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Wednesday, March 9, 2016

We need your ideas, feedback and suggestions.

Update from The SleepHealth Study Team 

The whole team wants to thank you once again for being part of this historic endeavor and helping us improve the first patient-led sleep health study ever conducted. 

It's been an incredible week and it represents a year's worth of work by a small dedicated group of volunteers trying to change how research and engagement is done. 

The most important part of this study is completing your surveys and doing the 7-Day SleepHealth Activities every 3 months.  The more you participate, the more information you get back on your personal dashboard and the more data we have to seek new treatments, interventions, and cures.


We know that some have reported minor problems and we are working hard to address them.  Please stick with it and tell your friends. The app if free to anyone over 18, whether or not they have sleep problems or health issues.  Use it just like you would a pedometer or calorie counter to improve your health. 

We want to hear about any issues you have or suggestions and ideas for new features, functionality, survey questions, or research topics.  We will be adding new surveys in the near future, Please join us in our SleepHealth community forum at http://talk.sleeptember.org/.

The SleepHealth App and study is being conducted by the American Sleep Apnea Association, a 25-year-old and patient-led non-profit based in Washington, DC.  It was conceived, designed and funded solely through the contributions of a small all-patient team of scientists, physicians, advocates and technology experts dedicated to health and data discovery in order to accelerate patient-centered and citizen research.   

All data is de-identified and no one from outside the study team has access to your personal information ever.  We worked with IBM on the development of Watson for ResearchKit and will be using Watson’s sophisticated analytic capabilities to give us and other researchers tremendous possibilities in seeking new discoveries using a tremendous amount of data.
 
Additionally, the Sleephealth app currently does not have the ability to track sleep from the iPhone or Watch as reported by some media outlets.  Sleep data is collected by self-report only at this time. There are other capabilities available in the Watch and many more functions that we have planned 
 that will be incorporated in later versions.  

This is a whole new way to do research and there will be some trail and error, but with platforms like Apple ResearchKit and IBM’s Watson Health, we can literally put a laboratory in everyone’s pocket. 

Best in health,

The SleepHealth Study Team

46 comments:

  1. I find myself not doing the alertness checker because 3 minutes is a long time when you're busy. I feel like even cutting it down to two would make it easier. :)

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    1. Agree. I have stopped using the alertness checker. I do not have the patience for it. All other categories are OK.

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    2. Using the alertness checker for 3 minutes is not bad. It has to have enough time to do the calculations and algorithm in order to get it right. I have had no problems doing it for 3 minutes.

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  2. I also feel the 3 minute alert test is boring and dreadful. I do it halfheartedly while doing other things, which probably skews the results.

    I get an alert on the phone to look at the app but when I get to the app, it isn't very clear what the app wants me to do. Is it the alertness checker or sleepiness checker or something else?

    It is unclear how often we should do the the sleepiness checker because of the design. Since there is already a check mark on the sleepiness checker from the last time, should I do it again on different times of day or not?

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    1. Agree about frequency of alertness checker. Not sure if rating it twice in one day, deletes the first entry. Happy to do it, but not sure what I am supposed to do.

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  3. I use an app called Sleep Tracker. I assume you can get the data from the shared health data. Maybe use their program?

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  4. Definitely use device(s) to track sleep. Only ask questions that wouldn't be captured by technology. (Of course leave option to manually input too, for those without a wearable).

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  6. Kudos to the team for driving innovation within Health Studies. Agree with other comments that the alertness checker would be optimal at less then 60 seconds required engagement. Lastly, I am using HeartWatch for iOS to help with the sleep tracker submissions.

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    1. I also use heartwatch and recommend it. They just overhauled their UX. Really cool info.

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  7. I am ok with the 3 minute alertness test. It allows me to clear my mind and just focus on the test. It is like a short meditation for me 3 minutes without distractions. A short peaceful time.

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  8. I use an app called sleep cycle that tracks your sleep based on sound picked up from iPhone on nightstand next to you , can it be linked to this study , also have sleep number sleep IQ info if that's helpful for comparison

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  9. I found some things don't work well for night owls... After midnight everything sets forward to the next day, even if I'm just wanting to log that I'm getting ready for bed. And there wasn't an obvious way to roll back to the previous day to make entries.

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    1. I agree with this statement. I would at least include a function to go back to the previous day (only one day back, in the event of potential data altering).

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    2. Same for me, able to go back at least to the previous day would be a great addition.

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    3. I only stay up after midnight about once / week, but it seems like missing data that I am willing to provide.

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  10. Maybe add a "difficulty waking up" rating. I have days where I wake up and feel lethargic and days where I wake up feeling pretty good, would be cool to be able to track it in this app

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  11. I'm not always available when the 3-minute alertness test requests. Will that make a difference? I also take numerous medications and don't like having to type them all in daily. Could it be possible that meds can be stored and one just checks off if they were taken or nor?

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    1. I list my med's in my Notes app then when I need to list them in SleepHealth app I select them, copy the paste them into the SleepHealth app.

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  12. Hi read all comments & concern
    I did not find any issue with apps
    Alertness check mark always their what you checkmarked previous report so only you do select again what is best to you same one or different one it will swith to your new selection
    Alertness check 3 minitues clock it is very resonable time to predict current allertness how you respond quickly to displayed dots..!!
    It is upto us to find time to spend but it worth it
    My suggestion allow to attach screen shot of other apps like dreamon etc or any file more data submit
    If anyone like to want to use dreamon apps it is worth it
    Dream on apps check your how was your sleep
    Apps graph shows what time you went sleep & what time you woke up also graph shows how many times you woke up & awake
    It also shows in graph what time & how much you went on deep sleep
    It also has a selection of soundtrack wich hep you to boost your remain in sleep along with wake up alarm clock
    It is realy worth app to use people who like to know about their sleep
    I like to see day activity journal with selecting various option with using check mark such as
    What time lunch & dinner, tv,reading,nap,medication what time,discription of food,any physical activity like work,walking or running,yoga or meditation, garden work,driving etc i think this data will help to determine effect on night sleep..!

