BayMED Sleep Project

Project leader: Björn Eskofier, Jochen Klucken

Project members: Christine Martindale

Start date: 1. December 2017

End date: 30. September 2019

Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft und Medien, Energie und Technologie (StMWIVT) (ab 10/2013)

Project Partner website: Magisan

Abstract

The project ‚Schlafkur mit Begleitanalyse‘ aims to close a major gap in the market and offer citizens with sleep difficulties an accessible, effective and digitally supported solution. According to the Health Report 2017 of the DAK Gesundheit, 80% of the working population in Germany sleep poorly. One in ten workers suffer from sleep disorders, thus affecting over 1.5 million people in Bavaria.

We scientifically evaluate the combination of intelligent sleep intervention technology for sleep support, an intelligent sensor for sleep diagnostics and an individualized, IT-based intervention program for each participant with sleep problems. We plan to offer an efficient, low cost service to improve sleep as part of the digital health care industry in Bavaria.

The target group is mainly those in the 30-65 year-old age range of working persons suffering from non-organic sleep disorders. Because there are many types of non-organic sleep disorders: from severe, long-term insomnia to sleep disorders during menopause to mild, recurring problems with falling asleep or remaining so. Usually, these symptoms are independent of a true sleep disorder. Despite a considerable number of affected people, there is a lack of appropriate (self-) analysis and insight, due, in part, to poor social recognition of sleep disorders as well as a lack of diagnosis of the widespread disease "insomnia". This means that the mild to moderate limitations of the affected people do not have access to the appropriate medical or psychological treatment. This project now addresses this population aiming to improve the quality of life and to prevent chronic sleep disorders in the medium term; we provide the patient with individual and professional coaching to recover a restful and peaceful sleep.