stimulating Sleepy Students

Reported January 2006

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- Whether it's boredom or just not enough shut-eye, a lot of students have trouble staying awake during class.

For many students, a textbook, paper and pencil are a recipe for sleepiness. Zach Barnes, a ninth grader at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Mich., says, "I don't know how many times I go through a day in school and feel like I'm about to fall asleep."

Now, students are giving their schoolbooks a rest and learning a new way to give their tired brains a boost. Acupuncturist Richard Harris teaches students how putting pressure on specific areas of the body -- called acupressure points -- can help them stay awake.

Richard Harris, Ph.D., an acupuncturist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, says, "The stimulation techniques are ways to reduce fatigue or mental fatigue that you may have during the day."

By tapping the top of the head and massaging areas on the back of the neck, hand and leg, researchers believe stimulating these points releases endorphins, or chemicals in the brain that make us feel good and more alert.

"I would be interested to see if people take this as a possible alternative to coke or coffee or other caffeine drinks," Richard says. This self-applied pick-me-up technique might help kids stay focused longer.

Erin Walker, also from Pioneer High School, says, "I'll probably use the one where you're massaging your hand, because it's not obvious or anything."

The acupressure techniques need to be done for several minutes to be effective. In a study at the University of Michigan, researchers found students in a class were significantly more alert and less fatigued after self-administering acupressure treatments.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

University of Michigan Health System
Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 936-4000

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