���ϳԹ���Դ

A new proof-of-concept study led by our researchers at SEFAS, University of Bergen, has shown that wearable sensor technology can help uncover important links between daytime activity and sleep quality in nursing home residents with dementia. 

Published in the journal Sensors, the study “Use of Digital Biomarkers from Sensing Technologies to Explore the Relationship Between Daytime Activity Levels and Sleep Quality in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia” investigated how digital biomarkers can complement traditional assessment tools in dementia care. 

“People with dementia often experience inactivity and behavioral symptoms, but current assessments rely heavily on proxy reports,” says first author Lydia D. Boyle. “We wanted to explore whether wearable sensors could provide a more objective and continuous picture of their daily activity and sleep.” 

The research team used Garmin Vivoactive5 smartwatches and Somnofy sleep monitors to collect 42 day/night data pairs from 11 nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia (average age 84). The sensors tracked physical activity, sleep efficiency, sleep regularity, and wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO), among other parameters. 

Key findings include: 

• A negative correlation between daytime activity and WASO, suggesting that more active days may lead to fewer nighttime awakenings.
• A positive correlation between activity and sleep regularity, indicating that consistent activity may support more regular sleep patterns.
• Sensing technologies and the use of digital biomarkers have the potential to identify subtle changes in physical activity levels and sleep quality, improving clinical assessment and the corresponding care recommendations. 

While the study confirms the feasibility of using wearable sensors in nursing home settings, it also notes limitations such as a lack of universal metrics for digital biomarkers. Still, the results point to a promising future where technology can help detect subtle changes in behavior and support more personalized care. 

“This is an important step toward using digital tools to improve the quality of life for people with dementia,” says Professor Bettina Husebø, senior author and head of SEFAS. “By better understanding the interplay between activity and sleep, we can tailor interventions that truly meet the needs of each individual.” 

This work was done in the DIPH.DEM study, which is an external pilot project for the larger 5-D project.  

The study was conducted in collaboration with at Haukeland University Hospital and the University of Bergen, Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, and international partners at the University Politehnica of Bucharest. Financial support for the study was from The Western Norway Regional Health Authorities (Helse Vest) through Neuro-Sysmed/Haukeland University Hospital. 

.