KU Sleep Disorders Research

10/20/2026

Wearables give us valuable insight into sleep!

We have an ongoing observational study that calls for wearing a SleepImage ring device to monitor sleep variability across 15 nights in participants with OSA.

Interested in participating? Reach out to our team!

Could consumer wearables help make obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screening more accessible? ⌚💤

New research in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine evaluates the Samsung Galaxy Watch for detecting moderate-to-severe OSA and compares its performance with in-lab polysomnography.

The study found the Galaxy Watch demonstrated strong diagnostic performance, including an AUROC of 0.94 for detecting moderate-to-severe OSA and 100% sensitivity and specificity for identifying high-risk OSA using hypoxic burden criteria.

Read the full study to explore the potential of consumer-grade wearables in expanding access to OSA screening. https://hubs.la/Q04wD0qS0

10/09/2026

10/02/2026

09/28/2026

Interrupted breathing shouldn’t be a nightly habit — and we’d like to understand why it varies!

The Sleep Disorders Research Unit at KUMC is actively enrolling participants in two observational research studies on Obstructive Sleep Apnea. These studies aim to improve real‑world assessment of sleep‑disordered breathing variability using at‑home sleep recording devices.

Interested in learning more? Fill out the quick intake forms below.
SleepImage Study: https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=7D9N7CX9H3XD9W4M
ENNVISA Study: https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=HRJ7DTE7Y8N3FLCX

Want to involve others? Share our flyers and encourage them to complete the same forms.

Thank you for supporting the research that works to support your sleep!

09/18/2026

Dreaming about participating in sleep research?

Good news! We make dreams come true.
The Sleep Disorders Research Unit is actively enrolling in two observational research studies on Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Let's try to grant your wish by filling out these quick interest forms to learn more!

SleepImage Study: https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=7D9N7CX9H3XD9W4M
ENNVISA Study: https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=HRJ7DTE7Y8N3FLCX

09/09/2026

Sleep is essential for your body and your brain. Are you getting 7-9 hours every night?

08/27/2026

Welcome Anna Baklanov!

Anna is the Clinical Research Assistant for the Sleep Disorders Research Unit. She recently received her Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from the University of Kansas. She has moved back to Kansas City to join sleep medicine research.

It has been fulfilling for her to contribute across translational and observational studies. She recruits participants and coordinates visits for our obstructive sleep apnea studies. Also, she provides support for our idiopathic hypersomnia and narcolepsy investigational clinical trials. Working in sleep medicine has given her a new sense of appreciation for clinical research and the importance it holds in advancing evidence-based medicine!

08/11/2026

Sleep and obesity are deeply interconnected, influencing everything from cardiometabolic health to the development and progression of sleep disorders.

A new Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine review explores these bidirectional relationships, emerging therapies for obesity, and the role of integrated treatment approaches for patients with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Lead author, Christopher N. Schmickl, highlights the growing importance of obesity management in sleep medicine:

"Sleep and obesity can no longer be managed in separate silos. Just as statins became a core component of cardiovascular care, effective obesity management is becoming an essential competency in sleep medicine, with important open questions remaining about how best to integrate incretin-based therapies alongside established treatments such as CPAP."

Read the full review here: https://hubs.la/Q04s18bx0

08/03/2026

Meet Erin Pickert!

Erin is the Clinical Research Coordinator for the Sleep Disorders Research Unit. She received her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in 2024 and her Master's in Public Health with a Health Behavior concentration from Brown University in 2026. She recently returned to Kansas City to join the team in studying sleep medicine research.

Erin takes part in many different aspects of sleep disorders research but focuses primarily on investigational drug studies for those with idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) and Narcolepsy Type 1 and 2. She additionally takes part in other observational and translational studies focusing on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). She is passionate about bringing research opportunities to patients in the Midwest and learning more about how we can better understand and promote sleep health.