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Introduction The rapid development in sleep related technology, particularly the emergence of sleep apps, has generated a need to uncover user characteristics and perceived effects. Methods A sample of 1,002 adult participants living in Norway completed an online questionnaire on the use and perceived effects of sleep apps (response rate 19.8%). The questions pertained to demographics, including age, sex and educational level in addition to insomnia symptoms assessed with Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS). The questionnaire also included 10 items focusing on perceived positive and negative effects of sleep app use. Composite scores for negative and positive effects were calculated (range 5–25, with higher scores indicating more negative and positive effects, respectively), and analyzed in relation to different characteristics (age, sex, education, insomnia) using t-tests and one-way ANOVAs. In addition, responses on each item were analyzed in relation to the different characteristics, using chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses. Results A total of 46.0% of the participants reported current or previous use of sleep apps. Usage was more prevalent among women and younger individuals (50 years) but was not associated with educational level or insomnia status. Mean composite score for positive effects was 14.57 ± 4.14, and the mean composite score for negative effects was 10.75 ± 3.85. Neither composite score was associated with sex, whereas both scores varied with age ( p 0.001 and p = 0.036, respectively), with the youngest respondents scoring highest on both scales. Mean composite scores on negative effects were higher in participants with lower education ( p = 0.012), and in individuals with insomnia (compared to those without insomnia, p 0.001). Conclusion These findings suggest that sleep apps are commonly used in the Norwegian population, and most common among women and younger individuals (50 years). Younger individuals appeared more responsive to sleep app feedback than older adults, both in terms of positive and negative effects, whereas individuals with lower education seemed more responsive to negative effects specifically. Of note, respondents with insomnia reported more negative effects of sleep app usage, suggesting that it may be wise to caution patients with sleep problems about such use.
Berge et al. (Fri,) studied this question.