Study reveals sleep apps may increase stress for those with insomnia
Research finds some users experience heightened anxiety due to app use
A recent study suggests that sleep apps could contribute to heightened stress among those with insomnia, despite their popularity in monitoring and improving sleep habits.
Researchers from Norway discovered that sleep apps, which often rely on sensors integrated with wearable devices like smartwatches, have seen a significant rise in use.
While these apps track various sleep metrics and provide users with a "sleep score," their accuracy and impact on sleep quality vary widely.
The study, published in Frontiers In Psychology, surveyed 1,002 participants, with an average age of 50, to evaluate their experiences with sleep apps.
Out of these, 461 individuals said they currently or previously used sleep apps, predominantly through smartwatches.
The findings revealed that while 48% of users reported learning more about their sleep, negative effects included increased anxiety about sleep, reported by 17% of participants.
Younger users, particularly those aged 18 to 50, experienced both positive and negative effects more intensely than older adults.
The team said sleep apps generally track the time people go to sleep, how long they sleep for and some have data on the quality of sleep, offering a “sleep score”.
For their study, they recruited 508 men and 494 women with an average age of 50.
Some 461 said they currently used a sleep app or had done so previously, with most relying on a smartwatch (411), followed by a mobile app (65).
Sleep app use was more common among women than men.
"Minimise screen time before bedtime.”
Researchers observed that people with insomnia were more likely to report negative impacts, such as stress and worry related to sleep.
The study suggested that these individuals might exhibit heightened focus on sleep-related threats and possess dysfunctional beliefs about sleep.
Researcher Karl Lundekvam, from the University of Bergen, said: “We would urge people who get more stressed by using sleep apps to learn more about which measures they use and how accurate they are.
“If this does not calm your worries, you should consider taking off your sleep app device during the night-time or turning off notifications.
“We encourage sleep app users to use the feedback as motivation to create helpful sleeping habits.
“For instance, minimise screen time before bedtime.”
Hakon Berge, of the University of Bergen, said: “We would also encourage people to listen to their body and go to bed when you actually feel tired.
“The bed and the bedroom should be associated with sleep, and going to bed before your body is ready to sleep will cause you to lie awake in bed, and this may exacerbate your sleep problems further.
“It is more beneficial to go to bed when your need for sleep actually requires it.”