Comparing Objective and Subjective Measures of Sleep Loss with Balance Performance in Farmers.

HIGHLIGHTS The farming population is at risk of injury due to sleep deprivation. Loss of sleep during previous night affects balance performance in farmers. Objective measures of sleep are more reliable than subjective measures for predicting balance performance.

Use of Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation in Rural Patient Engagement.

Comprehensive participatory planning and evaluation (CPPE), a model used in community engagement research, has not been applied to patient engagement in research. We describe our methodology and interim results using CPPE in a project focused on improving research engagement of rural and distant patients and stakeholders. Specifically, we describe our development of a causal map and the subsequent use of the map to guide patient and stakeholder-driven evaluation.

The Association of Sleep Loss and Balance Stability in Farmers.

Sleep deprivation has been linked to injuries, illnesses, and reduced performance measures. Yet, it is unclear how sleep loss contributes to the high rates of injuries and falls in agriculture. In this study, the authors evaluated sleep loss and quantified its association with balance in five farmers, who wore an ActiWatch to record their sleeping patterns in six repeated weekly observation periods.