Information for Participants 

This general information sheet lets you know what to expect if you participate in a sleep study. Please take time to read this document carefully before deciding whether or not you would like to participate.

1.      Eligibility

Each sleep study in the SLAM lab will have its own eligibility criteria, generally however, the following must be met for you to take part in a sleep study.

You must NOT:

• Be currently taking any psycho-active medication.
• Be a smoker.
• Have any prior history of drug, alcohol or solvent abuse, neurological, psychiatric or sleep disorders.
• Consume any alcoholic, caffeinated (including chocolate and energy drinks) or tobacco-based products within 24 hours of the start of the study.  

You must:

• Have a normal sleep-wake pattern where you would typically rise by 8am each morning, after at least 6 hours sleep per night or longer.
• Tell us of any skin condition that may be irritated by attaching the sleep recording sensors.

2.      Typical procedure

After arriving at the SLAM lab, you will be asked to read the study information sheet and sign experimental consent forms. You will then be asked to change into something you are comfortable sleeping in. Sleep recording equipment will then be set-up which can take up to 40 minutes (further details on the equipment are provided below). Typically, following equipment set-up, you will perform a number of cognitive tasks (these will vary from study to study) and then be given the opportunity to sleep in the Sleep Lab. Depending upon the specific study, this may be for up to 8 hours overnight or for 90-minutes during the afternoon. A researcher will monitor your sleep from the control room, and you will have a remote alarm available to you in case you need to attract the attention of the researcher at any point during this time.

Following the sleep phase, you will be woken up and the sleep monitoring equipment will be removed. You will then complete further cognitive tasks before being given the opportunity to take a shower. The exact details and order of the procedures may differ across experiments.

[Note: The experimenter is able to monitor your sleep through the recording sensors placed on your scalp. No video recordings or live video feeds are used in the sleep lab.]

3.      FAQs

What is involved in the sleep recording equipment?

To record your sleep, we set up various electrode sensors on your face and head that monitor different aspects of your physiology. None of these sensors will disturb your normal brain or body activity and are not dangerous in any way. We attach the sensors using a sticky gel and medical tape. In order to ensure a good recording, we may need to clean the surface of your scalp with an exfoliating agent and cotton buds. The friction from this may cause a little discomfort. The sleep recording set up will take about 40 minutes. Although this may seem like a lot of equipment, your body will quickly become used to it and you should be able to fall asleep in our laboratory bedroom quite easily.

After the sleep period we will wake you up and the sleep recording equipment will be removed. Due to the use of the sticky gel and medical tape, this can cause a little discomfort. We provide shower facilities so you can wash the gel out of your hair. Although we can offer shampoo and shower gel, you may wish to bring your favourite brand so please bring these with you on the study day, along with any toiletries that you would normally use.

What do I need to bring to the lab on the day of the study?

-          Something that you are comfortable sleeping in (i.e. pyjamas). Although the sticky gel used to attach the sleep recording sensors will wash out of clothing, we advise that you don’t sleep in valuable clothing.

-          A towel for taking a shower afterwards. We provide shampoo and shower gel, although you may bring your own along with any other toiletries you would like to use.

Do I need to prepare anything?

-          Get up at a normal time on the morning of the study and do not nap during the day.

-          Eat well before you arrive.

-          Wash your hair (please ensure your hair is dry before you arrive).

-          Remove any hair extensions, weaves or wigs (this can be done in the lab).

-          Remove any make-up and do not use hair products.

-          Clean shave facial hair (if possible).

It should be noted that there is a possibility that female participants will be tested by a male researcher, and vice versa. However, in instances where the researcher is a different gender to the participant, there will never be fewer than three individuals present throughout the entire night (i.e. one researcher and two participants, or two researchers and one participant). All researchers have enhanced DBS clearance. If you are uncomfortable with this policy, we request that you do not sign up for overnight experiments.

This general information sheet lets you know what to expect if you participate in an overnight sleep deprivation study. It also informs you about: the potential risks associated with sleep deprivation, the measures put in place to ensure your comfort and safety, and what to do after taking part in a sleep deprivation study. Please take time to read this document carefully before deciding whether or not you would like to participate.

1.      Eligibility

Before you can be entered on to a sleep deprivation study, you must fill out the SDE Screening Questionnaire, which includes questions regarding your health and sleep habits. The information that you provide on this questionnaire will be used by the researchers to determine whether or not you are a suitable participant for a sleep deprivation study.

Some studies may require you to meet additional eligibility requirements. In these instances, you will be informed about the eligibility criteria in the participant information sheet unique to that specific study.

2.      Typical procedure

Sleep deprivation studies typically last for 24-hours. You will be asked to wake as usual on the day of the study (by 8AM) and remain awake throughout the day (without taking naps). In the evening of the study, you will be asked to come to the Psychology Department and complete a set of cognitive tasks (these will vary from study to study). During the sleep deprivation interval overnight, you must remain awake under the supervision of at least one researcher (for details about the sleep deprivation interval see: Section 5 – ‘FAQs’). Following the sleep deprivation interval, you will normally be asked to complete further cognitive tasks. You will then be free to return home using a safe mode of transport (for details about safe transport, see: Section 4.3 – ‘After the study’).

