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Self-Reported versus Recorded Sleep Position: An
Observational Study
Susan J Gordon, BAppSc
Karen A
Grimmer, PhD
Patricia
Trott, M.AppSc
Centre
for Allied Health Research
University of South Australia
City East Campus
North Terrace, Adelaide
Australia
Citation:
Gordon, SJ, Grimmer, KA, Trott, P; Self reported versus recorded sleep
position: An observational study. The Internet Journal of Allied Health
Sciences and Practice. January 2004. Volume 2 Number 1.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the support and
co-operation of Drew Dawson, Director of the Centre for Sleep Research,
University of South Australia, in allowing us to use the facilities of the
Centre. We also wish to thank the staff of the centre for their assistance
during the study.
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Abstract
Background:
Patient reports of ‘usual’ and ‘recent’ sleep
positions are used by allied health professionals to direct the
management of waking and nocturnal musculoskeletal symptoms. However no
published studies have determined if self reports of sleep position are
valid, consistent or reliable. An observational study was conducted at the Centre
for Sleep Research of the University of South Australia. Twelve
subjects, four in each of the age groups 18 to 39 years, 40 to 59 years
and 60 years and over, without any known sleep disorders or
sleep-disturbing medical or emotional problems participated in the
study.
Subjects spent two non-consecutive nights in a
sleep laboratory, where an infra-red light source allowed their sleep
position during the night to be recorded on video. Prior to retiring,
subjects recorded the position in which they believed they spent the
most time during a ‘usual’ nights sleep. In the morning, they recorded
the position in which they believed they spent the most time during the
recorded nights sleep. Videos were viewed in order to count the number
of position shifts per night and to calculate the total amount of time
each subject spent lying prone, supine and on their side. Subjects’
pre- and post-sleep questionnaire responses were then compared to the
video record to determine validity, the amount of time spent in each
sleep position was compared across the two nights to determine
consistency and pre-and post-sleep questionnaire responses were compared
to determine reliability of self reported sleep position.
High correlation was found when comparing
subjects’ self report of their common sleep positions with the video
record. The sensitivity of self reported ‘usual’ night side lying sleep
position was 89% and ‘last’ night reports 95%. Sleep position was
consistent across repeated nights’ sleep, and there was good reliability
between subjects’ self report of ‘usual’ (92%) and ‘last night’ (83%)
sleep positions.
This study reports high validity, reliability and
consistency in self reports of ‘usual’ and ‘recent’ sleep positions.
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| Keywords:
Sleep position,
validity, reliability, consistency |
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