Sleep Health Toolkit
Information about the Development of the Sleep Health Toolkit.
- The sleep health toolkit was developed from research identifying the barriers and facilitators to integrating sleep health into rehabilitation practice.
- It includes evidence-based resources for both clients and providers, with separate sections offering patient education materials, goal-setting tools, and guidance for behavior change conversations.
- Created for real-world rehabilitation settings, the toolkit helps patients build practical sleep habits that can reduce fatigue, improve recovery, and enhance overall quality of life.
A professor in the KU Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training, Catherine (Katie) F. Siengsukon, Ph.D., PT, DBSM, CHWC, is the director of the Sleep, Health and Wellness (SleepWell) Lab at KU Medical Center and is active in presenting at national and international conferences on her work in sleep health. Receiving frequent questions at her talks, she recognized a need for one place for both rehabilitation professionals and their patients to get accurate, up-to-date sleep health information online.
This led to a new research study conducted to identify the barriers and facilitators to physical therapists implementing sleep health in their practice (citation below). She also asked the clinicians for ideas about resources they would find beneficial in their practice.
With that study now complete, Siengsukon is excited to provide the innovative "Sleep Health Toolkit" here, and more content will be added as it becomes available. This toolkit was developed to serve as an evidence-based resource, equipping both clients and providers with knowledge pertaining to sleep health promotion. The toolkit was structured with two main components, ‘Resources for Clients’ and ‘Resources for Providers’. Designed for seamless integration into rehabilitation settings, the materials can be used to support patient education, goal setting and behavior change conversations. By helping patients better understand and improve their sleep, the toolkit aims to enhance rehabilitation outcomes, reduce pain and fatigue and promote overall well-being.
Citation: Siengsukon CF, Nelson E, Turkowitch D. Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Sleep Health into Outpatient Physical Therapist Practice: A Survey Study. J Allied Health. 2023 Summer;52(2):e55-e61. PMID: 37269038.