Who is running this study?

This study is being conducted by researchers from University of Minnesota and City University of New York (CUNY).

How long is the study?

The study consists of a brief sign-up survey to see if you're eligible to participate, followed by a baseline survey, ring pick-up, and daily participation for 9 months. The daily participation consists of wearing the Oura ring and completing a 1-minute survey on your phone each day.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com is the best way to reach out in case of questions. You should hear back within 2-3 days.

Who has access to my data?

You have access to your individual data. While the study administrators will see the aggregate results of all participants, your company will not have access to your data.

How will my data be used?

Your data will be used to investigate relations between sleep, activity, mood, effectiveness, personality, and work location. Your data will not be shared with your company or used to make employment decisions.

I didn't get an email after completing the initial sign-up questionnaire. What happened?

You should check your Spam/Junk folder, in case the invitation to join the study got stuck there.

Otherwise, you may not be eligible for the study. As a reminder, participants must be full-time professionals at a company with an office in the San Francisco Bay Area, not have a sleep disorder, be willing to respond to 1-minute daily surveys, and wear an Oura ring for the next 9 months.

Can I invite other people?

Yes, we're eager to include a diverse set of participants who meet the eligibility criteria for this study (e.g., full-time working professional at a company with an office in the Bay Area), so please feel free to forward the study website, flyer, or link to the sign-up survey (https://research-study.info/).

Why is it important that I use the same email across the study?

Email is the unique identifier that links your data across surveys and the Oura platform. It is critical that you use the same email across all aspects of the study. If you need to change your email during the study, please email us at ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com

What's the rationale behind the questions in the initial sign-up survey?

These questions assess if you're eligible for the study and gather your contact information so we can follow-up, if needed.

What's the rationale behind the questions in the baseline survey?

These questions measure fundamental differences between people (e.g., their personality, features of their environment related to sleep and work). We use these data to put the results from the daily surveys and Oura ring data in the right context.

Which Oura ring will I receive?

We have partnered with Oura to provide you with their second generation rings, which are some of the most accurate consumer-ready wearables available. Since these rings are for research purposes, we don't have all sizes and shapes available and most rings will be silver in color and the 'balance' shape.

Do I get to keep the ring after the study?

Yes, your participation in this study allows you to keep the ring after the study. Thank you for contributing to science, we hope this ring helps enhance your wellbeing!

Do I have to pay a subscription to use the Oura ring or app?

No, as a study participant you will not need to pay a subscription fee to use the Oura app or ring.

How do I know what ring size is right for me?

Oura ring sizes are roughly similar to standard ring sizes, but we'll have sizing kits available when you pick-up your ring so you can get just the right fit (ideally on the index, middle, or ring finger).

I'd like a ring in a specifc color or shape. Do I get to choose?

Since these rings are for research purposes, we don't have all sizes and shapes available and most rings will be silver in color and the 'balance' shape. The only exception is a few size 7 for which we only have the gold color ring and heritage shape.

My ring battery holds a charge for less than a day. Should I contact Oura?

No, please reach out to the study team at ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com Participants who are continuing to engage in the study are eligible to have rings with battery issues replaced (depending on inventory).

What if my ring breaks or I lose it?

Please contact us at ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com if your ring is having issues, breaks, or is lost. We probably won't be able to replace it since our supply of rings is limited, which means you may be exited from the study. One trick for finding a lost ring is turning on your phone's Bluetooth, opening the Oura app, and walking around where you think your ring might be. If your ring has battery, it should connect with your phone when you're within about 30 feet.

I'd like to upgrade my ring to a newer model or different color. Should I contact Oura?

You may purchase new ring models, but since the ring you received as part of Project WELL was donated by Oura for science, it's not eligible for exchanges or Oura's upgrade programs.

How do I charge my Oura ring?

Your ring's battery should last several days on a single charge, but it can be a helpful habit to take it off and charge it each time you shower. Placing it on the wireless charger for even 20 minutes should add enough power to last multiple days.

How do I clean my Oura ring?

Your ring is made of titanium and quite water resistant, so you can rinse it in warm water with a mild soap (e.g., dish soap) whenever you'd like to clean it. Just make sure it's dry before putting it back on.

How do I pair the Oura ring with my phone?

Make sure your smart phone is nearby and Bluetooth is enabled. Download the Oura app from the App Store or Google Play. Create an Oura account using the email address you've been using for the rest of Project WELL (ideally something that won't change if you change jobs). Follow the in-app instructions to connect your Oura ring. Once you're set-up then each time you open the app, it will automatically sync your latest data and provide insights about your sleep, activity, and readiness.

Can I get the Oura ring wet?

Your ring is water resistant up to 300 feet so you can shower, swim, wash your hands, etc. while wearing your ring.

What if I need to change my ring pick-up time or location?

Check the available times available at your location and contact ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com with your current time and location and new preferred time. Due to ring availability at each location, we cannot guarantee the ability to switch ring pickup locations.

What happens during the ring pick-up session?

