Traditionally, sleep research relied heavily on actigraphy for collecting data about sleep and wakefulness. While a standard method, actigraphy came with several drawbacks. The devices themselves were expensive, and the logistics of distributing them to study participants was cumbersome. Actigraphy relied on software algorithms to interpret movement data from accelerometers, providing for a fairly rough estimate of sleep and wake patterns. These limitations often required researchers to supplement actigraphy with manually kept sleep diaries, adding to the hassle and complexity of studies.
With the widespread adoption of modern wearable devices and smartphones, featuring increasingly sophisticated sensors, it is no surprise that actigraphy is now being replaced by more effective data collection methods. Unlike traditional actigraphy, which depended solely on accelerometer data, devices like iPhones can gather a wealth of information. For instance, an iPhone tracks stairs climbed, exercise routines, location, steps, sleep data, and even screen usage. This comprehensive dataset enables a far more accurate detection of sleep and wakefulness, as well as periods of ambiguity when neither state can be determined—a level of detail unattainable with older actigraphy watches.
Jeppesen’s latest version of the CrewAlert app, now available on the App Store, exemplifies this advancement by leveraging the Apple ecosystem’s capabilities (including iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch). The app uses richer data to not only log sleep with greater accuracy but also confirm wakefulness more reliably.
By enabling the “Health” feature and providing consent, users can watch their timeline gradually populate with precise sleep and wake patterns.
This enhanced accuracy in sleep and wake data directly improves predictions in the Boeing Alertness Model (BAM), providing even better insights into future alertness levels. With modern technology, understanding and managing fatigue has never been easier—or more precise. Nor scalable, should your FSAG consider doing a larger data collection.
Check out CrewAlert and experience the benefits of accurate sleep tracking. Enjoy!
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