Sleep Medicine News

Researchers estimated that the health care costs of 13.6 million U.S. adults with a sleep disorder total approximately $94.9 billion annually.

More than half of Americans surveyed indicated experiencing an increase in sleep disturbances since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to results of the 2021 Sleep Prioritization Survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Middle-aged women enrolled in a large retrospective cohort study reported similar rates of sleep disturbances after 1 and 2 years of starting sleep medications, according to findings published in BMJ Open.

The American Academy of Neurology released an update to their 2014 position statement on telehealth in which they reiterate their call for expanding its use.

Tailored interventions that address pain, anxiety, fatigue or perceived stress may benefit women with breast cancer who experience sleep disturbance, according to study results presented at the virtual Oncology Nursing Society Congress.

The REST-ON trial, a phase 3 study of a sodium oxybate formulation for narcolepsy, demonstrated “significant consolidation of sleep” compared with placebo as well as improvements in sleep quality and narcolepsy symptoms.

Most participants with narcolepsy with cataplexy who took the sodium oxybate therapy Xyrem at the beginning of a randomized withdrawal study transitioned to lower-sodium oxybate at the same dose or within one titration step.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is encouraging health care professionals to ask Congress to hold a hearing on proposed legislation that would establish a permanent standard time nationwide.

March includes several events dedicated to sleep health and wellness. This week marked Sleep Awareness Week, commemorated by the National Sleep Foundation in the 7 days after daylight savings time begins. March 19 is World Sleep Day.

Since 1998, the National Sleep Foundation has commemorated Sleep Awareness Week in the 7 days immediately after daylight saving time begins to encourage the public to “prioritize sleep to improve health and well-being.”