What is the SLUMBRx Study?

Scientists have found that not getting enough sleep can be connected to heart disease and diabetes. We are running a study called SLUMBRx to learn more about how sleep impacts these serious health conditions. If you join the SLUMBRx study, we will collect medical information from you at our state-of-the-art Exercise Science Research Laboratory at the University of Alabama. You can provide your sleep information from the comfort of your own home using special equipment. As a thank-you for participating in the SLUMBRx study, you will receive a free report about your health and we will give you a $200 Visa gift card! To sign up for SLUMBRx, click the "Enroll Now" button or scan the QR code below.
Welcome to the SLUMBRx Study Website! Questions? Contact Dr. Adam Knowlden, Principal Investigator of the SLUMBRx Research Project

What Information Do Participants Share?

Your Rights and Consent to Participate
  • Before we gather any health information from you, we will ask you to read and sign an informed consent document. This document explains your rights as a participant in the SLUMBRx study. You can read a copy of the consent document by downloading the form below. If you participate in the SLUMBRx study, you will also be provided with a paper copy of your consent form.

slumbrx_consent_forms.pdf
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Your Privacy and Safety Are Our #1 Concern
  • We take your privacy very seriously. Your health information will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared with anyone. It will be stored securely behind a password-protected and encrypted firewall, ensuring its safety.
  • When it comes to scientific publications and presentations, only group data, such as averages, will be reported. This is done to contribute to sleep health research. Your personal information, including your name, will be stored separately from your health information. This helps to make sure your privacy is safeguarded.

How the SLUMBRx Study Works.

To participate in the SLUMBRx study, we will need to collect your health information in two locations: the Exercise Science Laboratory at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) main campus and your own home. The entire SLUMBRx study lasts a little over one week and includes the following:
  1. Health Screening at the Exercise Science Lab: You will visit the Exercise Science Lab at the University of Alabama in a fasted state for a health screening. This screening will take approximately 2 hours to complete.
  2. Health Information Collection at Home: You will also provide health information from the comfort of your own home. This involves completing a series of surveys, wearing two activity monitors, and a one-night home sleep test.
  3. Follow-up Visit and Compensation: After completing the study, there will be a follow-up visit with Dr. Adam Knowlden at the University of Alabama. This visit will last around 30 minutes and during this time, you will receive your financial compensation and free copies of your health reports.

Throughout the study, our team will guide you through each step to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience.

The lab-based part of the study will take around 2 hours and involves the following procedures:
  1. Body Composition Assessment (30 minutes). We will use a BODPOD machine, formally called Air Displacement Plethysmography, to determine your body composition, including body fat percentage, body water, and muscle mass. We will also measure various dimensions of your body, such as waist, hips, and neck, using a tape measure. Additionally, body fat calipers will be used to measure body fat percentage. These measurements aim to understand the relationship between sleep and body composition. Please note that we will try to match you with a researcher of the same gender for the body composition assessment. However, it may not always be possible. If you feel uncomfortable removing your shirt (for males) or having a male researcher take your measurements (for females), you may want to reconsider participating in SLUMBRx.
  2. Health Assessment (50 minutes). We will use a procedure called Pulse Wave Velocity to determine your heart health. This procedure involves using ultrasound on your arm to examine your heart health and blood pressure. It helps us understand how these factors relate to sleep.
  3. Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Assessment (15 minutes). We will gently prick your index finger to collect a small drop of blood for testing cholesterol and blood sugar levels. These measures will provide insights into how sleep affects metabolism.

