Potential Influence of Acute Dysregulated Sleep on Fall Incidence Among Low-Income Older Women: A Case Study.

Only two participants were analysed, so the findings are descriptive and cannot establish that sleep changes caused falls. The low inclusion rate was due to insufficient Fitbit synchronization and lack of reported falls. There were no statistical comparisons because the sample was too small. Fitbit sleep staging may be less valid in older adults because of skin thickness and movement patterns. Data were lost if devices were not synced at least once per week, and no male participants had data for Nightx. Falls were self-reported during phone calls every 4 weeks, not directly observed. The two participants' fluctuations did not follow a set pattern.

The authors disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. The article is listed as NIH extramural research support.

Do not read this as evidence that poor sleep caused the falls or that sleep screening will prevent falls. Only two women were analysed, the data were descriptive, and Fitbit data were missing for certain nights.