The influence of sleep on subjective well-being: An experience sampling study.

Previous research has associated sleep with subjective well-being (SWB), but less is known about the underlying within-person processes. In the current study, we investigated how self-reported and actigraphy-measured sleep parameters (sleep onset latency, sleep duration, sleep satisfaction, social jetlag, and sleep efficiency) influence SWB (positive affect [PA], negative affect [NA], and life satisfaction [LS]) at the within- and between-person levels. Multilevel analyses of data from 109 university students who completed a 2-week experience sampling study revealed that higher within-person sleep satisfaction was a significant predictor of all three components of next day's SWB (ps < .005). Higher between-person sleep satisfaction was also related to higher levels of PA and LS (ps < .005), whereas shorter self-reported between-person sleep onset latency was associated with higher PA and LS, and lower NA (ps < .05). However, longer actigraphy-measured within-person sleep onset latency was associated with higher next day's LS (p = .028). When including within- and between-person sleep parameters into the same models predicting SWB, only within- and between-person sleep satisfaction remained a significant predictor of all components of SWB. Additionally, we found an effect of higher self-reported within-person sleep onset latency on PA and of shorter self-reported within-person sleep duration on LS (ps < .05). Our results indicate that the evaluative component of sleep-sleep satisfaction-is most consistently linked with SWB. Thus, sleep interventions that are successful in not only altering sleep patterns but also enhancing sleep satisfaction may stand a better chance at improving students' SWB. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Management of Chronic Pain: Re-Centring Person-Centred Care.

The drive for a more person-centred approach in the broader field of clinical medicine is also gaining traction in chronic pain treatment. Despite current advances, a further departure from 'business as usual' is required to ensure that the care offered or received is not only effective but also considers personal values, goals, abilities, and day-to-day realities. Existing work typically focuses on explaining pain symptoms and the development of standardised interventions, at the risk of overlooking the broader consequences of pain in individuals' lives and individual differences in pain responses. This review underscores the importance of considering additional factors, such as the influence of chronic pain on an individual's sense of self. It explores innovative approaches to chronic pain management that have the potential to optimise effectiveness and offer person-centred care. Furthermore, it delves into research applying hybrid and individual formulations, along with self-monitoring technologies, to enhance pain assessment and the tailoring of management strategies. In conclusion, this review advocates for chronic pain management approaches that align with an individual's priorities and realities while fostering their active involvement in self-monitoring and self-management.

Cognitive factors and processes in models of insomnia: A systematic review.

Cognition is central to the experience of insomnia. Although unhelpful thoughts about and around insomnia are a primary treatment target of cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia, cognitive constructs are termed and conceptualised differently in different theories of insomnia proposed over the past decades. In search of consensus in thinking, the current systematic review identified cognitive factors and processes featured in theoretical models of insomnia and mapped any commonality between models. We systematically searched PsycINFO and PubMed for published theoretical articles on the development, maintenance and remission of insomnia, from inception of databases to February, 2023. A total of 2458 records were identified for title and abstract screening. Of these, 34 were selected for full-text assessment and 12 included for analysis and data synthesis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We identified nine distinguishable models of insomnia published between 1982 and 2023 and extracted 20 cognitive factors and processes featured in these models; 39 if sub-factors were counted. After assigning similarity ratings, we observed a high degree of overlap between constructs despite apparent differences in terminologies and measurement methods. As a result, we highlight shifts in thinking around cognitions associated with insomnia and discuss future directions.

