Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of a sleep wearable headband among a community sample of chronic pain individuals: An at-home observational study

Abstract

Background Chronic pain conditions affect up to one third of the adult population in the United Kingdom. Sleep problems are prevalent and negatively impact quality of life. Lack of standardised tools for routine screening and assessment of sleep changes have been a barrier for sleep management. Novel sleep wearables offer an exciting and accessible way to measure sleep but have not been tested outside of the consumer-led landscape and are not commonly used in research and clinical settings. Aims The study aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a sleep monitoring headband (Dreem 2) utilising EEG technology and accompanying smartphone application among a cohort of adults with chronic pain. Results Twenty-one adults (81% women) completed a one-week home sleep study using a sleep headband and accompanying app. Ninety per cent of participants met the pre-defined requirement of two-night's sleep recording. All participants recorded one night of sleep data via the sleep headband. The majority (76%) of participants were satisfied with the sleep study, and 86% of participants were willing to wear the headband longer than the 2-night minimum requirement. Finally, 76% reported the headband as ‘somewhat’ or ‘extremely’ comfortable whist awake; 57% rated the headband as comfortable during sleep. Conclusion The Dreem 2 headband appears to be a feasible and acceptable means of collecting sleep measurements among individuals with chronic pain, despite common sleep disturbances. These devices may have utility for screening, assessment and monitoring in research and practice. Further research is needed to provide guidelines and training for integration.

Brain Waste Removal System and Sleep: Photobiomodulation as an Innovative Strategy for Night Therapy of Brain Diseases

“…The gadget can be controlled directly using a sleep-tracking device or mobile application that integrates data from various sources, including ambient conditions, e.g., room temperature, atmospheric pressure etc. Thus, there is a crucial challenge to design autonomous LED or laser light sources that are capable of providing the required therapeutic dose of light radiation in a certain region of the patient’s head without disturbing the sleeping patient, e.g., sleep-tracking headbands [ 142 , 144 ]. To minimize patient discomfort, advanced materials such as flexible organic LEDs can be used [ 173 , 174 ].…”

“…Currently, there are no technologies for simultaneous tPBM and sleep monitoring. Recent surveys of consumer sleep technologies demonstrate some demand for optional physical interventions during the sleep process aimed to improve the quality of sleep [ 140 ], although the requirement of strong scientific evidence to legitimize claims about utility, safety, and efficacy, as well as for informed choice and public trust, are emphasized [ 141 , 142 ]. Sleep technologies are presented on the market as various sleep-tracking devices [ 143 , 144 ] ( Figure 3 a–d).…”

“…Commercial sleep-tracking technologies include radars; near-infrared and thermal imaging devices; bedding-based sleep sensors; and wearable body sensors designed to be fixed on wrist, finger, feet, waist, chest or head [ 143 , 145 ]. Headbands are also capable of performing electroencephalography (EEG) recording and analysis that sufficiently improve sleep detection [ 142 , 144 ]. All sleep-tracking technologies use wireless interfaces to communicate with mobile devices utilizing applications for sleep monitoring.…”

“… Sleep-tracking gadgets: ( a ) BrainBit headband [ 143 ]; ( b ) Philips Smart Sleep Deep Sleep Headband [ 142 ]; ( c ) Oura ring smart sleep tracker [ 144 ]; ( d ) sleep tracker 2 mm thick belt to be placed under the sheet on a bed [ 144 ]. …”

The promise of portable remote auditory stimulation tools to enhance slow‐wave sleep and prevent cognitive decline

“…We first examine its application in a controlled laboratory setting and give an overview of available stimulation algorithms including their advantages and disadvantages. Many promising but rather small, cross-sectional laboratory-based studies exist (Wunderlin et al, 2021), and the consensus in the field is that larger, longitudinal studies are required.…”