Many children and teenagers use an iPhone sleep app or a
wristband sleep tracker, but how effective are these devices at monitoring
sleep and picking up abnormalities?
A free public lecture hosted by The Ritchie Centre - Hudson
Institute of Medical Research and Monash University, will examine the role of
these devices in children’s sleep.
The lecture, titled “Healthy Sleep in School Aged Children –
the role of commercial sleep trackers: Good or Bad?” will take place at Monash
Medical Centre on Wednesday, May 11.
Children’s sleep experts from The Ritchie Centre and the Melbourne
Children’s Sleep Centre, as well as top visiting US paediatric sleep expert,
Hawley Montgomery-Downs, will present their research on the topic.
Children’s sleep researcher at the Ritchie Centre - Hudson Institute
and Monash University, Professor Rosemary Horne, says the usefulness of sleep
trackers in recording sleep patterns may vary.
“Many children and teenagers now sleep with a smartphone app
ticking over under their pillow, or a movement tracker on their wrist, with the
intention of getting a better night’s sleep,” Professor Horne said.
“However, not all commercial sleep trackers have been clinically
proven to be effective in monitoring sleep patterns, or in detecting underlying
sleep conditions.
“Disrupted or short sleep, due to an underlying condition
like sleep disordered breathing or simply too busy life styles, can affect all
aspects of a child’s day-to-day life, including their behaviour, school performance
and psychological well-being.
“An accurate assessment of sleep, is the first step towards
helping children and their parents seek appropriate treatment for sleep
disorders,” she said. We need to understand how these new sleep trackers
contribute to the assessment of children’s sleep.
The forum is open to all members of the public, in
particular, parents of school-aged children and general practitioners.
The forum will take place on Wednesday, May 11, from 6pm –
7.30pm at the Monash Medical Centre, Lecture Theatre 1, Level 2 (main entry
from 246 Clayton Road).
To register attendance, or for further information, please
contact caroline.menara@hudson.org.au
or call: (03) 8572 2877.
Kristy Sheridan
Communications Officer
Hudson
Institute of Medical Research
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