The home-based part of the study lasts for around one week and includes a 30-minute exit meeting. Here are the details:
  1. Equipment Return and Exit Meeting: You will return all study equipment to Dr. Knowlden at the University of Alabama, and parking expenses will be covered. During the 30-minute exit meeting, we will check that all the data has been completed and provide you with copies of all your health results. You will also receive financial compensation during this meeting.
  2. Wearable Activity Monitors: You will wear a FitBit on your wrist to measure your sleep patterns. Also, a small activity monitor will be placed on your thigh, formally called an inclinometer, to track your physical activity. Both of these wearable devices are water-resistant and can be kept on for the entire duration of the study.
  3. Daily Online Activities: Each day, you will complete a sleep diary entry and sync your FitBit using a secure website. You will also complete a short survey to let us know if you had to remove either of the wearable activity devices for an extended period of time. All of these activities typically take around 10 minutes to complete.
  4. Home Sleep Test Kit: You will use a home sleep test kit for one night. The home sleep test company we are working with will guide you through the process of using this equipment.
  5. Survey Sets: You will need to complete 5 sets of surveys. Each survey set typically takes about 1 hour to finish. Please note that some of the surveys ask about topics such as income, sexual health, and substance use. While we have taken measures to ensure your confidentiality, we understand that some individuals may feel uncomfortable answering questions on these subjects. If you are not comfortable, you may want to reconsider participating in SLUMBRx. It is important to gather this information as sleep can impact various health issues and help us develop future sleep health programs.
For participating in the lab-based component, you will receive a free copies of all the health reports ($500 value). For participating in the home-based component, you will receive prorated financial compensation of up to $200.

Step 1: Complete Screening Survey.

Interested in Enrolling in the SLUMBRx Study?
Click HERE to take the on-boarding survey.
To enroll in SLUMBRx we are looking for the following types of people:
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Able to visit the University of Alabama campus in-person
  • Currently employed
  • Currently operate a motor vehicle
  • Reliable home Internet, e-mail, and mobile phone number for sending and receiving text messages
  • Access to a personal computer, laptop, or tablet
  • Permanent home address
  • Committed to completing full study

We cannot enroll you in SLUMBRx if you have any of the following conditions or restrictions:
  • Pregnant
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Using a machine, formally called CPAP, to treat sleep apnea
  • Taking sleeping pills prescribed by a doctor
  • Unable to visit the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa campus in-person
  • Currently unemployed or do not operate a motor vehicle

To ensure a balanced representation, we are categorizing SLUMBRx participants based on their body mass index (BMI), which is determined by height and weight. If you are interested in joining the study, we advise you to act promptly. Please note that even if you meet all the study criteria, we may not be able to enroll you if a particular BMI group is already filled. Once you complete the screening survey, we will assess your eligibility and contact you if you meet the criteria and there are still available spots. At that time, we will also schedule your visit to the Exercise Science Lab as outlined in Step 3.

Step 2: SLUMBRx Study On-Boarding.

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Once you have enrolled in SLUMBRx, please wait for communication from Dr. Knowlden or a member of the SLUMBRx team. He will contact you either via email or phone, using the contact information you provided when you enrolled. Once you have spoken with Dr. Knowlden, please complete the following tasks:

  • Download the FitBit App on your smartphone from Google Play or the App Store before your visit.
    • Ensure your phone is fully charged when you visit the Exercise Science Lab, or you are likely to experience difficulties setting up your FitBit.
    • You can use your personal FitBit for SLUMBRx. However, it must be a model that records sleep.
    • Please “accept” all permissions required by the App (e.g., location, Bluetooth).
    • If you experience any issues with your FitBit over the duration of the SLUMBRx study, please contact FitBit 24/7 customer support: 1-877-623-4997.

  • Download the WatchPAT ONE App on your smartphone from Google Play or the App Store before your visit. The WatchPAT ONE is the name of the overnight home sleep test you will complete as part of the SLUMBRx study.
    • Please “accept” all permissions required by the App (e.g., location, Bluetooth).
    • If you experience any issues with your WatchPAT One, Overnight Home Sleep Test over the duration of the SLUMBRx study, please contact MedBridge 24/7 customer support at: 1-877-249-8331.

  • The SLUMBRx study used a Web-based app called HypKnowledge to track your sleep over the duration of the study. We will set up a free HypKnowledge account for you once you start the SLUMBRx study. In the meantime, we recommend you bookmark the Web-based App on your PC, laptop, or tablet. Once your account is set up, you will use your e-mail and your SLUMBRx password to access HypKnowledge.
    • Please note, the phone app for HypKnowledge is not fully developed. Please access HypKnowledge.com via the Web, instead of through the phone app.

