One out of three Americans has sleep issues, according to an oft-quoted report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We’ve written about the EverSleep wearable that monitors biometrics associated with sleep, the Ōura Ring that measures and scores sleep, and several other technologies.
Integrated Listening Systems’ Dreampad was originally developed to help children get better rest. Dreampad for adults was the next step. Now the company cites two studies published in peer-reviewed journals that support the product’s claims. Dreampads work in two ways. The device is a pillow that can be connected to Bluetooth, iOS/Android, or MP3 audio sources to play music while the user falls asleep and stays asleep. The key, however, according to the company, is the vibration from the music carried by bone to your inner ear, called Dreampad Intrasound Technology. The vibration triggers a relaxation response in the body’s parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) by stimulating the vagus nerve when the vibration reaches the bony area surrounding the middle and inner ear. You can use your own music with the Dreampad or choose from eight soundscape options. The Dreampad music app also includes a timer, an alarm, and a range of listening settings.
In a study conducted by Sharon Gutman, associate professor at Columbia University Medical Center and published in the Occupation, Participation, and Health journal, the Dreampad was found to reduce night time awakenings significantly more often than two other non-pharmacological interventions. In “Sleep Intervention for ASD,” Sarah Schoen, assistant research director at the SPD Foundation, found improved sleep initiation and duration, a reduction in night waking, and improved daytime behavior in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
