0428 Testing a Novel Smartphone Application to Evaluate Pre-sleep Experiences and Sleep Patterns: Feasibility and Analysis of Pre-Sleep Thought Content

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2019-04, Vol.42 (Supplement_1), p.A173-A173
• Main Authors: Gellis, Les A, Chang, Joanna, Goodhines, Patricia, Caicedo Bastidas, Carlos E, Park, Aesoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Insomnia; Sleep; Smartphones
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz067.427

Introduction Little is known about real-time pre-sleep experiences in the natural environment and there is a need for cost-effective and efficient methods to evaluate pre-sleep experiences and sleep patterns in the natural setting. This study tested a novel smartphone application, the Sleep Experience and Assessment Application (SEAA), which emits auditory tones throughout the night, and, in response to the tones, participants are asked to verbally report their wake status and thought content, if awake. Feasibility of the instrument and analyses of participants’ real time pre-sleep thought content were evaluated. Methods 19 individuals (mean age = 21.74 years [SD = 5.21, range: 18 - 40], 37% male, 58% White; 63% with Insomnia Disorder) completed the SEAA for one week (mean nights = 6.2 [SD = 1.4]) and provided feedback about the usage of the application, the difficulty of using the device, and comfort level of reporting their sleep status and thought content at follow-up. Participants rated all items on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most positive. Results Participants reported that the SEAA was easy to use (M=9.1, SD=1.6), were comfortable reporting their thought content (M=7.2, SD = 2.7) and sleep status (M=8.3, SD = 1.9), was unlikely to disturb their sleep (M =7.9, SD = 2.7), and was moderately useful (M=4.9, SD = 3.2). Independent sample t-tests revealed no differences in ratings between those with and without insomnia (mean differences = 0.27 to 1.75; p’s = .18 to .78). The SEAA was also able to collect and record diverse categories of pre-sleep thought (e.g., Rehearsing/Planning, Problem Solving; Sleep and its Consequences). Conclusion These preliminary findings suggest that the SEAA is easy to use and individuals report relative comfort with reporting real-time sleep patterns and thought content without sleep disruption. These results of positive subjective experiences in usage of the application suggests that this method may prove feasible in evaluating real-time pre-sleep experiences and sleep patterns of those with and without Insomnia. Support (If Any) Syracuse University Internal Grant.