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Researchers at the University Medical Center Freiburg are investigating whether people with sleep disorders are less able to regulate their emotions than normal sleepers / Participants wanted

Do people with chronic sleep disorders process emotions differently to healthy people? As people with sleep problems are more likely to suffer from depression, this question is particularly relevant. It is now being investigated for the first time as part of a study at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Freiburg University Medical Center. Test subjects with and without sleep disorders are now being sought. The participants' physical activity will be measured for five days and their state of mind will be surveyed. At the end of the week, the subjects' emotional regulation will be examined again in the laboratory in Freiburg. For this, they have to watch and evaluate short film sequences; an overnight stay in the sleep laboratory is not necessary. The participants receive an allowance of 150 euros, travel expenses cannot be reimbursed. The study is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

"If it is confirmed that people with sleep disorders are less able to regulate their emotions, those affected could be given targeted help with a suitable therapy," says Prof. Dr. Dieter Riemann, Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Freiburg University Medical Center. To date, there have been no studies on the question of whether people with insomnia use different strategies to regulate their emotions than healthy sleepers. Riemann's working group, which is conducting the study, has been researching the diagnosis, prevalence, causes and therapeutic options for insomnia for more than 20 years.

Men and women aged 18 and over who are good or bad sleepers can take part. Psychotherapy should not have taken place within the last 3 years.

After a preliminary examination to check their state of health, the test subjects are given a chest strap that records their movement activity, sleep-wake rhythm and heart rate. "We also use a smartphone app to ask the test subjects about their state of mind at four random times," says study leader Dr. Chiara Baglioni, a scientist at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Freiburg University Medical Center. At the end of the week, physiological reactions such as heart activity, brain waves and facial expressions are measured in the test subjects while they watch emotional film sequences; initially without and then using a previously learned strategy for emotion regulation.

Anyone interested in this study conducted at the University Medical Center Freiburg can contact Dr. Chiara Baglioni for further information by e-mail at schlafstudie@uniklinik-freiburg.de or by telephone on 0761 270-65891.

Contact: 
Dr. Chiara Baglioni
Psychologist
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
University Medical Center Freiburg
schlafstudie@uniklinik-freiburg.de 
Phone: 0761 270-65891