About

What we are studying

The purpose of this study is to better understand how sleep is connected to the health and well-being of people living in Kentucky.

Why it is important

Sleep is critical to our daily activities, and it has many benefits to our health including boosting immune functioning, regulating weight and metabolism, preventing cardiovascular disease, improving memory and attention, and regulating mood.

The state of Kentucky currently ranks 48th in the nation in terms of healthy sleep,1 and people living in certain communities within Kentucky appear to be particularly vulnerable to regular disruptions in their sleep. Efforts to better understand the factors impacting the sleep of Kentuckians has potential to dramatically improve the health and well-being of the people in our communities.

Who can participate?

The REST-KY study will include approximately 400 volunteers aged 18 or older who live in one of 12 Kentucky Counties: Adair, Bell, Estill, Jackson, Knott, Letcher, Lincoln, Perry, Pike, Rockcastle, Russell, or Whitley

What you may be asked to do

Volunteers in the REST-KY study will share information about their sleep and several aspects of their health every six months for two years. All study procedures can be completed from the comfort of your home or at one of our project offices in Lexington or Whitesburg, Kentucky.

Study procedures that occur every six months during the study include:

  1. Completing an online survey
  2. Wearing a Fitbit watch to monitor your sleep, heartrate, and physical activity for two weeks
  3. Tracking your sleep and other aspects of health daily for two weeks on a free smartphone app
  4. Provide a few drops of blood with a fingerstick health screening

A small number of participants in the study will also be invited to complete an optional interview with our research team at the beginning and end of their study participation. Interviews can be completed over the phone, through videoconferencing, or in-person. Others will be invited to complete an optional one-night home sleep study, which will involve wearing a portable, non-invasive medical testing device to bed in order to assess your risk for sleep apnea.

What you may receive

Volunteers will receive a Fitbit activity tracker watch as part of their study participation. It will be theirs to keep at the end of the study. Volunteers may also receive up to $685 for participating.

How do I get involved?

If you are interested in signing up to volunteer for the REST-KY study, or if you wish to speak with a member of our research team to learn more, click HERE