Restoring Effective Sleep Tactics (REST): a sleep optimization program for the military special operations community

Abstract

Sleep disturbance is one of the most prevailing symptoms of decreased performance and compromised overall health of the general public. This is also a national security threat because this problem is even more profound in the ranks of the United States military. Sleep disturbance after deployment is common among military personnel and during deployment, has many health and safety implications. There are many personal factors and environmental factors can affect quality and quantity of sleep in pre and post deployment settings. Occupational therapy intervention for special warfare servicemembers that have problems with function as a result of sleep insufficiency is an emerging need. However, there are no current programs offered that have addressed this important occupation. There is a need to develop an evidenced-based occupational therapy interventions that addresses sleep hygiene, as well as behavioral and environmental practices designed to improve both quality and quantity of sleep of this special population. In response to this need, the author designed an effective nonpharmacological occupational therapy intervention program designed to improve quality and quantity of sleep The project focused on 1) identifying evidence-based literature to support the benefit of non-pharmacological interventions for special warfare servicemembers, 2) designing a program that represented best practice while incorporating the holistic and occupation-based theoretical base of occupational therapy, 3) best practice for implementation the program, 4) conducting summative program evaluation, and 5) develop a dissemination plan and implementation budget.