Evaluating the efficacy and mechanisms of action of app-based audio tools for improved sleep health in working adult populations: Sleep skills, sounds and stories (University of Sussex in collaboration with Unmind)

Project background:

Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining physical and mental health. However, sleep disturbance and insomnia are very common. Insufficient sleep has been shown to adversely impact a range of outcomes including cognitive performance, mental health, emotional regulation, quality of life, relationship satisfaction, workplace and leisure activities. There is an urgent need for evidence-based interventions that improve sleep quantity and/or quality in working-age adults.

Smartphone-based mental health applications (or ‘MHapps’) are a prime delivery medium for sleep interventions, and standalone, audio-based tools (sleep skills, sounds and stories) for sleep designed for ad-hoc use by the general public have dramatically increased in popularity and availability in recent years. There is a lack of empirical evidence regarding the efficacy and mechanisms of app-based sleep tools. This collaborative PhD research program will address this gap in knowledge.

How to apply for this studentship

You must first apply for a place to study at the university where the research project is based, noting that you are applying for the collaborative studentship. Please go to the University of Sussex here to find more details on how to make your university application.

You will then need to make a separate application for this collaborative studentship using the SeNSS online application platform. The link to the application platform and the notes to guide you through this process are available here.

Start date for study: 1 October 2023.