Reducing Opioid Use for Chronic Pain With a Group-Based Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Opioid use for chronic nonmalignant pain can be harmful. Objective: To test whether a multicomponent, group-based, self-management intervention reduced opioid use and improved pain-related disability compared with usual care. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicentered, randomized clinical trial of 608 adults taking strong opioids (buprenorphine, dipipanone, morphine, diamorphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, oxycodone, papaveretum, pentazocine, pethidine, tapentadol, and tramadol) to treat chronic nonmalignant pain. The study was conducted in 191 primary care centers in England between May 17, 2017, and January 30, 2019. Final follow-up occurred March 18, 2020. Intervention: Participants were randomized 1:1 to either usual care or 3-day-long group sessions that emphasized skill-based learning and education, supplemented by 1-on-1 support delivered by a nurse and lay person for 12 months. Main Outcomes and Measures: The 2 primary outcomes were Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference Short Form 8a (PROMIS-PI-SF-8a) score (T-score range, 40.7-77; 77 indicates worst pain interference; minimal clinically important difference, 3.5) and the proportion of participants who discontinued opioids at 12 months, measured by self-report. Results: Of 608 participants randomized (mean age, 61 years; 362 female [60%]; median daily morphine equivalent dose, 46 mg [IQR, 25 to 79]), 440 (72%) completed 12-month follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference in PROMIS-PI-SF-8a scores between the 2 groups at 12-month follow-up (-4.1 in the intervention and -3.17 in the usual care groups; between-group difference: mean difference, -0.52 [95% CI, -1.94 to 0.89]; P = .15). At 12 months, opioid discontinuation occurred in 65 of 225 participants (29%) in the intervention group and 15 of 208 participants (7%) in the usual care group (odds ratio, 5.55 [95% CI, 2.80 to 10.99]; absolute difference, 21.7% [95% CI, 14.8% to 28.6%]; P < .001). Serious adverse events occurred in 8% (25/305) of the participants in the intervention group and 5% (16/303) of the participants in the usual care group. The most common serious adverse events were gastrointestinal (2% in the intervention group and 0% in the usual care group) and locomotor/musculoskeletal (2% in the intervention group and 1% in the usual care group). Four people (1%) in the intervention group received additional medical care for possible or probable symptoms of opioid withdrawal (shortness of breath, hot flushes, fever and pain, small intestinal bleed, and an overdose suicide attempt). Conclusions and Relevance: In people with chronic pain due to nonmalignant causes, compared with usual care, a group-based educational intervention that included group and individual support and skill-based learning significantly reduced patient-reported use of opioids, but had no effect on perceived pain interference with daily life activities. Trial Registration: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN49470934.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients with chronic pain, with and without co-occurring opioid use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with chronic pain and a co-occurring substance use disorder present higher risk of suicide, but the individual and joint impacts of chronic pain and substance use disorders on suicide risk are not well defined. The objective of this study was to exam the factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors in a cohort of patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), with or without concomitant opioid use disorder (OUD). DESIGN: Cross sectional cohort design. SETTING: Primary care clinics, pain clinics, and substance abuse treatment facilities in Pennsylvania, Washington, and Utah. SUBJECTS: In total, 609 adults with CNCP treated with long-term opioid therapy (>/= 6 months) who either developed an OUD (cases, n = 175) or displayed no evidence of OUD (controls, n = 434). METHODS: The predicted outcome was elevated suicidal behavior in patients with CNCP as indicated by a Suicide Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) score of 8 or above. The presence of CNCP and OUD were key predictors. Covariates included demographics, pain severity, psychiatric history, pain coping, social support, depression, pain catastrophizing and mental defeat. RESULTS: Participants with CNCP and co-occurring OUD had an increased odds ratio of 3.44 in reporting elevated suicide scores as compared to participants with chronic pain only. Multivariable modeling revealed that mental defeat, pain catastrophizing, depression, and having chronic pain, and co-occurring OUD significantly increased the odds of elevated suicide scores. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CNCP and co-morbid OUD are associated with a 3-fold increase in risk of suicide.

A feasibility study of pre-sleep audio and visual alpha brain entrainment for people with chronic pain and sleep disturbance.

