O059 Examining the efficacy of the “SleepSync” app in improving sleep and performance in healthcare shift workers

Abstract Introduction Two-thirds of shift workers experience inadequate sleep. Disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms is linked to decrements in performance and negative consequences for overall health. This study examined the efficacy of SleepSync in improving sleep in and performance in shift working nurses. SleepSync is a personalised sleep-wake management app, codesigned with nurses that delivers circadian-based optimal times for sleep using biomathematical models of sleep-wake and alertness regulation (the Model of Arousal Dynamics). The app includes educational toolkits, recovery metrics and visualisations for health management and engagement. Methods In this open-label trial, 32 nurses (41.4±7.1y; 27f) used the SleepSync app for a six-week period, including two-weeks of baseline where the app provided no recommendations. Following baseline, participants received daily recommendations for their sleep, education regarding light exposure, caffeine consumption and alertness management. Measures reported here: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), PROMIS-Sleep Related Impairment (PROMIS-SRI), 3-min Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT; completed at multiple shifts). Results Preliminary analyses revealed improvements in ISI (Pre App Use=16.4±5.3; Post App Use=10.2±4.0; p<.001) and SHI (Pre App Use=27.6±8.3; Post App Use=20.5±5.1; p<.001), but not PROMIS-SRI. Median Reaction Time recorded improvement following the intervention and after controlling for shift type, start/end of shift and age (t-value = 4.2; p<.01). 75.0% reported the app satisfactory, 65.6% suggested they would recommend it to a friend. Conclusion The study provides initial evidence for efficacy of SleepSync app in improving sleep and performance in shift workers, with participant feedback being incorporated into further development and implementation of the app.