Revolutionizing Sleep Medicine With Technology
April 5, 2025 — New technologies are redefining the landscape of sleep medicine, positively impacting patient care and diagnosis.
Carolyn M. D’Ambrosio, MS, MD, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, noted at the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting that a range of new devices and applications designed to detect and treat sleep disorders are emerging.
The Role of AI in Sleep Disorder Management
“Many new devices and apps are headed to the market to help detect sleep disorders and sometimes to treat them,” said Dr. D’Ambrosio.
Among these advancements is the Oura ring, a smaller device enhancing sleep health awareness. “As soon as I walk in the room, that’s the first thing I look for—‘Did they have a ring on?'” she mentioned, highlighting how the gathered data can assist in patient evaluations.
Emergence of Non-Wearable Devices
Dr. D’Ambrosio emphasized the potential of emerging non-wearable devices that assess sleep health from a bedside table. While she acknowledges uncertainty regarding their performance, she stated, “It’s coming, and all have some reasonable ability to detect sleep quality overall.”
Patient-Centric Innovations
In addition to devices, patient-focused apps are becoming essential tools in managing insomnia and sleep apnea. “The apps for insomnia treatment are very good, and primary care practitioners can encourage their patients to start with those,” she advised. New technologies for diagnosing and treating sleep apnea are also on the horizon.
Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changer
Artificial intelligence is at the forefront of these advancements. Dr. D’Ambrosio elaborated that machine learning models can “triage patients into specific, predefined pathways for sleep apnea and disorders, which can be extraordinarily helpful.” This approach allows practitioners to identify underlying issues, such as sleep apnea masquerading as insomnia.
The Challenge of Workforce Shortages
Addressing the current shortage of sleep specialists, Dr. D’Ambrosio pointed out that even in areas with many sleep doctors, the wait times for appointments can be extensive. AI and new technologies could alleviate some pressure on healthcare systems.
Innovation in Sleep Surveillance
Continuous positive airway pressure users can opt for continuous monitoring, enabling physicians to receive nightly reports on patient habits. However, Dr. D’Ambrosio acknowledged concerns about privacy, saying, “It’s a little Big Brother-ish, but we’re getting there.” As technology evolves, so does the approach toward sleep health, emphasizing the balance between monitoring and patient comfort.
Future Directions
Despite only Medicare-approved tools being recognized for diagnosing sleep disorders, Dr. D’Ambrosio remains optimistic: “I think we’re going to see that pretty soon. There’s a huge push for devices to detect sleep apnea or other sleep conditions in real-time.” The future of sleep medicine seems exciting and transformative, standing at the intersection of technology and health care.
For more information: contact Carolyn M. D’Ambrosio, MS, MD.
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