1
|
Menghini L, Balducci C, de Zambotti M. Is it Time to Include Wearable Sleep Trackers in the Applied Psychologists' Toolbox? THE SPANISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 27:e8. [PMID: 38410074 DOI: 10.1017/sjp.2024.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Wearable sleep trackers are increasingly used in applied psychology. Particularly, the recent boom in the fitness tracking industry has resulted in a number of relatively inexpensive consumer-oriented devices that further enlarge the potential applications of ambulatory sleep monitoring. While being largely positioned as wellness tools, wearable sleep trackers could be considered useful health devices supported by a growing number of independent peer-reviewed studies evaluating their accuracy. The inclusion of sensors that monitor cardiorespiratory physiology, diurnal activity data, and other environmental signals allows for a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to sleep health and its impact on psychological well-being. Moreover, the increasingly common combination of wearable trackers and experience sampling methods has the potential to uncover within-individual processes linking sleep to daily experiences, behaviors, and other psychosocial factors. Here, we provide a concise overview of the state-of-the-art, challenges, and opportunities of using wearable sleep-tracking technology in applied psychology. Specifically, we review key device profiles, capabilities, and limitations. By providing representative examples, we highlight how scholars and practitioners can fully exploit the potential of wearable sleep trackers while being aware of the most critical pitfalls characterizing these devices. Overall, consumer wearable sleep trackers are increasingly recognized as a valuable method to investigate, assess, and improve sleep health. Incorporating such devices in research and professional practice might significantly improve the quantity and quality of the collected information while opening the possibility of involving large samples over representative time periods. However, a rigorous and informed approach to their use is necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Menghini
- Università di Trento (Italy)
- Università degli Studi di Padova (Italy)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Petersen H, Kecklund G, Åkerstedt T. Disturbed sleep and its attribution to stress and other causes: A population-based survey. Scand J Psychol 2023; 64:99-104. [PMID: 36057792 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study explores the prevalence of attributed causes of disturbed sleep and the association between stress-disturbed sleep and age, sex, and sleep duration on weekdays as well as weekends in a representative sample. A nationally representative sample (n = 1,128, response rate 72.8%), stratified for sex and age, completed a computer-assisted phone survey that included questions about sleep disturbances and attributed causes. Stress was the main attributed cause of sleep disturbance (35.1%), most frequently attributed by younger women (χ2 = 26.5, p < 0.001). Prevalence of stress-disturbed sleep was higher with lower age (B = -0.05, odds ratio (OR) = 0.94, CI = 0.91, 0.98). There was a trend, however, toward a significant interaction between age and sex, with women in the older age-groups more frequently reporting stress-disturbed sleep than older men (B = -0.02, OR = 1.022, CI = 1.003, 1.042). Weekday sleep duration decreased with increased stress-disturbed sleep, with an inverse relationship on weekends except for those reporting stress-disturbed sleep more than 5 days per week (F = 10.5, p < 0.001), who also had the shortest weekend sleep duration. Sleep disturbances were commonly attributed to stress, and more strongly so in women younger than 46 years. Stress-disturbed sleep during weekdays seems to be potentially compensated for with extended sleep on weekends, except for those with continuous stress-disturbed sleep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Petersen
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Psychology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Kecklund
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Psychology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Torbjörn Åkerstedt
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Psychology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nielsen MB, Harris A, Pallesen S, Einarsen SV. Workplace bullying and sleep – A systematic review and meta-analysis of the research literature. Sleep Med Rev 2020; 51:101289. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
4
|
Rossi KC, Joe J, Makhija M, Goldenholz DM. Insufficient Sleep, Electroencephalogram Activation, and Seizure Risk: Re-Evaluating the Evidence. Ann Neurol 2020; 87:798-806. [PMID: 32118310 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle C Rossi
- Department of Neurology, Division of Epilepsy, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jalyoung Joe
- Department of Neurology, Division of Epilepsy, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Department of Neurology, Billings Clinic, Billings, MT
| | - Monica Makhija
- Department of Neurology, Division of Epilepsy, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Department of Neurology, Division of Sleep Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Daniel M Goldenholz
