Comparing sleep measures in cancer survivors: Self-reported sleep diary versus objective wearable sleep tracker Journal Article


Authors: Li, X.; Mao, J. J.; Garland, S. N.; Root, J.; Li, S. Q.; Ahles, T.; Liou, K. T.
Article Title: Comparing sleep measures in cancer survivors: Self-reported sleep diary versus objective wearable sleep tracker
Abstract: Purpose: Cancer survivors are increasingly using wearable fitness trackers, but it is unclear if they match traditional self-reported sleep diaries. We aimed to compare sleep data from Fitbit and the Consensus Sleep Diary (CSD) in this group. Methods: We analyzed data from two randomized clinical trials, using both CSD and Fitbit to collect sleep outcomes: total sleep time (TST), wake time after sleep onset (WASO), number of awakenings (NWAK), time in bed (TIB), and sleep efficiency (SE). Insomnia severity was measured by Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). We used the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients, and the Mann–Whitney test to compare sleep outcomes and assess their ability to distinguish insomnia severity levels between CSD and Fitbit data. Results: Among 62 participants, compared to CSD, Fitbit recorded longer TST by an average of 14.6 (SD = 84.9) minutes, longer WASO by an average of 28.7 (SD = 40.5) minutes, more NWAK by an average of 16.7 (SD = 6.6) times per night, and higher SE by an average of 7.1% (SD = 14.4); but shorter TIB by an average of 24.4 (SD = 71.5) minutes. All the differences were statistically significant (all p < 0.05), except for TST (p = 0.38). Moderate correlations were found for TST (r = 0.41, p = 0.001) and TIB (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). Compared to no/mild insomnia group, participants with clinical insomnia reported more NWAK (p = 0.009) and lower SE (p = 0.029) as measured by CSD, but there were no differences measured by Fitbit. Conclusions: TST was the only similar outcome between Fitbit and CSD. Our study highlights the advantages, disadvantages, and clinical utilization of sleep trackers in oncology. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.
Keywords: adult; controlled study; aged; middle aged; major clinical study; comparative study; neoplasm; neoplasms; randomized controlled trial; physiology; cancer survivor; self report; insomnia; etiology; cancer survivors; sleep; complication; arousal; sleep initiation and maintenance disorders; cancer; humans; human; male; female; article; insomnia severity index; malignant neoplasm; activity tracker; sleep time; european organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30; fitness trackers; fitbit; sleep diary; sleep tracker; wearable electronic devices; sleep efficiency; time in bed; wake after sleep onset; wearable computer
Journal Title: Supportive Care in Cancer
Volume: 32
Issue: 9
ISSN: 0941-4355
Publisher: Springer Verlag  
Date Published: 2024-09-01
Start Page: 601
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08788-6
PUBMED: 39167165
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PubMed record and PDF. Corresponding MSK author is Kevin T. Liou -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Tim A Ahles
    184 Ahles
  2. James Charles Root
    113 Root
  3. Jun J Mao
    247 Mao
  4. Qing Susan Li
    82 Li
  5. Kevin Liou
    41 Liou
  6. Xiaotong Li
    12 Li