INSCIENCE publishes evidence-based guide for Ukrainian soldiers to get healthier sleep

INSCIENCE has teamed up with experts to create an evidence-based brochure for the Ukrainian military about healthy sleep, Rubryka reports.

What is the problem?

According to American statistics, over 85% of military personnel suffer from sleep disorders. Given the realities of being on the front line, it is challenging to create conducive sleeping conditions. Additionally, upon returning from war, it can be difficult to overcome the lingering effects of traumatic events and habits necessary for survival in critical moments.

No studies on the same subject have been carried out in Ukraine. The issue of sleep deprivation in the military is frequently ignored, and the prevalent "culture of wakefulness" only exacerbates the possible outcomes and makes it more challenging to find viable solutions.

What is the solution?

Healthy sleep is an inseparable component of health and efficiency. In combat conditions, lack of sleep and uncontrolled use of tonics/sedatives can be fatal. It is essential to address the matter of sleep and spread verified health information among Ukrainian defenders.

To this end, the INSCIENCE "Take Care" project team created a sleep brochure with recommendations from evidence-based experts.

How does it work?

The brochure consists of three sections:

• sleep hygiene,
• medical assistance,
• psychological support of veterans.

The brochure can be downloaded here.

Biologist and sleep expert Olha Maslova explains how the human body works in wartime, what the internal clock is, and why the right light (or lack thereof) at the right time can help better than caffeine.

Studies show that chronic sleep deprivation (less than 4 hours a day) reduces a soldier's effectiveness in battle by 15-25%.

Tonic substances — caffeine, energy drinks, amphetamine, etc. — come to the rescue. However, the short-term effect is quickly replaced by unpleasant consequences — maladaptation, impairment of cognitive abilities and coordination of movements, toxic effects on the body, and addiction development.

Oleksii Bozhko, a Hospitaliers volunteer medical battalion medic, cites the pros and cons of tonic substances and non-prescription sedatives that are appropriate during the war.

The third section of the brochure covers issues related to sleep disorders in veterans.

Military psychologist and psychotherapist Oleksii Karachinskyi explains how to restore sleep after combat trauma, how sleep disorders are related to PTSD, and which symptoms should be addressed to a specialist.

The brochure is publicly available for review, download, and distribution. The information can be helpful both for those currently defending Ukraine and those on rotations or who have already completed their service.

Reference

Take Care is a platform for evidence-based health information in wartime. Their main goal is for Ukrainian men and women to make decisions and form habits regarding their health based on evidence-based information and understand that taking care of yourself is also a contribution to victory.

INSCIENCE is an organization that popularizes science and evidence-based medicine and increases its value for society, business, and the state through popular science projects, making Ukrainian scientists and doctors visible and promoting critical thinking through a scientific approach to understanding the world.