RESTED: REbalancing circadian rhythms in Sleep and heart rate To Ease Dissociative symptoms
Grantholders
Dr Helge Gillmeister
University of Essex, United Kingdom
Dr Vito De Feo
University of Essex, United Kingdom
Miss Sophia Carbonero
University of Essex, United Kingdom
Dr Giulia Poerio
University of Sussex, United Kingdom
Project summary
Our 3-year project will proceed in three phases. We will analyse an existing longitudinal dataset, collect a novel dataset and evaluate an intervention in young adults. Our key goals are to:
(1) understand the causal mechanisms linking sleep (multiple parameters and experiences), autonomic function (heart rate parameters), waking cognition and symptoms of dissociation, depression, anxiety and psychosis
(2) test and evaluate low-cost interventions for improving autonomic function, sleep and the above mental health symptoms.
Specifically, we will focus on depersonalisation-derealisation, a common but poorly researched dissociative symptom, which is not only intimately connected with altered sleep parameters but also a risk factor for anxiety, depression and psychosis. Our team of psychologists, computer scientists, lived-experience experts and mental health practitioners, collaborating with epidemiologists, statisticians, clinicians and business partners, will address our goals using a combination of methods. These include advanced mathematical modelling of our datasets, and real-world tracking and interventions with wearable and home-use devices. Overall the project will result in the synthesis and validation of novel circadian biomarkers, sleep sensing-technologies and analytic approaches. These will transform our understanding of the mechanisms linking sleep, heart rate and mental health symptoms and contribute evidence-based interventions to help young people with dissociative symptoms.