- Department of Neurology, Division of Epilepsy, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lindegård A, Wastensson G, Hadzibajramovic E, Grimby-Ekman A. Longitudinal associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and stress-related exhaustion, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1726. [PMID: 31870352 PMCID: PMC6929432 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-8081-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the last few years, so-called “common mental disorders”, including adjustment disorder and stress-related exhaustion, have outrivalled musculoskeletal disorders as being the leading cause of long-term sick leave in Sweden. Cardiorespiratory fitness level defined as “the maximal amount of physiological work that an individual can do as measured by oxygen consumption” has in many studies shown to reduce the risk of several life-style related diseases and moreover to improve mood, well-being and physical performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate, longitudinal associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and self-reported physical activity levels and the severity of symptoms connected to stress-related exhaustion, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances among women clinically diagnosed with stress-related exhaustion disorder (ED). Methods The study was that of a longitudinal cohort study consisting of women (n = 88) diagnosed with stress-related ED in a specialist clinic in Gothenburg, Sweden. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with the Åstrand indirect test of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and subjective measures of physical activity levels were rated on 4-graded physical activity scale. To measure and follow symptoms of ED over time the SMBQ-questionnaire (Shirom Melamed Burnout Questionnaire) was used. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure depression and anxiety. A proxy variable for capturing overall disturbed sleep used to measure sleep. Longitudinal associations for continuous outcome variables and the dichotomous variable sleep were analysed using mixed- effects regression models with random intercepts. Regression coefficients along with the 95% confidence interval (CI) are presented as measures of association. Both exposures and the outcome were measured simultaneously over six waves (T1–T6). Results The results showed statistically significant associations between level of fitness and reduced symptoms of stress-related exhaustion over time. Best improvements over time were seen in patients having a medium cardiorespiratory fitness level. No associations could be found between cardiorespiratory fitness level over time and anxiety, depression or sleep disturbances. Conclusion Having medium cardiorespiratory fitness was positivity associated with a more sustained reduction in symptoms of ED overtime compared to those having low or high cardiorespiratory fitness levels. The clinical implication following this result is that an individual recommendation based on a medium level of physical activity in line with the recommendations from ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) is preferable compared to recommendations including more vigorous physical activity in order to restore and sustainably reduce symptoms of exhaustion disorder over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Lindegård
- Institute of Stress Medicine, Region Västra Götaland, Carl Skottsbergs gata 22 B, 413 19, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Gunilla Wastensson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Community Medicine and Public Health, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emina Hadzibajramovic
- Institute of Stress Medicine, Region Västra Götaland, Carl Skottsbergs gata 22 B, 413 19, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Health Metrics, Community Medicine and Public Health, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Grimby-Ekman
- Health Metrics, Community Medicine and Public Health, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ackermann S, Cordi M, La Marca R, Seifritz E, Rasch B. Psychosocial Stress Before a Nap Increases Sleep Latency and Decreases Early Slow-Wave Activity. Front Psychol 2019; 10:20. [PMID: 30740070 PMCID: PMC6355712 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep disturbances are an important risk factor for stress-related diseases such as burnout or depression. In particular, slow-wave activity (SWA) during sleep might be eminently relevant for optimal maintenance of mental health and cognitive functioning. In spite of the clinical importance and the pertinence of stress-related processes in everyday life, the physiological mechanisms of the association between stress, sleep, and cognition are not well-understood. In the present study, we carefully mapped the time course of the influence of a psychosocial stressor on sleep architecture and sleep-related oscillations during a midday nap. We induced stress using a psychosocial laboratory stressor, the Montreal Imaging Stress Task, vs. a neutral control task. Afterward, participants were allowed to take a 90-min nap (n = 20) or stayed awake (n = 19) and cortisol was measured via saliva samples. We hypothesized that stress would decrease sleep efficiency and SWA in a time-dependent manner, with impairing effects on cognitive functioning. Psychosocial stress resulted in increased cortisol levels, which were elevated throughout the study interval. In the nap group, psychosocial stress increased sleep latency, but had only minor effects on sleep architecture. Still, SWA in the first 30 min of sleep was significantly reduced, whereas alpha activity was enhanced. These effects vanished after approximately 30 min. No impairing effect on cognitive functioning occurred. Our results show that psychosocial stress before sleep has an impact on sleep latency and early SWA during sleep. In contrast to our hypothesis, the effects were rather small and short-lasting. Importantly, cognitive functioning was maintained. We conclude that the effects of psychosocial stress before a nap are possibly better compensated than previously believed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ackermann
- Division of Cognitive Biopsychology and Methods, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Maren Cordi
- Division of Cognitive Biopsychology and Methods, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.,Sleep & Health Zürich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberto La Marca
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Sleep & Health Zürich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Björn Rasch