Introduction: Chronic pain and sleep disturbance are bi-directionally related. Cortical electrical activity in the alpha frequency band can be enhanced with sensory stimulation via the phenomenon of entrainment, and may reduce pain perception. A smartphone based programme which delivers 10 Hz stimulation through flickering light or binaural beats was developed for use at night, pre-sleep, with the aim of improving night time pain and sleep and thereby subsequent pain and related daytime symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and give an indication of effect of this programme for individuals with chronic pain and sleep disturbance. Materials and methods: In a non-controlled feasibility study participants used audio or visual alpha entrainment for 30 min pre-sleep each night for 4 weeks, following a 1 week baseline period. The study was pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the ID NCT04176861. Results: 28 participants (79% female, mean age 45 years) completed the study with high levels of data completeness (86%) and intervention adherence (92%). Daily sleep diaries showed an increase compared to baseline in total sleep time of 29 min (p = 0.0033), reduction in sleep onset latency of 13 min (p = 0.0043), and increase in sleep efficiency of 4.7% (p = 0.0009). Daily 0-10 numerical rating scale of average pain at night improved by 0.5 points compared to baseline (p = 0.027). Standardised questionnaires showed significant within-participant improvements in sleep quality (change in median Global PSQI from 16 to 12.5), pain interference (change in median BPI Pain Interference from 7.5 to 6.8), fatigue (change in median MFI total score from 82.5 to 77), and depression and anxiety (change in median HADS depression score from 12 to 10.5 and anxiety from 13.5 to 11). Discussion: Pre-sleep use of a smartphone programme for alpha entrainment by audio or visual stimulation was feasible for individuals with chronic pain and sleep disturbance. The effect on symptoms requires further exploration in controlled studies.

Investigating mental defeat in individuals with chronic pain: Protocol for a longitudinal experience sampling study.

INTRODUCTION: Previous qualitative and cross-sectional research has identified a strong sense of mental defeat in people with chronic pain who also experience the greatest levels of distress and disability. This study will adopt a longitudinal experience sampling design to examine the within-person link between the sense of mental defeat and distress and disability associated with chronic pain. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We aim to recruit 198 participants (aged 18-65 years) with chronic pain, to complete two waves of experience sampling over 1 week, 6 months apart (time 1 and time 2). During each wave of experience sampling, the participants are asked to complete three short online surveys per day, to provide in-the-moment ratings of mental defeat, pain, medication usage, physical and social activity, stress, mood, self-compassion, and attention using visual analogue scales. Sleep and physical activity will be measured using a daily diary as well as with wrist actigraphy worn continuously by participants throughout each wave. Linear mixed models and Gaussian graphical models will be fit to the data to: (1) examine the within-person, day-to-day association of mental defeat with outcomes (ie, pain, physical/social activity, medication use and sleep), (2) examine the dynamic temporal and contemporaneous networks of mental defeat with all outcomes and the hypothesised mechanisms of outcomes (ie, perceived stress, mood, attention and self-compassion). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The current protocol has been approved by the Health Research Authority and West Midlands-Solihull Research Ethics Committee (Reference Number: 17/WM0053). The study is being conducted in adherence with the Declaration of Helsinki, Warwick Standard Operating Procedures and applicable UK legislation.

Judgement of sleep quality of the previous night changes as the day unfolds: A prospective experience sampling study.

How we form judgements of sleep quality is poorly understood. Emerging literature suggests that people infer their sleep quality based on multiple sources of accessible information, raising the possibility that sleep quality judgement may evolve as new relevant information becomes available. This study investigated whether people's rating of sleep quality of the night before changes throughout the following day, and what post-sleep factors are associated with the changes. A prospective experience sampling study of 119 healthy young adults, who completed eight short online surveys interspaced 2 hr apart from 08:00 hours to 22:00 hours. Each survey asked the participants to report total sleep time and sleep quality of the night before, and to provide ratings of current mood, physical and social activity, and pain/discomfort. A memory test was added to the final survey of the day to measure the participants' recall of their first survey responses to sleep quality, as well as total sleep time and mood. The absolute majority (91.1%) of the participants had one or more change in their sleep quality rating across the eight surveys. A similar percentage of change was found for mood rating (100%) but not total sleep time report (20.5%). Memory test in the final survey revealed that the within-person variations in sleep quality rating were not simply memory errors. Instead, positive physical activity post-sleep predicted increases in sleep quality rating. Therefore, judgement of sleep quality of the night before changes as the day unfolds, and post-sleep information can be used by people to infer their sleep quality.

The Self-Compassion Scale: Validation and Psychometric Properties within the Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Framework.