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  13. About savasana:
    I started since yesterday , will post any effect on sleep or to fall in sleep,


    Elevating the back and supporting the head, on the other hand (see Step 2), helps to open your chest, release the shoulders, and enhance the natural flow of the breath. If your energy or mood is low or if you hold a lot of tension in your upper back and shoulders, this variation will be good for you. Observe the breath as you practice. Spend several minutes here taking long and even breaths. You may notice that your brain becomes quiet and your thoughts slow down, allowing your mind to become clear and focused.
    Practicing Savasana before sleeping can promote deep, quality sleep. Position yourself in bed using the same points of alignment and supports you use for Savasana on your mat. Spend several minutes in the pose relaxing your mind.

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  14. I log my sleep using Fitbit One. I then have to manually copy all info into Sleep Study each day. Can you please add an import function from Fitbit?

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  15. When I signed up for this, I assumed that this app would be asleep tracking app. I'm very disappointed that it is not. In fact, although I have the best of intentions, I doubt that I will stick with this. Hopefully future versions can start to gather data using the Apple Watch, rather than using surveys through the Apple Watch.

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  16. Share on FaceBook will work once in a while.

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  17. I would suggest having the fit move in the alertness checker, it would make you pay closer attention. Also can you add an alarm function? I also use Sleeptracker it would be nice if you tap the info I've already entered. Lastly, concierge is irrelevant, I'm single no partner, if I turn off electronics, I can't report the info, my thermostat automatically sets back

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  18. Why this app do math?
    It asks why one tries to fall asleep, how long you were awake, what time did you wake up, yet you still need to tell it how long you slept.

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  19. Meant to say: why can't the app do math?

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  20. I know many people have already touched on this, but I'm pretty frustrated with the mixed Health App functionality. It imports some data, but the most improved values (anything to do with sleep) are not pulled from the Health App. This is a HUGE missed opportunity. Like others have said, manual entry is a great fallback, but when all the data is ther in the Heath App (taken from a separate app or dedicated sleep tracker) it makes no sense not to import that data.

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  21. Agree with many of the suggestions here:
    Boil the alertness checker down to 1min or less.
    Need to actually track sleep, or allow the import of HealthKit data with a review...
    Sleepiness checker should provide more visual points and be blank when we go back into it with a way to get back to the old reading done earlier in the day.
    I use sleep++ and HeartWatch and both track sleep on my watch that transfers to HK.

    Also, just heads up to the participants. There is another watch study on Heart Health. If you are interested, here is a link: https://www.health-eheartstudy.org/users/sign_up

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  22. Personal Consierge has conflicting messages. #2 reads, turn off electronics.
    The last one reminds you to turn on night shift on your tablet or phone

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    1. Night shift future in iphone coming soon with new update as well in iphone 7
      Apps just keep updating for future..!! :)

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  23. Frustrating that this app keeps on asking the same questions already answered (e.g. Family history)

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  24. I too feel that a big missed opportunity exists with not working out Apple health port or a way to import sleep data from other sleep apps or devices

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  25. App is not opening when I tap the icon. The logo appears nothing else opens. I have to double press the Home button, delete the app then reopen it several times before it opens so I can make my entries. This started on 4/3.

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  26. The alertness tracker has the opposite effect in me. As i stare at it and wait for the green dot it is almost hypnotizing and I find myself actuslly feeling sleepy.

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  27. Some friends looking for best sleep tracking
    App...!!
    I am using it for over 3 year.
    Nice apps..!
    I will show you in chart hour by hour how was your sleep-- awake,sleep & deep sleep
    Also has selective lucid soundtrack
    Also has a wake up alarm clock with selective sound track..!
    It works flawlessly very good..!!
    Name of apps...!!
    " DREAMON"
    Dream:ON by YUZA https://appsto.re/us/atMeE.i

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  28. I continue to follow this apps request for info which in some cases is getting very old like recording my med's everyday rather that recording them in the app everyday. No spell or grammar check, really bad if you write something then leave the app then return it will not let you make corrects or resume. Then when you write a log of your day then have to okay it twice. Why? Of course if you read your log, see a mistake you cannot change it but have to start all over from scratch...aggravating. Small repetitive so it becomes aggravating. Then there is the 3 minute test after you do it long enough 3-4 times per day

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    1. I tried to add something to what I wrote but the app would not let me plus would not let me finish what I was writing. The alertness test should have various symbols or objects to work with. It gets old and routine to keep tapping a circle.

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  29. I would like to be able to edit my submission without having to delete everything I typed before the typo. I would also like to be able to continue what I'm typing after getting a notification. I also use an app called snore lab that I think might be of use to studies.

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  30. My dashboard shows 24 hours of sleep on May 20! This is a serious error and Skews my sleep time average. In fact on May 20 I got very little sleep. Is there anyway I can correct it or you can correct it? Does anyone actually read the journal entries? If you had you would see that my journal entry on the 20th talks about getting very little sleep. But my graph shows 24 hours of sleep that day. Please post how that can be correcte

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  31. I track my sleep with my Fitbit. Any word on if there would be a way to sync this data automatically with this? It would make participating much easier.

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    1. Hi, the problem is that Fitbit, for whatever reason, decided not to write to the Health app on the iPhone where we pull much of the information regarding steps, stairs, heart rate, etc. We are looking for other ways to collect such information for the fitbit and other wearables.

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