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Clinical utility of smartphone applications for sleep physicians

  • Sleep Breathing Physiology and Disorders • Original Article
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Abstract

Purpose

To review various smartphone applications (apps) for sleep architecture and screening of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to outline their utility for sleep physicians.

Methods

Mobile application stores (Google Play and Apple iOS App Store) were searched for sleep analysis applications (apps) that are targeted for consumer use. Apps were identified by two independent investigators for apps published through July 2022. App information including parameters obtained for sleep analysis were extracted from each app.

Results

The search identified 50 apps that reported sufficient outcome measures to be considered for assessment. Half of the apps tracked sleep with phone-only technology, while 19 utilized sleep and fitness trackers, three utilized sleep-only wearable devices, and three utilized nearable devices. Seven apps provided data useful for tracking users for signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

Conclusion

There are a variety of sleep analysis apps available on the market to consumers currently. Though the sleep analysis of these apps may not be validated, sleep physicians should be aware of these apps to improve understanding and education of their patients.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

AHI:

Apnea–hypopnea index

App:

Applications

CPAP:

Continuous positive airway pressure device

EEG:

Electroencephalogram

EOG:

Electrooculogram

NREM:

Non-rapid eye movement sleep

OSA:

Obstructive sleep apnea

PPG:

Photoplethysmography

PSG:

Polysomnogram

REM:

Rapid eye movement sleep

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA

    Travis Hathorn & Ross Rosen

  2. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Interventional Sleep Surgery, University of South Florida, 13127 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Young Jae Byun & Abhay Sharma

Authors
  1. Travis Hathorn
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  2. Young Jae Byun
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  3. Ross Rosen
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  4. Abhay Sharma
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All authors have reviewed and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abhay Sharma.

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Hathorn, T., Byun, Y.J., Rosen, R. et al. Clinical utility of smartphone applications for sleep physicians. Sleep Breath 27, 2371–2377 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-023-02851-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-023-02851-y

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