The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) is one of the several tools for measuring compassionate self-attitude. Despite its popularity, there is an ongoing controversy regarding its factor structure. Previous studies employing exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) found support for the single-bifactor (one general and six group factors) model over the competing two-bifactor (two general factors representing compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding and six group factors) model. Here, we replicated and extended previous ESEM studies through examining the validity and dimensionality of different bifactor models in a sample of UK adults. Model fit was examined across two estimators: maximum likelihood and weighted least square mean and variance adjusted. Finally, we investigated whether one or two observed scores of the SCS can better identify cases of depression, anxiety, and mental wellbeing. Both bifactor models showed good fit to the data irrespective of the estimators used, but only the single-bifactor model demonstrated satisfactory convergent and criterion validity and unidimensionality. The total observed SCS score detected depression, anxiety and high mental wellbeing with higher accuracy than any of the two scores. Overall, we propose to use the total score of the SCS in further research and practice.

Improving university students' mental health using multi-component and single-component sleep interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

University is a time of significant transitions during a young adult's life, with delayed and shortened sleep and poor mental health a common occurrence. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of both multi-component and single-component sleep interventions on improving university students' sleep and mental health. Five databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library) were searched for relevant literature published until April 2022. Treatment studies including university students aged 18-24 years, participating in a sleep intervention (multi-component, e.g., CBT-I, or single-component, e.g., sleep hygiene) were eligible. Comparator groups were either active, i.e., alternative intervention, or passive, i.e., waitlist control or treatment-as-usual, with study outcomes to include measures of sleep and mental health. Of 3435 references screened, 11 studies involving 5267 participants, with and without insomnia symptoms, were included for a narrative synthesis on intervention designs and methodology. Six studies eligible for meta-analyses showed a moderate effect of sleep interventions in reducing sleep disturbance (SMD = -0.548 [CI: -0.837, -0.258]) at post-treatment, alongside a small effect in improving anxiety (SMD = -0.226 [CI: -0.421, -0.031]) and depression (SMD = -0.295 [CI: -0.513, -0.077]). Meta-regression examining study and intervention characteristics identified subpopulation (experiencing insomnia or not) as a significant moderator for effects on sleep (p = 0.0003) and depression (p = 0.0063), with larger effects in studies with participants experiencing insomnia. Comparison group type (active or passive) was also a significant moderator (p = 0.0474), with larger effects on sleep in studies using passive comparison groups. Study type, delivery format, and intervention duration were not identified as significant moderators. At follow-ups, small but significant effects were sustained for anxiety and depression. Protecting and promoting sleep amongst university students may help safeguard and advance mental health.

Effects of a hybrid digital cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia and emotion regulation in the workplace (SLEEP): study protocol for a randomised waitlist control trial.

INTRODUCTION: This trial tests the efficacy of implementing a hybrid digital cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) and emotion regulation (ER) in the workplace. The study protocol follows the SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Intervention Trials) 2013 recommendations. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a mixed methods evaluation with a two-arm randomised waitlist control design of a 6-week dCBT-I+ER intervention through self-guided online platform and four videoconferencing therapy sessions. A process evaluation will examine the fidelity of delivery and experiences of the intervention. The primary outcomes are the Insomnia Severity Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7. The secondary outcomes are job productivity, job satisfaction, well-being, quality of life, self-reported (sleep diary data) and objective (actigraphy) sleep parameters, and usage of online intervention platform. Assessments take place at baseline (T0), week 8 post-treatment (T1) and week 12 postrandomisation (T2). We will recruit 156 workers with sleep and ER problems ranging from subclinical to clinical levels not engaged in treatment at the time of the trial. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Full approval was given by the University of Warwick Biomedical and Research Ethics Committee (BSREC 45/20-21). The current protocol version is 2.9_Dec21. Publication of results will inform the scientific, clinical and business communities through peer-reviewed articles, webinars, conferences and newsletters. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN13596153.

