Effects of Sleep-Extend on glucose metabolism in women with a history of gestational diabetes: a pilot randomized trial

OBJECTIVES: Women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM) are at 7-fold increase in the risk of developing diabetes. Insufficient sleep has also been shown to increase diabetes risk. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of a sleep extension in women with a history of GDM and short sleep, and effects on glucose metabolism. METHODS: Women age 18–45 years with a history of GDM and actigraphy confirmed short sleep duration (<7 h/night) on weekdays were randomized at a ratio of 1 control (heathy living information) to 2 cases (6 weeks of “Sleep-Extend” intervention: use of a Fitbit, weekly digital content, and weekly coaching to increase sleep duration). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 7-day actigraphy recording, and questionnaires were obtained at baseline and 6 weeks. Mean differences between baseline and end-of-intervention parameters were compared using independent samples t-tests. RESULTS: Mean (SD) sleep duration increased within the Sleep-Extend group (n=9, +26.9 (42.5) min) but decreased within the controls (n=5, − 9.1 (20.4) min), a mean difference (MD) of 35.9 min (95% confidence interval (CI) − 8.6, 80.5). Fasting glucose increased, but less in Sleep-Extend vs. control groups (1.6 (9.4) vs 10.4 (8.2) mg/dL, MD − 8.8 mg/dL (95% CI − 19.8, 2.1), while 2-h glucose levels after an OGTT did not differ. Compared to controls, Sleep-Extend had decreased fatigue score (MD − 10.6, 95%CI − 20.7, − 0.6), and increased self-report physical activity (MD 5036 MET- minutes/week, 95%CI 343, 9729. Fitbit compliance and satisfaction in Sleep-Extend group was high. CONCLUSION: Sleep extension is feasible in women with a history of GDM, with benefits in fatigue and physical activity, and possibly glucose metabolism. These data support a larger study exploring benefits of sleep extension on glucose metabolism in these high-risk women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03638102 (8/20/2018)