Development, implementation, and evaluation of a sleep coaching program for the German armed forces

Abstract

Background

The prevalence of sleep problems in soldiers is higher than in the general population and impaired sleep prior to deployment increases the risk for developing new mental disorders after return from deployment. To prevent development of sleep disorders and concomitant psychiatric problems, early preventive strategies provided within occupational health management (OHM) programs are needed.

Objective

A sleep coaching program was developed and evaluated and is currently implemented as a preventive tool to improve sleep quality in the German armed forces. A four-step approach to development, evaluation, and dissemination of sleep coaching is presented.

Methods

In a first step, a sleep coaching program was developed and offered in a pilot phase of the OHM program of the German armed forces. In a next step, the sleep coaching program was comprehensively evaluated by ambulatory polysomnography and sleep-related questionnaires in a crossover waiting list study. In a third step, psychologists of the German armed forces will be trained to provide the sleep coaching program within the OHM program. The last step comprises development of an internet-based sleep coaching program to improve accessibility and availability.

Results

Sleep coaching is an effective tool for improving sleep quality in military personnel. In a pilot phase, measures of wellbeing, self-care behavior, and self-care awareness were positively influenced in participants of the sleep coaching program. In a second study, objective and subjective sleep quality improved significantly after participating in the sleep coaching program.

Conclusion

Sleep coaching is a preventive intervention method to improve sleep quality and increase health resilience by providing helpful strategies in case of (subjectively) impaired sleep.

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