Pandemic and student mental health: mental health symptoms among university students and young adults after the first cycle of lockdown in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Early COVID-19 research suggests a detrimental impact of the initial lockdown on young people's mental health. AIMS: We investigated mental health among university students and young adults after the first UK lockdown and changes in symptoms over 6 months. METHOD: In total, 895 university students and 547 young adults not in higher education completed an online survey at T1 (July-September 2020). A subset of 201 university students also completed a 6 month follow-up survey at T2 (January-March 2021). Anxiety, depression, insomnia, substance misuse and suicide risk were assessed. RESULTS: At T1, approximately 40%, 25% and 33% of the participants reported moderate to severe anxiety and depression and substance misuse risk, clinically significant insomnia and suicidal risk. In participants reassessed at T2, reductions were observed in anxiety and depression but not in insomnia, substance misuse or suicidality. Student and non-student participants reported similar levels of mental health symptoms. Student status was not a significant marker of mental health symptoms, except for lower substance misuse risk.Cross-sectionally, greater symptoms across measures were consistently associated with younger age, pre-existing mental health conditions, being a carer, worse financial status, increased sleep irregularity and difficulty since lockdown. Longitudinally, T2 symptoms were consistently associated with worse financial status and increased difficulty sleeping at T1. However, these associations were attenuated when baseline mental health symptoms were adjusted for in the models. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health symptoms were prevalent in a large proportion of young people after the first UK lockdown. Risk factors identified may help characterise high-risk groups for enhanced support and inform interventions.

Development and testing of an opioid tapering self-management intervention for chronic pain: I-WOTCH.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the design, development and pilot of a multicomponent intervention aimed at supporting withdrawal of opioids for people with chronic non-malignant pain for future evaluation in the Improving the Wellbeing of people with Opioid Treated CHronic pain (I-WOTCH) randomised controlled trial. DESIGN: The I-WOTCH intervention draws on previous literature and collaboration with stakeholders (patient and public involvement). Intervention mapping and development activities of Behaviour Change Taxonomy are described. SETTING: The intervention development was conducted by a multidisciplinary team with clinical, academic and service user perspectives. The team had expertise in the development and testing of complex health behaviour interventions, opioid tapering and pain management in primary and secondary care, I.T programming, and software development-to develop an opioid tapering App. PARTICIPANTS: The I-WOTCH trial participants are adults (18 years and over) with chronic non-malignant pain using strong opioids for at least 3 months and on most days in the preceding month. OUTCOMES: A multicomponent self-management support package to help people using opioids for chronic non-malignant pain reduce opioid use. INTERVENTIONS AND RESULTS: Receiving information on the impact of long-term opioid use, and potential adverse effects were highlighted as important facilitators in making the decision to reduce opioids. Case studies of those who have successfully stopped taking opioids were also favoured as a facilitator to reduce opioid use. Barriers included the need for a 'trade-off to fill the deficit of the effect of the drug'. The final I-WOTCH intervention consists of an 8-10 week programme incorporating: education; problem-solving; motivation; group and one to one tailored planning; reflection and monitoring. A detailed facilitator manual was developed to promote consistent delivery of the intervention across the UK. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the development of an opioid reduction intervention package suitable for testing in the I-WOTCH randomised controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN49470934.

Cognitive-behavioural pathways from pain to poor sleep quality and emotional distress in the general population: The indirect effect of sleep-related anxiety and sleep hygiene.

OBJECTIVES: Pain can have a negative impact on sleep and emotional well-being. This study investigated whether this may be partly explained by maladaptive sleep-related cognitive and behavioural responses to pain, including heightened anxiety about sleep and suboptimal sleep hygiene. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from an online survey that collected information about pain (Brief Pain Inventory), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Sleep Hygiene Index; Anxiety and Preoccupation about Sleep Questionnaire) and emotional distress (PROMIS measures; Perceived Stress Scale). Structural equation modelling examined the tenability of a framework linking these factors. RESULTS: Of 468 survey respondents (mean age 39 years, 60% female), 29% reported pain (mean severity 1.12), most commonly in the spine or low back (28%). Pain severity correlated with poor sleep quality, poor sleep hygiene, anxiety about sleep and emotional distress. In the first structural equation model, indirect effects were identified between pain severity and sleep quality through anxiety about sleep (ß = .08, p < .001) and sleep hygiene (ß = .12, p < .001). In the second model, an indirect effect was identified between pain severity and emotional distress through sleep quality (ß = .19, p < .01). Combining these models, indirect effects were identified between pain severity and emotional distress through anxiety about sleep, sleep hygiene and sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides data to support the tenability of a theoretically guided framework linking pain, sleep and emotional distress. If upheld by experimental and/or longitudinal study, this framework holds the potential to inform public health initiatives and more comprehensive pain assessment.

