FAQs

General Questions

  • Participation in research is entirely voluntary. Participants will be asked to sign a consent form to allow us to collect data. Anyone who has joined the study can withdraw at any time during data collection, even after consent forms have been signed.

  • Please check the device for cracks or visible damage. Check to make sure that all pieces of the devices are attached. If there is no visible damage, the devices should be fine. If there is visible damage, contact study staff as soon as you can to get a replacement.

  • Please discontinue use of the device causing discomfort and let our research team know.

    Pittsburgh: sleeplife@upmc.edu

    Boston: nerdlab@childrens.harvard.edu 

    Miami:  sleeplife@nicklaushealth.org  

Payment process (University of Pittsburgh)

  • Payments for research study participants are issued using personalized, reloadable, MasterCard-branded, stored value cards (i.e. a debit card).

  • Withdraw funds from an ATM: Vincent cards can be taken to any ATM that displays the MasterCard acceptance mark and withdraw cash. Simply swipe the card and enter your PIN number. Certain ATMs offer one free withdrawal per card load, including Citizens Bank, Huntington Bank, and certain PNC ATMs. After the first withdrawal, you will be charged a fee for additional withdrawals. Avoid ATM fees by withdrawing your payment in full. When using your Vincent card at an ATM, you may only withdraw up to $500 per day. Card balance inquiries made at an ATM will result in a fee; see the back of your Vincent card for a website or phone number to check card balance for free.

    Use as a MasterCard debit card: Vincent cards can also be used anywhere that MasterCard debit cards are accepted, just provide the card at checkout. Make sure you know the balance on your card; if you are making a purchase for more than the amount loaded on the card, your purchase may be declined. You may receive cash back at a store that offers your Vincent card; the PIN code must be provided. If using your Vincent card for an internet transaction, you first need to register your card with www.paynuver.com

  • You can check your card balance at www.paynuver.com or call 1-888-743-8863. This website and phone number are printed on the back of your Vincent card.

  • Reach out to our research team. One of our team members will be able to reset your PIN.

  • Please keep your Vincent card even if there is $0 on the card. This card is reloadable. You use it to receive research study payment at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh until the expiration date specified on the front of the card.

  • You must register your card with www.paynuver.com to dispute charges or to make internet transactions

Daily Sleep Log

  • Remember as best as you can to fill out sleep log each day; compensation is based on daily sleep tracking. Please do not try to fill out a past sleep log that you have forgotten. 

Wrist Activity Monitor

  • You should wear the wrist activity monitor on your non-dominant wrist, which is the hand you do not write with (i.e., if you write with you right hand, please wear the device on your left wrist).

  • Yes. The wrist activity monitor is water resistant and can be worn while washing your hands, showering, bathing, or swimming. However, do not wear the device in salt water (e.g. the ocean) or in situations where it could get damaged. If you need to remove it for any period of time, please let our research team know.

  • You will wear the wrist activity monitor continuously 24/7 during the sleep tracking period. You may take it off while showering, bathing, or swimming. If you take off the watch, please store it in a safe place where you won’t lose it and remember to put it back on as soon as possible. 

  • The wrist activity monitor battery will be sent to you fully charged and has plenty of “life” for the duration of your participation. You do not need to charge it. 

  • Pushing the button tells us when you are trying to sleep. Please firmly press the button every time you try to go to sleep, including naps. Please press the button again when you get out of bed. You must firmly press the button for it to register. You will see a green light briefly flash to show the marker was successful. 

  • If you forget to press the button, skip it rather than pressing it late. Just remember as best as you can for the next time.