Comparing different sleep diaries with activity tracker data

Abstract

Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders, and can have serious mental and physical consequences. Through recent technological and societal developments, new sleep monitoring and treatment methods such as the use of mobile applications are on the rise. As this field is relatively new, this present study aims to compare and evaluate 1) a standardized sleep diary (CSD), 2) a mobile application diary with 3) activity tracker data to assess which one is best suited for use in a mobile setting. Fifteen participants completed each diary for four nights while simultaneously wearing an activity tracker. The findings suggest that both diaries are good at assessing total sleep time, but are inconsistent on other parameters. Nevertheless, we conclude that the CSD performed the best in this scenario. A user experience questionnaire showed that the mobile application diary was rated considerably better and than the CSD however, and so it seems to be well suited for its intended purpose.