Thank you for agreeing to participate in phase two of this study.  Your participation is essential for the future understanding of shiftworkers activity/rest and cultural differences.

      For phase two you have agreed to collect activity/rest data for a five day period that includes (2) 12-hour night shifts.  You have either received the activity/rest (ActiWatch™) equipment in person or by mail.  Here is what it looks like without the wrist strap.

                                                            “AW-L Actiwatch with an Integrated Light Sensor

                                                              Retrieved November 1, 2002 Minimitter.com

                        Actiwatch use is safe, comfortable and should not disturb your rest.   Activity level

                         is recognized as a valuable diagnostic indicator and can provide answers to many research

                        questions.

 Along with the ActiWatch™ you have been given an Activity Diary.  There are six 24-hour tables for you to record all your activity, sleep, hours of work, exercise periods, naps, meals, intake, tobacco use, illness, and sweat lodge or hot tub use.  A key is given on the front and back covers along with an example.   

What Will You Be Doing

The first day of data collection:

q       Review the Activity Diary, documentation key, and the example on the back cover

q       Review the instructions for attaching the ActiWatch™.

q       Securely strap (like a wrist-watch) the equipment to your non-dominant wrist.  The equipment should not be removed for five 24-hour days (60 hours).  However, if you experience wrist soreness or discomfort, you can wear an athletic wrist band under the ActiWatch™.  

q       Open the activity diary.  On Day 1, record the date and time started you applied the ActiWatch™.

Each day:

q       Record all activities, sleep, naps, exercise, meals, etc as indicated on the key.  Hint: People find that it is easier to record the information frequently (every 1-2 hours) throughout the day.  This information is essential for understanding your sleep patterns and habits.   

REMINDERS

    q       Remember, the Actiwatch™ needs to be worn continuously – please do not remove for showers

         or bathing.  If removed, please reattach as soon as possible.

  q     You will be contacted by telephone during the 5-day period to determine if you are having

        any problems or need your questions answered.  Additionally, the name and telephone number

        of the investigator is listed on the activity diary cover.  

  q       Remember to record the categories (spouse, child, baby) and number of persons sharing your

        sleeping area. For example, husband, child (1) and baby.

                                                 ALERT!!!

q       The monitor records activity and movement; however, the recordings will not show any intimate or sexual activity.      

q       When you are going to rest, you need to remove all

     animals from your sleeping area.  Animal movement can

     interfere with the Actiwatch equipment and disturb your sleep.

    1.                Frequently, at least every 1-2 hours, remember to record all sleep periods, naps, meals,

           intake, tobacco use, illness, exercise and daily activities on your Activity Diary.

     2.                Check and make sure that the Actiwatch™ is securely strapped to your non-dominant arm.    

1.                Remove the Actiwatch™ equipment. 

2.                Complete the diary being sure to record the date and time the equipment was removed. 

3.                After completing the five day time period, you will return the Actiwatch™ and completed Activity Diary.  Use the box and pre-paid mailing label provided to you. 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE!!!