0553 Exploring the Prevalence of Sleep Tracking and Orthosomnia in a National Survey of Adults in the US

Abstract Introduction Wearable sleep technology has become increasingly small, precise, and affordable. As such technologies become increasingly accessible, concerns about the anxiety-inducing nature of sleep data have arisen, referred to as orthosomnia. In a nationally representative panel of adults in the United States (US), we explore the prevalence of sleep tracking, reasons for tracking, and orthosomnia. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a geographically representative sample of adults in the US. Participants were asked if they track their sleep using a digital tool, why they track, and whether their healthcare provider recommended they track. Those who did not track were asked for their reasons for not doing so. Using a 2-item direct measured adapted from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-2 (a validated measure to assess anxiety) to sleep tracking, we explore the prevalence of orthosomnia. Specifically, we adapted the PHQ-2 by asking participants if they felt “nervous, anxious or on edge” or were unable to “stop or control worrying about” data they obtained from their sleep tracker from never (0) to every day (3). Responses were summed then scored so that responses of 3 or higher indicated at risk for orthosomnia. Results Participants (n=1,280) were on average 47.4 years of age (sd=17.7 years), 47.0% female, 78.8% White, and 24.4% earn <$25,000. Among the sample, 32.4% report sleep tracking (n=415). Sleep tracking was more common among younger adults (p< 0.001), males (p< 0.001), and higher income earners (p< 0.001). The most common reason for not tracking was “not a priority” (n=57.6%). The most common reason for tracking was improve sleep (70.4%). Among those reporting sleep tracking, 33.0% reported their provider recommended that they do so and 30.9% scored positive for orthosomnia risk. Conclusion Approximately 1 in 3 US adults use a digital tool to track their sleep, suggesting a continued increase from previous estimatesThis study reveals that more than 30% of adults who track their sleep report symptoms of orthosomnia using our adapted measure, approximately twice the rate reported in prior estimates. Further research is needed to address this unintended consequence of sleep tracking. Support (if any) This research was supported by a gift from Oura Ring Ltd.