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Comparing Objective and Subjective Measures of Sleep Loss with Balance Performance in Farmers
Devan Sedlacek1, Matthew Beacom2, Sabin R Bista3
1College of Allied Health Professions, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health
|August 5, 2021
Summary
Sleep deprivation significantly impacts farmers' balance, increasing injury risk. Objective sleep measurements are more accurate than subjective ones for predicting balance performance in agricultural workers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Ergonomics
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Agricultural workers face significant risks of injury, with sleep deprivation being a key contributing factor.
- Previous night's sleep loss demonstrably affects balance, a critical component for farmer safety and performance.
- The reliability of sleep assessment methods in predicting functional outcomes like balance remains an area of interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive power of subjective and objective sleep measures on balance difficulty in farmers.
- To compare the efficacy of different sleep assessment tools in identifying balance impairments.
- To understand the relationship between sleep quality/quantity and static balance in the agricultural workforce.
Main Methods:
- Seven male farmers participated in a study involving 12 observation sessions across planting and harvest seasons.
- Objective sleep data was collected using Actiwatches, while subjective sleep quality and quantity were assessed via the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
- Static balance was quantified using Tekscan pressure mats, measuring center of pressure dynamics (area, displacement, range).
Main Results:
- Objective sleep measures demonstrated a stronger correlation with the magnitude of balance deviations compared to subjective measures.
- Sleep loss, objectively quantified, was found to be a significant predictor of impaired balance performance.
- Subjective reports of sleep quality did not correlate as strongly with balance deficits as objective sleep data.
Conclusions:
- Objective sleep monitoring provides a more reliable assessment of balance performance risks in farmers than subjective questionnaires.
- Addressing objectively measured sleep deficits is crucial for mitigating injury risks and improving safety in the agricultural population.
- Future interventions should consider objective sleep data for targeted improvements in farmer well-being and performance.
