Fitbit has unveiled a new sleep tracking tool, called Sleep Stages, which has been in development over the past two years.
The tool was developed by a panel of sleep experts, including Michael Grandner, PhD, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona in Tucson; Allison Siebern, PhD, consulting assistant professor at Stanford (Calif.) University Sleep Medicine Center; and Michael T. Smith, PhD, professor of psychiatry, neurology and nursing at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Sleep Stages uses Fitbit's PurePulse heart rate technology to estimate the amount of time a user spends in light, deep and REM sleep in a given night. These insights into sleep quality can help users improve their sleep over time, by identifying patterns with diet, exercise and other relevant lifestyle choices.
"Fitbit's new sleep features use a scientific-based approach to show your sleep patterns over time, and provide you with validated, actionable guidance to help you make changes in your daily routine to achieve greater quality sleep — and in turn improve your overall health," said Dr. Siebern.