Exploring longitudinal physiologic stress measurement and sleep quality interventions to improve psychological well-being in nurses: a pilot study.

Abstract

Introduction: Rates of depression, burnout, and anxiety among nurses are high. Improving sleep quality may mitigate psychological distress, but research on effective sleep interventions for nurses is limited. This pilot study explored the preliminary effects of the Somni© sleep quality kit on sleep, stress, and psychological health among nurses using continuous physiologic data from the Oura ring©.

Methods: A prospective pilot trial was conducted with 25 nurses. Participants wore the Oura ring© for eight weeks to collect data on heart rate variability (HRV) and sleep. The Somni© sleep kit, containing evidence-based sleep aids, was introduced from weeks 4-8. Participants completed surveys at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks to assess sleep quality, stress, burnout, and depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and linear mixed-effect models.

Results: The sample was predominantly White (64%), non-Hispanic (88%), and female (84%). Lavender spray and white noise machines were the most frequently used sleep aids. Self-reported sleep latency significantly decreased (p = 0.03), with a trend toward improved sleep quality. No significant changes were observed in physiologic metrics or depressive symptoms. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to small, with the greatest improvement in sleep latency.

Discussion: The Somni© sleep kit showed potential for improving self-reported sleep quality and sleep latency, especially through non-pharmacologic interventions. While the results were mixed, this study supports the feasibility of using wearable devices to track sleep and stress in nurses. Future research should include larger samples and investigate the long-term effects of sleep interventions on nurses' mental health.