Ah, technology. When it comes to finding a cure for insomnia it seems to hold so much promise. From beds to chairs to iPhone apps. We’re skeptical of all of them, but the latest product about to hit the market (at least in Japan) may sway us a little.
The Tanita Sleep Scan Mat fits under your mattress and records your body motion, breathing rate and pulse throughout the night. All this information is stored on a removable SD card which can then be analyzed to help you figure out the quality of your sleep.
This seems to be a new slant on sleep monitors – but we can definitely see this type of product being a useful alternative or addition to regular sleep studies. Trying to fall asleep in a lab must be far more difficult than trying to sleep in your own bed – which would likely affect a sleep lab’s findings. Furthermore, this device can record up to 500 sleep cycles rather than a typical sleep study which records only one.
Of course, the equipment used in professional sleep studies is going to be far more accurate and take far more measurements. However, this product might just be worth keeping an eye on.
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Sounds promising.
I’m a side sleeper, I prefer not to wear clothing, and I want a cool room with air movement. Heck, even a cold room so I can snuggle down into my comforter without sweating, which causes me to wake up & stay awake too long for my preference.
With 2 cannulae up my nose, leads taped all over, the room at 68F, having to wear clothing, can’t masturbate, aware that there’s a camera focused on you, and having to stay on my back…yes, I sure can sleep under *those* conditions!
Only thing it proved, since I wasn’t in an insomnia cycle at the time, was that I might have a slight problem with restless leg. Didn’t then, do now. Sometimes it starts after dinner, sometimes just as I’m wanting to sleep. Requip doesn’t always work well enough, either.
If the mat is not crumply-noisy, or crumply-texture under me, I’d be willing to give it a try, next time I’m having a severe cycle.
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