AI has high potential in revolutionalizing sleep medicine, study finds

In a new research commentary, the Artificial Intelligence in Sleep Medicine Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine highlights how artificial intelligence stands on the threshold of making monumental contributions to sleep medicine. The committee examined advancements in AI within sleep medicine through a strategic analysis and reviewed barriers and challenges associated with using AI-enabled technologies.

The study was led by Dr. Anuja Bandyopadhyay, chair of the Artificial Intelligence in Sleep Medicine Committee. According to Dr. Bandyopadhyay, AI is disrupting all areas of medicine, and the future of sleep medicine is poised at a transformational crossroad. The published commentary outlines the powerful potential and challenges for sleep medicine physicians to be aware of as they begin leveraging AI to deliver precise, personalized patient care and enhance preventive health strategies on a larger scale while ensuring its ethical deployment.

Influence of AI

According to the study, AI can be used in the sleep field in three key areas. These areas include clinical applications, lifestyle management and population health. In the clinical health realm, AI-driven technologies offer comprehensive data analysis, nuanced pattern recognition, and diagnosis automation, all while addressing chronic problems like sleep-related breathing disorders.

The study remarks that incorporating AI offers clear benefits for lifestyle management through the use of consumer sleep technology. These devices come in various forms, such as wristbands, smartphone apps, and smart rings, and they contribute to better sleep health through tracking, assessment, and enhancement. 

Beyond individual care, AI technology reveals a new approach to public health regarding sleep. According to Bandyopadhyay, AI has the exciting potential to synthesize environmental, behavioural and physiological data, contributing to informed population-level interventions and bridging existing healthcare gaps.

Challenges to be considered

The study warns about the issues of data privacy, security, accuracy, and the potential for reinforcing existing biases that could arise due to the integration of AI into sleep medicine. Dr. Bandyopadhay opines that while AI can signficantly strengthen the evaluation and management of sleep disorders, it is intended to complement, not replace, the expertise of a sleep medicine professional.

Furthermore, the study states that AI tools must be validated against varied datasets to ensure their reliability and accuracy in all patient populations.