Designing a Wearable Technology-Based Sleep Intervention to Support Sleep Health Among Adolescents: Using a Participatory Design Approach

Introduction: Sleep problems during adolescence are increasingly common and have been associated with adverse physical and psychological health outcomes. Efforts to improve insufficient sleep among adolescents have resulted in increased sleep knowledge and temporary enhancements in sleep hygiene. Good sleep hygiene is
established through the development of daily routines that support healthy sleep. Wearable technology offers a potential solution whereby adolescents can acquire and manage healthy sleep habits. In this study, we are co-designing with adolescents a prototype intervention using wearable technology to promote sustained improvements in their sleep hygiene.

Methods: Guided by participatory design approaches, the ongoing multi-phase mixed methods study is currently being conducted in a metropolitan area in western Canada. In phase 1, sleep data is being collected from a sample of 30 adolescent-parent dyads using wearable sensors (Actigraphy watches) and self-report sleep measures (questionnaires about sleep quality, hygiene, and beliefs and attitudes, as well as their general health) over a 10-day period. In phases 2 and 3, individual interviews and iterative user interface design sessions will be conducted with 25 adolescents.

Results: To date, thirteen adolescents-parent dyads (13-17 years, 9 females; 39-56 years, 11 females) have completed phase 1 of our study. Data analysis is currently being conducted to evaluate sleep onset/offset, total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, and sleep schedule differences between adolescents and
their parents. Ten adolescents have completed individual interviews in phase 2 of the study. Preliminary qualitative data suggests that youth are aware of the importance of sleep to their overall health. However, they struggle with identifying credible information to act on from the various and sometimes conflicting sources (e.g. online,
friends, family).

Conclusion: We anticipate that co-designing a wearable solution with adolescents will lead to a sleep intervention that is more relevant, persuasive, and useful in supporting their sleep health.

Support: This work is supported by the Sensor Technology in Monitoring Movement STiMM Program.