Celebrating 50 years of sleep

This February, The Alfred celebrated the opening of its state-of-the-art new sleep laboratory, 25 years since the first sleep lab was established and 50 years of sleep research.

Sleep is recognised across medical disciplines as a vital component in healthy weight, mood, cardiovascular function, immunity and so much more. But 50 years ago, this wasn't the case.

In 1969, Dr Murray Johns conducted the first ever sleep study at The Alfred – which was also one of the first in the Australia. Prior to that, sleep was a medical enigma.

Within Monash University’s Department of Surgery, Dr Johns set out to investigate the factors that lead to ‘post-operative delirium’.

That study was significant as it paved the way for The Alfred’s interest and leadership in the field of sleep medicine and research.  

Professor Matthew Naughton, head of general respiratory and sleep medicine, said over the years, research has proven the integral role of sleep in maintaining healthy weight, cardiac and respiratory function, mood and so much more.

Over the last century, he said people have become more sleep deprived with the advent of technology, longer work hours and less physical activity. 

“Lack of sleep causes many ill effects such as poor mental health, delayed healing, greater work place accidents and road crashes. Recently, research indicates sleep assists recovery and wound healing, immune and neurological function,” Professor Naughton said.

“Sleep is a crucial pillar of health: along with exercise and diet. We still have a lot to learn in this field.”

The new laboratory features private patient rooms with ensuites and high level monitoring capable of detecting complex sleep disorders.