Examining the Feasibility of an App-based Sleep Intervention for Shiftworkers Using the RE-AIM Framework.

Area of Science:

• Sleep Science
• Digital Health Interventions
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Shift work is associated with significant sleep disturbances and negative health outcomes.
• App-based interventions offer a scalable approach to address sleep health challenges in diverse populations.
• The Sleepfit app was developed to provide tailored sleep support for individuals with non-standard work schedules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of the Sleepfit app, an app-based sleep intervention for shiftworkers.
• To evaluate participant reach, engagement, and interaction with the Sleepfit intervention.
• To understand barriers and facilitators to app-based sleep intervention adherence among shiftworkers.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework for feasibility assessment.
• 110 shiftworkers from various industries participated in a 14-day trial of the Sleepfit app.
• Data collection included baseline and post-intervention surveys, and app usage metrics (daily usage, activities completed).

Main Results:

• 48% of enrolled shiftworkers completed post-intervention assessments, with 30.9% adhering to the full protocol.
• 85.4% of participants who completed baseline surveys downloaded and used the Sleepfit app.
• Participants engaged with an average of 17.3% of app activities, with "Coping with Shiftwork" modules showing highest engagement; common reasons for discontinuation included lack of time and interest.

Conclusions:

• App-based interventions like Sleepfit demonstrate potential feasibility for improving shiftworkers' sleep health.
• Tailored and relevant content is crucial for engagement in digital sleep interventions.
• Future research should explore longer intervention durations, larger sample sizes, and integration with wearable technology for enhanced data and sustained effects.