  • We recommend creating a shortcut to the SLUMBRx Study Daily Task List for quick access to all study activities from your smartphone.

Step 3: Complete Lab-Based Portion of the Study.

It is important to allocate a total of 2 hours for your appointment with Dr. Knowlden, during which we will collect your health data at the Exercise Science Lab. Since the home-based part of the study includes sharing seven, back-to-back nights of sleep information, you will want to schedule your appointment during a week that will work best for you to complete the home-based activities.

During your visit to the Exercise Science Research Laboratory, Dr. Knowlden will guide you through the study consent process and provide you with detailed information about the study. Additionally, he will help you establish contact with the company assisting with your overnight home sleep test. Dr. Knowlden will then accompany you to the Exercise Science Lab, where your body composition data, blood droplet, and blood pressure will be collected. Lastly, he will schedule a follow-up appointment for you to return the study equipment and receive your payment for participating in the SLUMBRx study.

For the BODPOD (tests body composition), blood droplet (tests cholesterol and glucose), blood pressure (tests blood flow), and pulse wave (tests heart health) it is important that you:

  1. Arrive fasted. It is important that you do not eat on the day you visit the lab. You may bring a snack for after you finish the study.
  2. Avoid caffeine or alcohol on the day of your visit.
  3. Avoid tobacco products 2 hours before your visit.
  4. Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours leading up to your visit.

How to dress when you come to your lab appointment:
  • Please either wear or bring a short-sleeve t-shirt and a pair of shorts. The BODPOD is located in a private room where you will be able to change your clothing.

For the BODPOD, men must wear:
  • Form-fitting single layer/tight-fitting Lycra/spandex swimsuit like Speedo.
  • Compression bike-style shorts (with NO padding) similar to Under Armour type shorts.

For the BODPOD, women must wear:
  • Form-fitting single layer swimsuit in either one or two-piece.  Must be of Lycra/Spandex style similar to Speedo.
  • Compression bike-style shorts (with NO padding) or volleyball-style shorts and sports bra with no padding or wires.


Spandex / Compression Clothing for BODPOD.

Exercise Science Research Lab Location & Parking.

The first part of SLUMBRx will take place at the Exercise Science Laboratory, which is on the 2nd floor of Wade Hall. 

Exercise Science Laboratory Physical Address:
The University of Alabama
Wade Hall
620 Judy Bonner Dr.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

GPS MAP TO WADE HALL:
https://map.concept3d.com/?id=1222#!dir/?m/324785?s/

Please park in the designated parking spot reserved specifically for study participants. Reserved parking spots for SLUMBRx are located directly next to the handicapped parking spots. Designated parking is highlighted in yellow on the picture of the Wade Hall parking lot located on this webpage.

GPS MAP TO PARKING FOR RESEARCH STUDY PARTICIPANTS:
https://map.concept3d.com/?id=1222#!dir/?m/320998?s/

After parking, please meet Dr. Knowlden near the entrance of Wade Hall that faces Judy Bonner Dr. This entrance is highlighted in yellow in the picture of Wade Hall. When you arrive, a member of the SLUMBRx team will provide you with a parking pass. Please place the parking pass on your vehicle dashboard during your visit.

The GPS Map links above will take you to UA Maps. From the link, you can select to either enter your starting address or allow UA Maps to use your current location to provide GPS directions.
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Kinesiology Laboratory Physical Address: The University of Alabama, Wade Hall, 620 Judy Bonner Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401
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Please park in the designated parking spot (outlined in yellow). Once you arrive at Wade Hall, Dr. Knowlden will meet you outside of the building by the set of double doors facing Judy Bonner Dr. (outlined in yellow)

Step 4: Complete Home-Based Portion of the Study.