- Division of Cognitive Biopsychology and Methods, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.,Sleep & Health Zürich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Eskildsen A, Fentz HN, Andersen LP, Pedersen AD, Kristensen SB, Andersen JH. Perceived stress, disturbed sleep, and cognitive impairments in patients with work-related stress complaints: a longitudinal study. Stress 2017; 20:371-378. [PMID: 28605986 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2017.1341484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients on sick leave due to work-related stress often present with cognitive impairments as well as sleep disturbances. The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the role of perceived stress and sleep disturbances in the longitudinal development in cognitive impairments in a group of patients with prolonged work-related stress (N = 60) during a period of 12 months following initial professional care-seeking. Objective cognitive impairments (neuropsychological tests) were measured on two occasions - at initial professional care-seeking and at 12-month follow-up. Questionnaires on perceived stress, sleep disturbances, and cognitive complaints were completed seven times during the 12 months which facilitated multilevel analysis with segregation of within-person (change) and between-person (baseline level) components of the time-varying predictors (perceived stress and sleep disturbances). Change in perceived stress was associated with concurrent and subsequent change in self-reported cognitive complaints over the period of 12 months and to a lesser extent the change in performance on neuropsychological tests of processing speed from baseline to 12-month follow-up. Change in sleep disturbances was also associated with concurrent and subsequent change in self-reported cognitive complaints over the 12 months but not with change on neuropsychological test performance. Although the mechanism behind the improvement in cognitive impairments in patients with work-related stress should be further explored in future studies, the results could suggest that improvement in cognitive impairments is partly mediated by decreasing levels of perceived stress and, to a lesser extent, decreasing levels of sleep disturbances. Lay summary This study examines the role of perceived stress and sleep disturbances in respect to the development of cognitive impairments (e.g. memory and concentration) in a group of patients with work-related stress. We found that change in cognitive impairments seems to be partly explained by change in perceived stress and, to a lesser extent, sleep disturbances over time. This could suggest that cognitive impairments can be reduced by stress management interventions which aim to reduce perceived stress and sleep disturbances but future studies are needed to confirm this interpretation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Eskildsen
- a Department of Occupational Medicine , Danish Ramazzini Centre, The Regional Hospital West Jutland - University Research Clinic , Herning , Denmark
| | - Hanne Nørr Fentz
- b Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, School of Business and Social Sciences , Aarhus University , Aarhus C , Denmark
| | - Lars Peter Andersen
- a Department of Occupational Medicine , Danish Ramazzini Centre, The Regional Hospital West Jutland - University Research Clinic , Herning , Denmark
| | - Anders Degn Pedersen
- c Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences , Aarhus University , Aarhus C , Denmark
| | | | - Johan Hviid Andersen
- a Department of Occupational Medicine , Danish Ramazzini Centre, The Regional Hospital West Jutland - University Research Clinic , Herning , Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Danker-Hopfe H, Kowalski J, Stein M, Röttger S, Sauter C. Development, implementation, and evaluation of a sleep coaching program for the German armed forces. SOMNOLOGIE 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11818-017-0109-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
9
|
Van Laethem M, Beckers DGJ, Kompier MAJ, Kecklund G, van den Bossche SNJ, Geurts SAE. Bidirectional relations between work-related stress, sleep quality and perseverative cognition. J Psychosom Res 2015; 79:391-8. [PMID: 26526314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this longitudinal two-wave study, bidirectional relations between work-related stress and sleep quality were examined. Moreover, it was investigated whether perseverative cognition is a potential underlying mechanism in this association, related to both work-related stress and sleep quality. METHODS A randomly selected sample of Dutch employees received an online survey in 2012 and 2013. Of all invited employees, 877 participated in both waves. Structural equation modeling was performed to analyze the data. RESULTS We found evidence for reversed relations between work-related stress and sleep quality. Specifically, when controlling for perseverative cognition, work-related stress was not directly related to subsequent sleep quality, but low sleep quality was associated with an increase in work-related stress over time. Moreover, negative bidirectional associations over time were found between perseverative cognition and sleep quality, and positive bidirectional associations were found between work-related stress and perseverative cognition. Lastly, a mediation analysis showed that perseverative cognition fully mediated the relationship between work-related stress and sleep quality. CONCLUSION The study findings suggest that perseverative cognition could be an important underlying mechanism in the association between work-related stress and sleep quality. The bidirectionality of the studied relationships could be an indication of a vicious cycle, in which work-related stress, perseverative cognition, and sleep quality mutually influence each other over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Debby G J Beckers
- Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Michiel A J Kompier
- Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Göran Kecklund
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Sabine A E Geurts
- Radboud University, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
|
11
|
Gottlieb DJ. Obstructive Sleep Apnea: How Much Is Too Much? Sleep 2015; 38:659-60. [DOI: 10.5665/sleep.4644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
|