SBIR/STTR Award attributes
This study aims to assess the acceptability of using router control, smart lighting, and state-of- the-art voice-controlled virtual assistants utilizing robust voice-recognition and AI, to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based behavioral therapy for chronic insufficient sleep in young adult cancer survivors (YACS). We propose delivery of evidence-based behavioral sleep medicine principles, customized to for the unique developmental and medical needs of YACS. This innovation empowers YACS to understand their sleep behaviors that interfere with getting sufficient sleep and to monitor their progress, including monitoring their use of devices (e.g., electronics) that impair sleep. The key technological components of this system include routers that allow individual monitoring and control over time online, color-changing smart bulbs to prevent the confusion of the brain’s internal clock, and custom software to deliver customized, screen-free, voice-driven behavioral sleep medicine strategies for YACS in the morning and evening (as well as sleep education on demand). The user interacts with voice recognition through spoken voice dialogs with an internet-connected speaker instead of a computer and keyboard and without the need for a light-emitting, distracting screen. Our custom software enables these disparate technologies work together under a simple user interface and that empowers YACS to make better sleep health decisions. We anticipate that the results will demonstrate feasibility and provide data to inform a Phase II study testing efficacy through a randomized controlled trial. This contribution is significant, because successful completion of Phase I aims will demonstrate how this product might advance the effective implementation of an evidence-based therapy that can scale to the growing population of YACS who are chronically deprived of sleep.Project Narrative We aim to develop and test delivery of evidence-based behavioral sleep medicine strategies customized for the unique developmental and medical needs of young adult cancer survivors (YACS) using a home device that integrates multiple technologies. The aims of this study are to understand YACS barriers and preferences for sleep health, develop a prototype that meets these needs, and test feasibility of the program prior to testing efficacy in a Phase II trial.
