Virtual sleep laboratory in Salzburg: learn to sleep properly
One thing is certain: the vast majority of us are unlikely to get enough sleep at night. For people between the ages of 18 and 65, seven to nine hours of sleep a day is ideal. When we walk in the realm of dreams, the brain remains active, processes experiences and consolidates the memory. It is estimated that around a quarter of the population in Austria suffers from sleep disorders.
People who even die of insomnia – also known as insomnia – can neither fall asleep nor stay asleep on a regular basis. Or they wake up early. This results in a perceived impairment in everyday life, such as concentration and attention disorders. But the immune system is also weakened by too little sleep, which can lead to a lower life expectancy.
Medication for sleep problems?
These people are in a state of overexcitation, which is why taking a sleeping pill would be an obvious choice. However, undesirable side effects such as dependence, habituation or memory disorders can also occur with medication. “Healthy sleep has positive effects on the immune system, memory and the cardiovascular system,” said the renowned sleep researcher Schabus in an interview with SALZBURG24 on Tuesday.
Simple tools against autumn fatigue
The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, outside it has now become much cooler and dreary. In short: autumn is here, which is why many people are feeling gloomy. …
So far, all those who have been looking for their sleep to be examined have been able to register for a corresponding examination at the sleep laboratory at the University of Salzburg – if a waiting period of over a quarter of a year is accepted. With the virtual sleep laboratory, the tiresome waiting is simply bypassed. “On the other hand, it is simply more comfortable to sleep at home than in a laboratory.” In isolated cases, doctors would already offer such a sleep laboratory for the home, but the new Salzburg application will provide the largest possible picture of the population’s sleeping habits. “We want to coach sleep,” says Schabus.
People who suffer from poor sleep receive a low-threshold and scientifically sound digital service to improve their sleep quality. Electroencephalography (EEG) measures brain, eye and muscle activity, records the times you fall asleep and wake up, and creates an individual sleep profile.
This is how the virtual sleep laboratory works
But how does it work? Answers come first to the preliminary talk and sleep history at the institute. You will be wired to an EEG within a few minutes to measure and graph outpatient brain activity. “Then we send people home and they can sleep in their familiar surroundings,” explains Schabus.
Sleep is started and analyzed for three nights. The data is then evaluated by the psychologists in the laboratory for sleep and consciousness research at the University of Salzburg. In this way, it can be shown how well dying is repeated, how many interruptions there are at night and in which sleep phases they take place.
This is followed by six-week digital sleep coaching based on an individual sleep model: the sleep model shows how long it took the study participant to fall asleep, how often they wake up at night, when they go through sleep phases and how long it takes to go back to sleep. In collaboration with psychologists, study participants are then given tips on proper sleep hygiene. These are indications of the right time to go to bed, but also relaxation exercises or rituals before bedtime.
Who can take part in the study
Anyone from the Salzburg area with sleep problems between the ages of 30 and 75 can take part. Exceptions are people with acute mental or neurological illness and those who die from sleep apnea. Incidentally, the virtual sleep laboratory is funded by the State of Salzburg and is free of charge as part of the study. You can find the registration for the study and further information HERE.
In the future, there will also be a wireless solution to give even more people the opportunity to check their sleep. The aim is not to have to come to university at all thanks to simple sensors.
Tips for a good night’s sleep
Schabus has another rule of thumb for a good night’s sleep ready: Go to bed regularly at the same time, “because the body adapts to it.” In addition, one should not necessarily hop under the covers at the end of an exciting thriller: “After arousal, we need relaxation”. And if you do toss and turn in bed, it is very helpful to get up after about 30 minutes and activate your body. After that, it is easier to fall asleep.
(Source: SALZBURG24)