PreciseSLEEP: Automated Home-Based Sleep Assessment of Patients Living With Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment

University of East Anglia

United Kingdom, Norwich

University RankQS Ranking

296

Apply Now!

Go to Official Website

Home/United Kingdom/Norwich /University of East Anglia/PreciseSLEEP: Automated Home-Based Sleep Assessment of Patients Living With Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment

University of East Anglia

United Kingdom , Norwich

Key Facts

Program Level

PhD (Philosophy Doctorate)

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines25-Sep-2023

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 5 year(s)

Next Intake 25-Sep-2023

PreciseSLEEP: Automated Home-Based Sleep Assessment of Patients Living With Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment

About

Sleep disturbances are particularly common in people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, and current evidence points to a bidirectional link between sleep disturbances and neurodegeneration. Assessment of sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness is most commonly based on self- or carer reports or actigraphy. These assessment tools have limited validity in characterizing the true sleep features (e.g. reported sleep quality is often confounded by memory, mental health, and/or self-insight problems). Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard method of sleep assessment that can provide a reliable and detailed insight into the objective sleep and vigilance profile of the patient. However, PSG is an expensive technology run by sleep specialists most commonly in a clinical sleep laboratory setting which is known to affect sleep and is not suitable for patients with MCI and dementia.

The proposed PhD project aims to tackle this problem by combining the accuracy of PSG in detecting sleep and vigilance with the feasibility of a home-based sleep tracking technology coupled with automated analysis. The PhD project will aim to trial a novel but validated technology allowing for a high precision home-based assessment of gold standard objective sleep and vigilance features in patients with MCI and dementia. This approach will allow to accurately measure the clinical efficacy of interventions targeting sleep quality improvements and further optimize sleep biomarkers of cognitive decline and mental health, and the neurodegenerative disease process in dementia. The study will involve mixed methods.

The PhD project will be based in the Sleep and Brain Research Unit under the supervision of Dr Lazar and Prof Fox.

This is an outstanding opportunity for strong and motivated candidates interested to pursue research related to sleep, ageing, cognition, and dementia. Interested students can have a background in *any* relevant subject (for example Psychology, Medicine, and Computer/Cognitive Science).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

The project requires a strong first degree (e.g. 1st, 2:1), or a Master's degree, in Psychology, Medicine, Applied Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Computing science/Mathematics.

English Program Requirements

If English is not your first language or you are from a country that is not on the UKVI list of English speaking countries, you may be required to provide evidence of your proficiency in the English language. Further information on English language requirements can be found on our information pages.

How to Apply

If you are applying from outside the UK for a Student Visa, you will be applying for an Entry Clearance visa. This visa will be a 30 day visa that will allow you to enter the UK. Once you are in the UK, you will need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) visa.

Please note this page has general information regarding applying from outside of the UK for a Student Visa and should only be used as a guide. Read the Home Office Student VisaPolicy Guidancefor the full requirements.

1.Prepare to meet all the requirements and to get all the required documents ready to apply. It is important to prepare your finances as this is the main requirement that you need to do prepare in advance. If you are using a bank account, you need to show the total funds required for 28 days. Other financial documents may also take time to prepare, so start early. Also prepare how and when you are going to apply. It is also essential that you know the requirements and rules.

2.Get a CAS Statement from UEA. If you are required to have an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate, you must apply for this before you are able to get your CAS.

3.Complete the application form online. Apply online on the GOV.UK website

It is recommended that you use the Access UK website to apply - available from the GOV.UK website.

You will need to do the following as part of the online application:

Pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) and visa application fee
Select a UK postcode for collecting your StudentVisa

We would highly recommend that you select the University of East Anglia as your alternative collection location (ACL). The code that you need to put in your application is 2HE564. This code will be listed on the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) that the University has issued and that you need to apply for your Student Visa. If you cannot or do not wish to collect your BRP at the University, you have the option of collecting your BRP at some selected Post Offices. If you decide to collect from the local Post Office, use the University of East Anglia address (post code NR4 7TJ) to locate the nearest post office.

State the intended date of travel for collection of your Student visa in the UK.

When you apply for your visa outside the UK you will be asked to provide an intended travel date. We suggest that you choose a date 7 days before your course start date.

Select the location of your appointment
Print off your document checklist

4. Submit your application and supporting documents. Follow the instructions carefully when you apply. You must submit all the original documents. Your original documents will be returned to you.

Remember if you are applying within the Tier 4 Pilot Scheme or the Differentiation Arrangements you will not need to submit all your supporting documents.

5. Attend an interview appointment

All students applying for a Student visa will be required to attend an interview appointment, where you will also give your biometrics (a photograph and your fingerprints).

6. Receive your visa and passport. Your visa will be in your passport. This is a 30-day visa that will allow you to travel to the UK and collect your Student Visa Biometric Residence Permit card.

The vignette is proof only of your permission to enter the UK. You must travel during these 30 days and you will not be allowed to enter the country outside those dates (if for any reason you are unable to travel you’ll need to apply and pay for a vignette transfer for a new 30-day period).

Please note that you must never arrive in the UK earlier than 1 month before the start date of your course if you are studying a course for 6 months or more or a pre-sessional course (7 days if your course is less than 6 months).