When you pick-up your ring, we'll remind you about key aspects of the study (e.g., purpose, duration, your role), have you try on rings to find the perfect fit, and get your ring connected to the Oura app on your phone and our study's Oura Team so the researchers can connect your ring data with your survey responses on the back-end. Remember to bring your Enrollment Confirmation email which has your ring pick-up code.

Do I need to download the Oura app?

Yes, you will need to own a smartphone and download the Oura app, which is free. Please do this before coming to pick-up your ring, so we can get you set-up efficiently.

I can't find my ring pick-up code. What should I do?

You should have received this code in an Enrollment Confirmation email from Project WELL <noreply-survey@umn.edu> after completing the 45-minute baseline survey. If you still cannot find the code, please email ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com with your full name and ring pick-up site.

What if I can't make it to any of the ring pick-up locations at the times provided?

Please select the furthest date out and email ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com with your full name and ideal ring pick-up site. We are a small team but will do our best to connect with you.

What is Oura Teams and why do I need to sign up for it?

Oura Teams is a cloud research platform. It's where Oura sees you're part of Project WELL so that the researchers can access your ring data. These data are then analyzed in combination with your survey data to produce insights about how passive sleep measures relate to outcomes like mood the next day. These data also fuel the insights you'll see in your personalized report every ~6 weeks. Your data are kept confidential and not shared with your employer.

What's in it for me if I participate?

Your participation helps further scientific understanding of physical health, mental wellbeing, work effectiveness, work location, and wearable technology. You also get a free Oura ring and access to the Oura app, which has individualized daily insights and metrics as well as guided meditations. Finally, your participation populates a personalized report that shows how your metrics are trending over time and compare to the broader participant pool.

What are the participation requirements?

Participation involves wearing an Oura ring every day (including when you sleep since that's a key component of the study). It also involves responding to 1-minute surveys on your smart phone each weekday. If you miss a survey or forget to wear your ring one day, it's not the end of the world, but participants may be exited if they're missing surveys or not wearing the ring since those are key aspects of the study.

The study is 9 months long and as you participate, you'll unlock new insights in the Oura app and your personalized report (~every 6 weeks). Your insights in the app and personalized report will also be negatively impacted (e.g., show gaps or be unavailable) if you don't consistently wear the ring and complete the surveys.

What if I miss a survey or I forget to wear my ring?

If you miss a survey or forget to wear your ring one day, it's not the end of the world, but participants may be exited if they're missing surveys or not wearing the ring since those are key aspects of the study. Your insights in the app and personalized report will also be negatively impacted (e.g., show gaps or be unavailable) if you don't consistently wear the ring and complete the surveys.

What should I do if I no longer wish to participate?

You may withdraw from the study at any time. Please notify us at ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com so we avoid bothering you with emails (e.g., daily surveys).

What is a study coordinator and when/how will we interact?

The study coordinators are helping to inform potential participants about the opportunity to participate. They are also helping to distribute the rings in-person since the study does not have funds to ship the rings. Your main point of interaction will be during the ring pick-up.

I'm switching from an iOS (Apple) to an Android (non-Apple) phone. Is there anything I need to do or be wary of?

Be sure to sync your ring data with your phone while your phone is connected to the internet before switching phones. Refer to Oura's resources for further information about this process: https://support.ouraring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025592293-Transfer-Your-Oura-Data-to-a-New-Device

What if I change companies or lose my job?

Change happens and the best way to avoid hassle with this study is to use a personal email to sign-up/participate. That way, if you stop working for an employer and lose access to your company email, your participation isn't affected.

In case you do need to change your email associated with the study, please let us know by emailing ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com

Why are there daily surveys?

Our sleep, location, and physical activity impact our daily lives and can lead to significant variation between one day and the next. Therefore, the SMS surveys have been designed to efficiently capture key changes without taking too much of your time. This day-level granularity also combines well with the signals from the Oura ring (e.g., minutes of activity per day).

Why do the surveys get sent from different phone numbers?

We use Qualtrics, a survey platform, to distribute the SMS surveys. Qualtrics uses multiple phone numbers to avoid being labelled as spam and blocked and also to increase the resilience of their system.

I started getting SMS surveys but I haven't gotten my Oura ring yet. Is this expected?

Yes, the 1-minute SMS surveys should arrive each day after you complete the baseline survey. Even if you don't have your Oura ring yet, your participation in these surveys is still valuable and requested.

What's the rationale behind the questions in the daily surveys?

The daily surveys focus on topics that vary from day-to-day (e.g., mood) and relate to other key aspects of the study (e.g., how effective you feel). We exercised restraint in identifying the most brief (but still valid and reliable) measures. You might notice that a few questions rotate over time. This is because these items vary less from day-to-day or were less central to the study aims but are still helpful to have a couple measurement points on.

When will the results of the study be published?

Our goal is to conclude the study by Q3 2023, analyze the data in Q4 2023, draft the manuscript in Q1 2024, and submit for publication in Q2 2024. Journals differ in how much time reviews take and even how much lag there is between acceptance and publication. We hope the results are published in 2024.

