How are Consumer Sleep Technology Data Being Used to Deliver Behavioral Sleep Medicine Interventions? A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The rapid growth of consumer sleep technology demonstrates the population's interest in measuring sleep. However, the extent to which these devices can be used in the delivery of behavioral sleep interventions is currently unknown. The objectives of this systematic review were to evaluate the use of consumer sleep technology (wearable and mobile) in behavioral sleep medicine interventions, identify gaps in the literature and potential future directions.

METHODS

We completed a scoping review of studies conducted in adult populations that used consumer sleep tracking technology to deliver sleep-related interventions.

RESULTS

Our initial search returned 4,538 articles and 14 articles met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results demonstrated that wearable devices are being used for two main purposes: 1. To deliver treatment for insomnia and 2. Sleep monitoring as part of overall wellness programs. Half of the articles reviewed (n = 7) used consumer sleep technology in a cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. The majority of the studies reviewed (n = 10) were fully digital, without human intervention, and only two small studies evaluated interventions delivered with and without a sleep tracking device.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate opportunities to utilize consumer sleep trackers in insomnia treatment and wellness programs, but most new and innovative interventions are in the early, feasibility stages. Future research is needed to determine how to leverage wearables to improve existing behavioral sleep treatments and determine how this technology can engage patients and reduce barriers to behavioral sleep medicine interventions.

0963 Perceived Sleep Need in Adolescents and Acceptability of a Morning Bright Light Intervention

Introduction

We are testing strategies to make fall asleep times earlier to extend sleep duration of sleep-deprived, delayed adolescents. We explored whether perceived sleep need was associated with the acceptability of an intervention which included earlier bedtimes on school nights and early morning bright light (BL) on one weekend.

Methods

Twenty-three participants (16.0±0.7 years; N=11 female) from the intervention group of a study of adolescents reporting ≤7 h sleep on school nights and late bedtimes (school-night≥23:00; non-school night≥midnight) were included. Participants estimated nightly sleep need during baseline. The intervention included shifting school-night bedtimes 1h earlier than each participant’s usual school night bedtime during the first week and 2h earlier than baseline during the second week. Evening time management goals were used to help participants get to bed earlier. Wake times remained stable because of early school start times. During the weekend in between these 2 weeks, participants lived in the laboratory and received very early morning BL on Saturday and Sunday from two light boxes (~6000 lux; three 50-minute exposures with 10-minute breaks). At the end of the study, an acceptability questionnaire asked about hypothetically engaging in different elements of the intervention (earlier bedtimes, morning BL) at home. Items were summed to create a composite acceptability score.

Results

Participants reported needing 7.8 h (SD=1.2; range=5-9.5h) of sleep. A linear regression demonstrated that needing more sleep was associated with less acceptability when controlling for age and sex, b=1.37, SEb=.60, p=.03.

Conclusion

Adolescents who felt they needed less sleep were more accepting of an intervention that required earlier bedtimes on school nights and waking up very early to receive BL on the weekend. Interventions that produce less weekend sleep deprivation, like including naps, might be more acceptable to all.

Support

R01HL105395 (S.J.C.)