Can a robot help people with sleep problems? That's what researchers at Karlstad University want to find out in a study that will begin in the spring.
The study is carried out within the framework of DigitalWell Arena's research initiative, DigitalWell Research. The robot included in the study (Somnox) has been on the market for a couple of years and has been developed by a Dutch company.
The sleep robot looks like a bean-shaped pillow to hug. It gives light pressure to the stomach and makes breathing noises, which is believed to be able to calm down the breathing rate. The sleep robot detects the user's breathing rate, it then starts moving at the same rate and then slows down the breathing rate. It is believed to be able to contribute to a physiological relaxation and possibly shorten the time to fall asleep.
- Influencing one's breathing is a common element in various psychological techniques to calm down or balance the nervous system. The basic principle is thus reasonable, but there is no published study on the effects, says Annika Norell-Clarke, associate professor of psychology and principal responsible for the study.
Currently, approximately ten percent of the population suffers from insomnia, i.e. a long time falling asleep, involuntary wakefulness during the night, or waking up too early. Far more, however, experience symptoms and are dissatisfied with their sleep, without fulfilling the diagnostic criteria.
- Insomnia is also linked to anxiety and depression. Värmland is the region in Sweden that prescribes the most antidepressants and tranquilizers, so we think it is particularly important to focus on and research other treatment options, says Siri Jakobsson Störe, PhD student and specialist psychologist, who is responsible for conducting the study.
After a first smaller sub-study, 32 people will then be included in a second study. Among other things, they will be allowed to provide information about their state of health and their sleep, for example how long it takes to fall asleep and whether you are involuntarily awake during the night.
Participants will be screened to ensure they have the type of problem the study intends to investigate. All participants in the study will undergo treatment, there is no untreated control group.
