Sleep tracking technology has been used in scientific research for several decades, with advancements in digital accelerometry, microelectromechanical systems, and improved software 1. Over the past decade, devices designed to objectively assess sleep in free-living situations have proliferated, leading to an increasing number of devices specifically designed for scientific use and/or commercial use by the general public 1.
One study published in the Oxford Academic Journal SLEEP looked at the future of sleep-tracking technology in scientific research 1. The study found that consumer devices generally performed as well as the Actiwatch, even on nights of fragmented sleep 1. The consumer devices that performed best achieved similar levels of sensitivity and nominally better specificity, with comparable accuracy 1.
Another study published in Frontiers in Computer Science compared consumer-grade sleep trackers for research purposes 2. The study found that while each device has been validated with the polysomnography (PSG) gold standard, the devices show highly varying results in everyday use 2. Differences between devices for measuring sleep duration or sleep stages on a single night can be up to an average of 1 h 36 min 2.
Sleep tracking technology has come a long way in recent years, with the advent of commercial products such as smartwatches and rings that can track your sleep patterns. These devices can provide valuable insights into your sleep habits, but it’s important to know how to make use of the data they collect in order to achieve better sleep.
One way to make use of tracking data from commercial products is to analyze the data and look for patterns. If you plan to implement some of the techniques from our sleep protocol you would be remiss if you didn't watch for improvements in your sleep data. For example, you might notice that you tend to sleep better on nights when you go to bed at a certain time or when you engage in certain activities before bed. By identifying these patterns, you can ensure changes to your routine help improve your sleep.
Another way to make use of tracking data is to share it with your healthcare provider. Your doctor may be able to use the data to help diagnose and treat any sleep-related issues you may be experiencing. For example, if your tracking data shows that you frequently wake up during the night, your doctor may recommend a sleep study to determine if you have a sleep disorder.
In conclusion, tracking data from commercial products such as smartwatches and rings can provide valuable insights into your sleep habits even if they may lack the precision of a sleep study. By analyzing the data and possibly sharing it with your healthcare provider, you can take steps towards achieving better sleep.
Comentários