3.      Potential health risks

It is important that you are aware of some potential health risks associated with sleep deprivation before you agree to participate in a sleep deprivation study. Firstly, you are likely to experience an overall decrease in cognitive performance during the day following an overnight sleep deprivation study. We advise that you avoid participating in a sleep deprivation study on the night before any important work or social commitments. Furthermore, sleep plays an important role in our emotional wellbeing. Whilst sleep deprived, you may be more prone to mood swings and impulsive behaviours. The cognitive and emotional decrements associated with sleep deprivation may increase your susceptibility to injury and accidents whilst sleep deprived.

Although it is clear that healthy sleep is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, we do not expect that a single night of sleep deprivation will pose any significant long-term health risks to the majority of people. Nonetheless, it is essential that you take the risks associated with sleep deprivation into account when deciding whether or not you would like to participate in a sleep deprivation study.

4.      Safety measures

4.1. Before the study

As discussed in Section 1, the researchers will be able to make a decision regarding your suitability as a participant in a sleep deprivation study based on the information that you provide in the SDE Screening Questionnaire. We will not invite prospective participants to take part in a sleep deprivation study unless it is reasonable to assume that it is safe for them to do so.

4.2. During the study

Several measures will be put in place to ensure your safety and comfort during the overnight sleep interval. These measures include:

• Security. The University campus security team will be aware of any overnight sleep deprivation experiments that take place, and will patrol the area periodically. You will be reminded of the campus security telephone number, in addition to other emergency numbers.
• Supervision. At no point during the study will you be left alone; at least one researcher will be present at all times. Furthermore, sleep deprivation studies typically test participants in groups of three or four, so it is unlikely that you will be the only participant taking part in the study.
• Withdrawal. At any time during the study you are free to withdraw your participation consent, without providing any reason for your decision to withdraw. If you choose to withdraw from a sleep deprivation study during the sleep deprivation interval, a researcher can arrange transport for you to travel home safely. This may involve calling a taxi or escorting you home.

4.3. After the study

As mentioned in Section 3, you are likely to experience an overall decrease in cognitive performance after the study - whilst sleep deprived. As such, it is crucial that you do not drive or cycle in this condition. At the beginning of the study a researcher will ensure that you are able to travel home afterwards without driving or cycling. Acceptable modes of transport include: walking, public transit, or taxi/ lift. You must alert the researcher via email, SMS or telephone once you have returned home to inform them of your wellbeing.

After taking part in a sleep deprivation study it is important that you also avoid other risky behaviours such as operating heavy machinery. We recommend that you avoid work in general, and instead get some rest!

5.      FAQs

Can I eat and drink during the study?

Complementary snacks and drinks will be available throughout the duration of the overnight sleep interval. For any experiments which last until 10 AM or later (following the overnight sleep deprivation interval), breakfast will also be made available.

You are also welcome to bring your own food or drink to consume during the overnight sleep interval. However, most studies will prohibit the consumption of caffeine, including: coffee, energy drinks, and chocolate. Indeed, it is usually required that you avoid caffeine for at least 12 hours before the study begins.

What will I be doing all night?

There will usually be plenty of entertainment sources available to you during overnight sleep intervals, including films and video games. You will also have access to a PC, and will be free to communicate with the researcher(s) and other participants.

You are welcome to bring whatever you need to keep you occupied during the sleep deprivation interval, within reason. If you are unsure about what you can/ can’t bring with you, please enquire with the researcher for the specific study you are taking part in.

Is there anything I’m not allowed to do?

Sometimes, sleep deprivation studies require you to avoid exerting extensive cognitive strain. You will be welcome to complete coursework or revise for exams, but there may be limitations on how long you are permitted to do this for. For more information about prohibited overnight activities, you should refer to the information sheet for the particular study you are participating in, or consult a relevant researcher. 

Of course, it is imperative that you remain awake throughout the entire sleep deprivation interval. The duration of the sleep deprivation interval can vary from study to study, but typically lasts around 12 hours between the evening and the following morning. If you feel that it would be too difficult for you to remain awake for that long, you should not take part in any sleep deprivation studies.

What if I can’t stay awake?

If you fall asleep during the sleep deprivation interval you will quickly be woken up by a researcher. If this proceeding becomes stressful for you, we would recommend that you withdraw from the study. See Section 4.2 for more information regarding the withdrawal procedure. 

Will I be allowed to go outside?

You will usually be permitted to leave the experimental area or go outside during overnight sleep deprivation intervals. However, for safety reasons, this will be under the supervision of at least one researcher. 

It should be noted that there is a possibility that female participants will be tested by a male researcher, and vice versa. However, in instances where the researcher is a different gender to the participant, there will never be fewer than three individuals present throughout the entire night (i.e. one researcher and two participants, or two researchers and one participant). All researchers have enhanced DBS clearance. If you are uncomfortable with this policy, we request that you do not sign up for overnight experiments.