How can I stay updated on the latest findings of this study?

You can always stay up to date on the latest wearable research on sites like Google Scholar. We hope to publish our results in 2024, and you can reach out to your field manager around that time for an update.

What's next after this study?

We believe that wearable technology and other passive sensors can exponentially expand the amount of information we collect in research studies (including clinical trials!). Therefore, we plan to continue to design and lead studies with the most accurate, reliable, and valid sensors available. Ultimately, our hope is that these sensors allow individuals and organizations to better understand employee wellbeing and effectiveness so win-wins can be identified (e.g., knowing your best day for meetings might help you optimize your schedule).

How will I receive the report of my metrics?

You will receive an email with your personalized report.

How do I unlock the other sections of my report?

Your personalized report has 6 sections that you can unlock by participating in the study. Every ~6 weeks you should see another section of the report unlock if you've contributed enough Oura ring and SMS survey data.

What do the metrics in my report or the app mean?

Definitions of the Oura app metrics can be found in the app directly or at cloud.ouraring.com in the Guides section. Definitions of metrics in the report are shown directly in the report (e.g., on the final pages).

Why are there gaps / blanks in my data?

If you haven't consistently worn your Oura ring each day and night or completed the daily SMS surveys, you might see gaps in your data or sections that are unavailable. This can also occur if the ring is too loose, not syncing with your phone, or malfunctioning.

If you are wearing your ring consistently, filling out the daily SMS surveys, and have Bluetooth turned on in your phone but the data still aren't syncing, please contact us at ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com

I didn't receive my report. What should I do?

You should check your Spam/Junk folder, in case the email with the report attachment got stuck there. If you're still not able to locate it, you can reach out to ProjectWELLteam@gmail.com

Wearable technology offers a unique opportunity to continuously measure and passively quantify signals related to physical health, mental wellbeing, and potentially employee affect and effectiveness. This opportunity is amplified in the current context of COVID-19 and hybrid work. The current study seeks to understand the interaction of this context with employee wellbeing, effectiveness, and engagement. By exploring relations between work mode, effectiveness, engagement, and wellbeing we hope to be able to design interventions that help employees achieve greater wellbeing and perform closer to their potential.

Objectives

1. 1. Provide employees with cutting-edge wearables and a consumer-ready mobile app experience to support their mental and physical wellbeing

   2. Understand how work mode (e.g., full-time remote) is associated with employee wellbeing and effectiveness

   3. Explore whether wearable signals could serve as a passive channel for understanding employee sentiment and engagement

Research design: Using a prospective, multi-cohort, observational design will enable flexible enrollment and examination of trends across the natural trajectory of hybrid work (e.g., transition back to site, transition to full-time remote). Multiple cohorts also provide the option for specific cohorts to easily add to the core protocol (e.g., if a specific organization would like to add additional measures).

Participants: To capture a demographically diverse set of full-time employees across segments of remote, on-site, and hybrid or transitioning, we hope to recruit 450 individuals from top-tier companies in the Bay Area of California. Top-tier companies are those that invest significant resources in employee wellbeing and performance, beyond the minima required by law and are more likely to be support of this research. By focusing employees from companies headquartered in a specific geographic area, we aim to minimize differences in local context (e.g., cost of living, laws). We are intentionally recruiting a demographically-diverse set of employees to spread the opportunity to participate in this study and ensure the findings are broadly applicable across genders, ethnicities, age groups, and job families. These recruitment efforts will include targeted messages to diverse employee groups and direct outreach by study field managers. If participants transition between groups during the study, this information will be captured through the daily surveys and would enable intra-individual analyses. Since the study focuses on full-time employees and incorporates measures of sleep, individuals who do not work full-time at a top-tier Bay Area company, who work night shift, or who have a sleep disorder are not eligible to participate. Individuals who fail to complete at least one daily survey every two weeks will be exited from the study. Individuals who do not provide usable Oura ring data at least two days every two weeks will be exited from the study.

Observations: Observations will be made during application to the study, an intake session, and via brief daily SMS surveys. All observations will be done remotely and digitally using a web-based questionnaire. The study application will gather basic contact information (e.g., name, email), demographics (e.g., age, gender), information relevant to the exclusion criteria (e.g., company name, employment status), and data about what study group the applicant would fit into (i.e., working remote, on-site, or hybrid). Intake session questionnaires will gather important contextual information (e.g., age of youngest child) as well information about personality (e.g., Big Five Inventory [Goldberg, 19932]) and wellness habits of the participant (e.g., typical alcohol use). Daily survey questionnaires will gauge positive/negative affect, stress, effectiveness, perceived physical wellbeing, and work location. Rotating items may also be added to measure employee experience (e.g., someone explicitly recognized the value of my work today).

Data management and analysis: Data will be stored in the Qualtrics account and computer of the Principal Investigator, Professor Stephan Dilchert (City University of New York). Professor Dilchert has been involved in multiple leading sensor studies (e.g., mPerf, TemPredict).