Digital cognitive behavioural therapy intervention in the workplace: study protocol for a feasibility randomised waitlist-controlled trial to improve employee mental well-being, engagement and productivity.

INTRODUCTION: One in six workers experience some form of mental health problems at work costing the UK economy an estimated £70 billion/year. Digital interventions provide low cost and easily scalable delivery methods to implement psychological interventions in the workplace. This trial tests the feasibility of implementing a self-guided 8-week digital cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for subthreshold to clinical depression and/or anxiety versus waitlist control (ie, life as usual) in the workplace. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Feasibility of implementation will be tested using a mixed-methods evaluation of the two-arm randomised waitlist-control trial. Evaluation will include examination of organisational buy-in, and the engagement of employees through the trial indicated by the completion of outcome measures. In addition, we also explore how participants use the platform, the appropriateness of the analysis both with reference to the outcome measures and linear modelling. Finally, we examine the acceptability of the intervention based on participants experiences using qualitative interviews. Assessments take place at baseline (T0), at 8 weeks post-treatment (T1), at short-term follow-up 4 weeks post-treatment (T2) and long-term follow-ups (6 and 12 months after-end of treatment). We will recruit from 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2021 for employees and self-employed workers with depression and anxiety symptoms (subclinical and clinical levels) who are not seeking or engaged in treatment at the time of the trial. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Full approval was given by the University of Warwick Biomedical and Research Ethics Committee (BSREC 45/20-21). The current protocol version is 2.8 (August 2021). Publication of results in peer-reviewed journals will inform the scientific, clinical and business communities. We will disseminate results through webinars, conferences, newsletter as well as a lay summary of results on the study website (mhpp.me). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN31161020.

Insomnia and poor sleep quality during peripartum: a family issue with potential long term consequences on mental health.

BACKGROUND: Improving maternal's health is a worldwide priority. Sleep is a fundamental operating state of the central nervous system and it may be one of the most important psychophysiological processes for brain function and mental health. The study of maternal sleep problem including insomnia, however, implies deepening our understanding of family context. Family systems are dynamic and involve reciprocal interactions among members during day and night. So far, however, maternal and children's sleep has been rarely studied in a family perspective, and paternal sleep has often been neglected. METHODS: The present work summarizes in a narrative review the state of the art of our current knowledge on the role of insomnia and poor quality of sleep for mental health in all family members in the peripartum period. The mother, the father, the child and the family interactive perspectives are considered. RESULTS: Insomnia and poor sleep problems are frequent in all family members during peripartum. Poor sleep and insomnia symptoms are recognized as important risk factors for mental health in adults and children. Despite this alarming evidence, sleep is rarely assessed in clinical contexts. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical implications include the utmost relevance of assessing sleep problems during pregnancy and early post-partum. Insomnia and poor sleep quality should be evaluated and treated in the clinical practice by using a "family perspective."

Can a 'rewards-for-exercise app' increase physical activity, subjective well-being and sleep quality? An open-label single-arm trial among university staff with low to moderate physical activity levels.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the impact of a 'rewards-for-exercise' mobile application on physical activity, subjective well-being and sleep quality among 148 employees in a UK university with low to moderate physical activity levels. METHODS: A three-month open-label single-arm trial with a one-year follow-up after the end of the trial. Participants used the Sweatcoin application which converted their outdoor steps into a virtual currency used for the purchase of products available at the university campus' outlets, using an in-app marketplace. The primary outcome measure was self-reported physical activity. Secondary measures included device-measured physical activity, subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect), and self-reported sleep quality. RESULTS: The findings show an increase in self-reported physical activity (d = 0.34), life satisfaction (d = 0.31), positive affect (d = 0.29), and sleep quality (d = 0.22) during the three-month trial period. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that mobile incentives-for-exercise applications might increase physical activity levels, positive affect, and sleep quality, at least in the short term. The observed changes were not sustained 12 months after the end of the trial.