Advancing the safety, health, and well-being of commercial driving teams who sleep in moving semi-Trucks the tech4rest pilot study

Objective: To test the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectivenessof engineering and behavioral interventions to improve the sleep, health, andwell-being of team truck drivers (dyads) who sleep in moving semi-Trucks. Methods: Drivers (n 16) were exposed to Condition A: A new innerspringmattress, and Condition B: A novel therapeutic mattress. A subsample ofdrivers (n 8) were also exposed to Condition C: use of their preferredmattress (all chose to keep B), switching to an active suspension driver s seat, and completing a behavioral sleep-health program. Primary outcomes weresleep duration, sleep quality, and fatigue. Behavioral program targetsincluded physical activity and sleep hygiene. Results: Self-reported sleepand fatigue improved with mattress A, and improved further with mattress Bwhich altered vibration exposures and was universally preferred and kept byall drivers. Condition C improved additional targets and produced largereffect sizes for most outcomes. Conclusions: Results support these interventionsas promising for advancing team truck drivers sleep, health, and well-being.