From nightmare to sweet dreams: Flinders University reveals sleep study’s ‘remarkable’ results

Bad sleep is a nightmare for four out of 10 Australians, but a university says it’s found out how to create “remarkable change”.

Getting enough sleep to stop chronic conditions like heart disease and stroke is a nightmare for four out of 10 Australians.

Sleep apnoea, insomnia and other disorders are disrupting crucial slumber, putting lives at risk and costing the nation $66bn a year, according to Professor Danny Eckert, head of Flinders University’s world-leading sleep clinic.

But a groundbreaking study conducted by the sleep clinic has been a dream come true for 30 of South Australia’s worst sleepers, who were “at the end of the road” and at risk of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.

The results of the eight-week study – which has been made into a three-part SBS documentary, Sleep Revolution, with British TV presenter Dr Michael Mosley – were “absolutely transformative”, Professor Eckert said.

“They saw remarkable change in their lives,” he said.

“These were people with long-term problems, they’d tried other solutions that hadn’t worked for them and they were kind of at the end of the road.

“Hopefully (the study) gives people a lot of hope out there.”

Gemma Winter says the Flinders University sleep study has made a “big, big difference”. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Professor Eckert said the study’s sleepers recorded a 50 per cent reduction in their symptoms of depression, a 50 per cent reduction in anxiety and a 40 per cent reduction in stress.

“This was helping all aspects of people’s lives,” he said.

The results were achieved by using techniques and tools created in the clinic, including under-mattress sensors, mobile apps and Re-Timer light-therapy glasses that have been used by Rolling Stone rocker Mick Jagger to beat his jet lag.

Many sleepers were also able to do away with cumbersome CPAP machines and instead use a special mouth guard that pushes the bottom jaw forward and stiffens the airway to alleviate snoring.

“Overall, over 80 per cent of people were able to use the techniques to resolve their sleep problems,” Professor Eckert said.

He said even small changes to a person’s nightly routine could have critical consequences on their health. Varying bedtimes by more than 30 minutes over the period of a week increased the chances of high blood pressure by 30 per cent. That leapt to 90 per cent if sleep times regularly varied by more than 90 minutes.

Four in 10 Australians are not getting enough sleep.

“Routine is key, our bodies love routine and that’s to do with our body clock,” he said.

“The growth hormone is only released almost exclusively during deep sleep so if you’re not getting optimal sleep throughout the week, you’re not getting hormonal release and repairs that are going on throughout the night.

“Sleep is a pillar of good health. We hear about the importance of exercise and diet but traditionally we haven’t heard much about sleep. It’s very difficult to do the other two pillars of health if you’re not getting a good night’s sleep.”

Gemma Winter, who was diagnosed with sleep apnoea at 27, was crippled with fatigue that left her feeling “frustrated and isolated” before signing up to the study.

Professor Danny Eckert says the sleep study results were “absolutely transformative”.

A technique used by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, pictured with bandmate Keith Richards, to beat jet lag featured in the study. Picture: Mark Seliger

The 37-year-old – who works in programming and artist services with Fringe Festival venue Gluttony and keeps a late-night schedule of watching shows and researching talent –

was struggling to stay awake during the day and managing just four hours of broken sleep a night.

“I go out to shows with my work and having to leave events early because I was exhausted was the biggest struggle for me,” said Ms Winter, who is in the thick of another season of late nights at the Fringe. “By the time I got into the study, the insomnia was probably at its worst. I was waking up at 3am and not able to go back to sleep.”

She said the sleep study, which stopped her insomnia and helped her establish a seven-hour sleep routine, had been life-changing.

“It’s a big, big difference,” said Ms Winter, who now uses one of the sleep apnoea mouth guards.

“I rarely wake up anymore. I sleep really well for seven hours a night and if I get out of routine, I know how to fix it.”