Wearable Devices:
  • During the at-home portion of the study, you will be provided with a FitBit and a thigh activity monitor to wear. These devices are designed to monitor your sleep patterns and activities. They are waterproof and non-invasive, so we kindly request that you keep them on until your follow-up appointment with Dr. Knowlden.
  • To participate in the study, we will also ask you to log on to HypKnowledge every day. This will involve completing a sleep diary entry and syncing your FitBit. These tasks should take approximately 2-5 minutes to complete. Please note that the HypKnowledge smartphone app is still being developed, so you will need to use a personal computer (PC), laptop, or tablet to access the Web-based app and complete the daily sleep diary and FitBit sync.
  • Additionally, there are a set of surveys we will ask you to complete throughout the week. There are a total of 5 survey sets, and each one takes approximately 30-60 minutes to finish. You can conveniently complete these survey sets on your smartphone.
Overnight Home Sleep Test:
  • The WatchPAT One is the name of the Overnight Home Sleep Test device you will use for the SLUMBRx study. Formally, the device uses peripheral arterial tonometry to detect changes in your blood oxygen level while you sleep.
  • The majority of participants only need to do the Overnight Home Sleep Test one time over the duration of the SLUMBRx study. As the device is disposable, you will not need to return ship the device once Dr. Knowlden confirms your data were received. If you experience any issues setting up your Overnight Home Sleep Test, please contact MedBridge 24/7 customer support at: 1-877-249-8331.

Step 5: Attend Follow-Up Appointment with Dr. Knowlden.

Once you have finished the study, please schedule a meeting with Dr. Knowlden at Russell Hall on the main campus of the University of Alabama. The home-based portion of the SLUMBRx study lasts for one week, starting the day after the lab-based portion is completed. Once you are contacted to schedule your on-boarding appointment, please be sure you are able to commit to completing all the study activities over the week you will be in the study.

During your meeting with Dr. Knowlden, please plan to:
  • Drop off the study equipment.
  • Review your data for completion.
  • You will receive a $200 Visa Gift Card as compensation for your participation in the study. The payment amount will be adjusted based on the completion of the study requirements. It's important to note that if you receive $600 or more of reportable income from the university in a calendar year, you will need to report the value of the gift card for tax purposes on Form 1099. If you meet this criteria, we will collect the necessary information (such as your social security number or CWID for University of Alabama employees) to provide to the University of Alabama Accounts Payable Department for tax purposes when you sign for your gift card.
  • Receive a copy of your health reports ($500 value). This may be sent to you at a later time, depending on timeline of home sleep test interpretation.

Parking for Study Exit Meeting with Dr. Knowlden.

Parking for Research Study Participants:
During your lab visit, you will be given a temporary parking pass that you may place on your dashboard to use for your study exit meeting with Dr. Knowlden.

Please park in the designated, Baptist Campus Ministries (BCM) parking lot (outlined in yellow in the image). As the BCM parking lot is surrounded by churches, its nickname is the "God Quad."

GOOGLE MAP TO "GOD QUAD" PARKING LOT:
https://goo.gl/maps/TaDZVpTdwjoztpoQ7

GPS MAP TO "GOD QUAD" PARKING LOT: https://map.concept3d.com/?id=1222#!m/320815

From the God Quad parking lot, use the walking path through Gribbin Park to access the crosswalk at University Blvd. and Hackberry Ln.

Russell Hall is located at 504 University Blvd. Once you arrive at Russell Hall, Dr. Knowlden will meet you outside the double doors facing University Blvd. (marked with a yellow "X") and will escort you to his office.

Russell Hall Physical Address:
The University of Alabama
Russell Hall
504 University Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

GOOGLE MAP TO RUSSELL HALL:
https://goo.gl/maps/sCjZAAg29r3Hcr1u5

GPS MAP TO RUSSELL HALL:
https://map.concept3d.com/?id=1222#!m/324815

The GPS Map links above will take you to UA Maps. From the link, you can select to either enter your starting address or allow UA Maps to use your current location to provide GPS directions.
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Russell Hall Physical Address: The University of Alabama Russell Hall 504 University Blvd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
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Please use the cross walk at University Blvd. and Hackberry Ln. to access Russell Hall.

Meet the SLUMBRx Team...

From left to right: Adam P. Knowlden, PhD (PI); John C. Higginbotham, PhD; James Geyer, MD; Michael A. Grandner, PhD; Michael R. Esco, PhD; Michael V. Fedewa, PhD; John P. Allegrante, PhD; Hayley V. MacDonald, PhD; Lee J. Winchester, PhD.