Under constant and specific surveillance, hypnotic drugs are a very effective means of therapy. Facing the inherent risk of hypnotic dependency, the workpackage works out guidelines about indication and adequate dosage. Meanwhile, some of the guidelines have been published. Exploiting the results of both the latest pharmacological and medical research, at present the workpackage is busy elaborating new guidelines.

Prof. Dr. R. Steinberg
Pfalzklinik Landeck
Weinstr. 100
D-76889 Klingenmünster

Phone: +49-6349-791001
Fax: +49-6349-791099

This workpackage is elaborating guidelines for the education of physicians, psychologists and medical technicians. The curricula consist of standards with respect to both theoretical and practical education in sleep medicine. The education focuses on diagnostic procedures and therapies and intends to establish the fundamental principles of the necessary qualifications for a supplementary title in "Sleep Medicine".

Prof. Dr. H. Schulz
Klinik für Neurologie
Klinikum Erfurt
Nordhäuser Str. 74
D-99089 Erfurt

Phone +49-361-7812147
Fax. +49-361-7812132

At regular intervals, the workpackage "Communication" publishes the circular of the society called "DGSM Rundbrief". It has a coordinating function within the different workpackages. At present, the group is going to establish an information server for the society. In future, circulars and bibliographical references of importance will be distributed among all members with the help of this server.

Dr.G.Mayer
HEPHATA-Klinik
Schimmelpfengstraße
D-34613 Schwalmstadt-Treysa

Phone: +49-6691-2733
Fax: +49-6691-2823

Questionnaires about out-patient diagnostic and characteristic cycles of sleep are being evaluated within comparative multicenter studies. The workpackage is developing a set of questionnaires to get statistics on symptoms which are varying a lot.

Dipl. Psych. R. M. Hofmann
Universität Münster
Messkamp 15
D-48147 Münster

Phone: +49-02512-94417

The workpackage Vigilance deals with the selection, construction and validation of instruments that serve to register the efficiency and ability to work of patients with sleep disorders. This is of great importance as the severity of sleep disorders depends on the effects that they have on daytime efficieny. These instruments are very important for the judgment of therapy results (remission rank) and for expert witnesses.

Dipl.Psych.H.G.Weeß
Sleep Laboratory - Pfalzklinik Landeck
Weinstr. 100
D-76889 Klingenmünster

Phone: +49-6349-791119
Fax: +49-6349-1099

Chronobiology

The workpackage Chronobiology works on the results of the research about "biological rhythms" of the organism. The group concentrates on sleep-wake-rhythm disorders which is a central theme, but it also deals with shift work, jet-lag and accidents. Several results have been published in the past.

PD Dr.J.Zulley
Bezirkskrankenhaus Regensburg
Universitätsstraße 84
D-93042 Regensburg

Phone: +49-941-9411500
Fax: +49-941-9411505

As this workpackage requires interdisciplinary interaction to a large extent, it is composed of scientists of many different specialties. It focuses on the quality and the development of sleep medicine in clinical centers. One subgroup is working out relevant costs, another one is judging the quality of classes in clinical centers according to the NUB guidelines. Guidelines about out-patient and in-patient diagnosis of sleep related breathing disorders have been published. This group has worked together with the workpackage Methodology to gain experience with systems for out-patient diagnostics. A documentation about difficult CPAP settings has been worked out and is ready to be published. Recommendations concerning psychophysiological and cardiopulmonary aspects of diagnostics are planned to be worked out together with representatives of AGNAK and other workpackages.

Prof. Dr. M. E. Schläfke
Department for Applied Physiology
Ruhr-University Bochum
Universtitätsstraße 150
D-44801 Bochum

Phone: +49-234-70004884
Fax: +49-234-7094250

Central subjects of this workpackage are sleep related breathing disorders during childhood and adolescence as well as specific problems regarding respiratory therapy. Epidemiological data about the distribution of breathing disorders and other sleep disorders will be supplied by prospective multicenter studies.

Dr.A.Winter
Kinderklinik Köln-Porz
Urbacher Weg 19
D-51149 Köln

Phone: +49-2203-566354
Fax: +49-2203-566355

Guidelines about the equipment of diagnostic sleep centers have been published. Now the group is working out recommendations for the computer assisted evaluation of polysomnographic recordings. It also coordinates the quality control and acknowledgement of sleep centers.

PD Dr. Dipl. Phys. T. Penzel
Sleep Laboratory
Medical Policlinic of Philipps-University
Baldingerstraße 1
D-35043 Marburg

Phone: +49-6421-285392
Fax: +49-6421-284958

All research activities concerning sleep of the DGSM members are coordinated by this workpackage. At present, a subject index is worked out that will contain all publications in Germany of 1994.

Prof.Dr.D.Riemann / Dr.G.Hajak
Psychiatr.Klinik der Universität
Hauptstr. 5
D-79104 Freiburg

Phone: +49-761-2796919
Fax: +49-761-2706523

Although sleep onset insomnia and sleep disturbance occur with prevalence, there is generally little knowledge of diagnosis and therapy. Therefore, the workpackage supports professional education. Psycho-educative programs for therapies without drugs have been developed. The group is working on further recommendations concerning theurapeutic procedures.

Dr.G.Hajak / Prof.Dr.D.Riemann
Psychiatr. Klinik der Universität
Von-Siebold-Str. 5
D-37075 Göttingen

Phone: +49-551-398493
Fax: +49-551-392620