Activity Monitor ("sleep watch") Studies
 

The Integrated Safety Support team have extensive experience in conducting field-based data collection using a variety of measures of sleep, fatigue, workload and performance. Integral to this data collection capacity is the use of Activity Monitors or "Actiwatches" (also referred to as "sleep watches") - to measure sleep timing and quantity.

Activity Monitors are wrist-worn devices which collect objective data to measure the amount of movement/activity over time. They can record for up to 45 days and the movement logged within the unit can be used to interpret the timing and length of sleep.

The objective data collected from the watches, is typically used in parallel with subjective data collected using sleep and work diaries - to enable the investigation of the effects of roster systems on sleep and fatigue. The image below shows how activity (black lines) is measured over time (each horizontal line represents 24 hours), and can be matched to work periods (red bars) and sleep periods (lower activity and blue bars). This information enables estimates of sleep length and timing in relation to the work schedule. Thus "sleep watch" studies can be used to provide high-resolution data to help provide assurance about the amounts of sleep being obtained by employees, contractors or managers.

To discuss options for investigating sleep and fatigue using sleepwatch studies, please contact Dr. Paula Mitchell at paula@integratedsafety.com.au or Dr. Adam Fletcher at adam@integratedsafety.com.au.