Sleep Tech Devices & Their Role In The Evolving Health And Wellness Landscape

Sleep Tech Devices & Their Role In The Evolving Health And Wellness Landscape

Although the precise intricacies of sleep remain a subject of ongoing scientific exploration, extensive research over the years has underscored its profound impact on overall well-being. A healthy sleep routine is indispensable for maintaining both physical and mental health. Among its myriad functions, sleep plays a pivotal role in memory consolidation, supports crucial brain processes, bolsters the immune system, facilitates healing following injury or illness, and acts as a protective shield against heart disease and diabetes.

The growing global impact of sleep disorders

Sleep has emerged as the vital third pillar in the realm of health and wellness, alongside diet and exercise. This has been further underscored by the American Heart Association’s decision to officially include sleep health in its esteemed list of 'Life's Essential 8.' This acknowledgment speaks volumes about the significance of good sleep for overall well-being. However, a substantial chunk of the global population continues to grapple with sleep-related challenges. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimates that nearly 50 to 70 million people in the U.S. endure ongoing sleep disorders.

Given the concerning statistics, the significance of sleep tech devices has surged in combating sleep-related concerns. Growing awareness of the crucial impact of sleep on human health has propelled sleep technology into a potent force. According to a report by Global Market Insights Inc., the sleep tech devices market is projected to witness an impressive 18.2% CAGR from 2023 to 2032. Sleep tech encompasses a plethora of cutting-edge technologies, including wearable sleep trackers, smart mattresses, and sleep-related smartphone apps, engineered to monitor sleep patterns and assess sleep quality.

How technology is revolutionizing sleep medicine – The era of sleep tech

According to the CDC, lack of sleep is rapidly gaining momentum as a notorious public health pandemic over the years. In light of this alarming trend, the sleep tech revolution is swiftly gaining traction. An array of innovative sleep tech solutions, ranging from sleep trackers and white noise machines to light therapy devices, robotic sleep pillows, and mood-enhancing music gadgets, has flooded the markets since the turn of the 21st century, with the potential to revolutionize sleep trends.

Artificial intelligence, which has emerged as a game-changer across various industries, from self-driving cars to virtual personal assistants, is now extending its transformative potential to the realm of sleep medicine, changing the way the world approaches better sleep and overall health. AI technology is positioned to assume an increasingly vital role in sleep disorder diagnosis, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. Moreover, AI's ability to analyze data from wearable devices and other sources enables the identification of individual sleep patterns and trends, paving the way for personalized interventions.

For instance, LG and Asleep, a Korean AI sleep tech firm, are collaboratively developing smart home appliances that detect users' sleep stages based on breathing sounds, allowing devices like fridges, TVs, air purifiers, air conditioners, and washing machines to adjust settings accordingly. By automating sleep data analysis, AI is well-positioned to not only streamline diagnoses of sleep ailments but also facilitate the creation of personalized treatment approaches.

Wearables and their role

Wearable technology and smart healthcare devices have long been familiar in the medical field. Common examples include glucose monitors for diabetics and life-saving pacemakers and defibrillators implanted in patients. Alongside these advancements, wearable sleep tech devices are now gaining significant popularity, empowering individuals to achieve improved and more restful sleep patterns. The sleep tech devices market size from the wearable products segment is poised to exceed USD 65.4 billion by 2032, as reported by Global Market Insights Inc.

Wearable technology not only provides valuable data on sleep patterns and personalized sleep quality recommendations but is also proving to be an integral tool in gaining deeper insights into sleep disorders. Sleep researchers are recognizing this potential and embarking on various initiatives to leverage wearable devices for more accurate identification of severe sleep conditions like narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

On January 25, 2023, two Japanese companies, Four H and Aculys Pharma, joined forces to advance their understanding and support for individuals with sleep disorders. Their collaborative mission was aimed at gaining an objective understanding of sleep conditions, particularly narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness linked to OSA, through analysis of objective data on sleep, activities, and heart rate gathered from wearable devices, along with patients' subjective sleep assessments. This cutting-edge collaboration marks a significant stride towards enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders using wearable technology.

Industrial scope of sleep technology

The increasing recognition of the crucial role quality sleep plays in overall health and productivity has created enticing prospects for various industries to venture into the flourishing realm of sleep-related products and services. Enlisted below are 3 such industries, vying to make their mark in the ever-evolving sleep tech devices industry:

·       Wellness and Lifestyle:

Sleep is emerging as a new frontier in the realm of holistic wellness, encompassing various categories such as healthy foods, fitness and nutrition apps, and more. The concept of "sleep-as-a-service" is gaining momentum globally, as wellness establishments strive to destigmatize napping and emphasize the importance of quality sleep. Entities in the wellness sector are actively integrating sleep programs, relaxation techniques, and meditation apps, recognizing the pivotal role of restful sleep in fostering a healthy lifestyle.

One notable example is Park Hyatt New York, which unveiled its Bryte Restorative Sleep Suite in early 2022, with spacious rooms entirely dedicated to facilitating proper rest and relaxation, and equipped with state-of-the-art sleep technologies including the king-size Restorative Bed by Bryte. The AI-powered mattress demonstrates various features such as climate zone adjustment to guide the body through all the necessary sleep stages, multisensory technology to facilitate sleep, and a pressure release system to ensure that it conforms perfectly to the body, promoting uninterrupted slumber.

·       Fitness and Sports:

While sleep coaching is not a novel concept, the current renewed emphasis on sleep health is once again bringing it to the forefront. Fitness companies are taking a proactive approach to decipher the intricate connection between fitness performance and sleep patterns. They are increasingly acknowledging the pivotal role of sleep in athletic prowess and, as a result, are integrating sleep-tracking features into their wearable devices and fitness apps.

In September 2022, Sleep Cycle announced a partnership with Gympass, the world's largest corporate wellbeing platform. Through this collaboration, all companies and employees linked to the Gympass network would gain access to Sleep Cycle's premium service, which includes sleep training, sleep tracking, snore detection, sleep music and meditations, and the Smart Alarm feature. This partnership is set to further propel the importance of sleep health and wellness across the fitness and corporate spheres alike.

·       Gaming and Entertainment:

With the rising awareness of sleep's impact on mental health, gaming and entertainment companies are stepping up their efforts to promote better sleep habits among users. They are incorporating features into their platforms that encourage healthier sleep practices, such as reminders to take breaks and limit screen time before bedtime.

One noteworthy example is Pokémon Sleep, a gamified sleep-tracking app that was launched in July 2023. Pokémon Sleep employs motion and sound tracking to assess users' sleep quality throughout the night, similar to other sleep-tracking apps like Sleep Cycle. By transforming sleep improvement into an engaging game-like experience, Pokémon Sleep is one of the many emerging applications aimed at helping users inculcate better sleeping habits and prioritize their overall well-being.

What is on the horizon? – Innovations that will define sleep tech trends in the future

The future of sleep technology holds the potential to revolutionize the nocturnal experience, ushering in an era of unparalleled innovation. Advanced neurotechnology is on the verge of unlocking the true potential of dreams, paving the way for interactive dreamscapes and dream manipulation. Smart sleep environments will dynamically adjust to optimize temperature, lighting, and soundscapes, ensuring the most restorative slumber. Moreover, innovative products like nanotechnology-infused bedding will offer unparalleled comfort, while non-invasive brain stimulation techniques hold great promise in effectively addressing sleep disorders. As the boundaries between the virtual and physical realms blur, the future of sleep tech promises a well-rested world awakened by cutting-edge advancements.

Source: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/sleep-tech-devices-market