Using Wake-Up Tasks for Morning Behavior Change: Development and Usability Study

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Sleep Science
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Early morning behaviors can form productive habits, but sleep inertia hinders immediate post-waking performance.
• Sleep inertia reduces motivation and available time for beneficial morning activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore factors influencing morning behavior performance using wake-up tasks.
• To understand how implementing wake-up tasks affects morning behavior change.

Main Methods:

• Designed an apparatus for wake-up task alarms and squat exercises.
• Recruited 36 participants for a 2-week study involving morning squat exercises with wake-up tasks.
• Employed generalized estimating equation and thematic analysis for data evaluation.

Main Results:

• Wake-up tasks significantly correlated with target behavior completion (math task: P=.005; picture task: P<.001).
• Task completion time was associated with alarm dismissal time (P<.001).
• Theory of Planned Behavior variables showed significance, with varying magnitudes and directions.

Conclusions:

• Wake-up tasks are effective for achieving target morning behaviors.
• Key factors for morning behavior change include timely waking, overcoming sleep inertia, and prompt initiation of desired activities.