SUMMARY
Lois E. Krahn, M.D., has been conducting research and clinical practice as a sleep medicine specialist for more than 20 years. Her interests lie in exploring emerging concepts and trends in the field. Attention to current developments, such as novel pharmacologic compounds, bedroom sleep environment and potential for mobile technology to influence sleep, allows her to continually address new questions and issues in clinical sleep medicine and research.
Dr. Krahn also researches the development of accessible and convenient forms of behavior therapy for patients with sleep disorders. Current work includes research on online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, integrated with clinical practice to study how to best incorporate cutting-edge technologies with more traditional therapies.
Focus areas
- Wearable and mobile technology. Dr. Krahn studies the use of wearable technology and mobile devices to improve patient outcomes in obstructive sleep apnea.
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Narcolepsy and related hypersomnia. Investigation of the symptoms, treatment and epidemiology of narcolepsy and related hypersomnia is one of Dr. Krahn's long-term research interests. She is especially concerned with the consequences and implications of excessive sleep in patients' work or school environments, and with self-management strategies such as nicotine use.
- Parasomnia and sleepwalking disorders. In particular, Dr. Krahn is focused on the causes of parasomnia and other sleepwalking phenomena and on differentiating between naturally occurring instances and those that result from external triggers such as prescription medications.
- Cultural and environmental aspects of sleep. Dr. Krahn investigates "hidden" patterns that may affect patients' sleep cycles. For instance, she has examined pet ownership trends over time, including where service animals sleep in relation to their owners, to learn how owners' sleeping habits and well-being are affected. She also studies the possible adverse consequences of inflight substance use for jet lag.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Krahn's research questions often arise from direct patient interaction. During clinical care, she listens to patients' concerns to create her research agenda, with the goal of circling back to address the causes of patients' sleep disorders as well as to provide therapies and risk reduction.
Professional highlights
- Physician board member, Arizona Medical Board, 2015-present
- Task force member, Clinical Guidelines for the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2015-present
- Deputy director of education, Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, 2014-present
- Task force chair, American Academy of Sleep Medicine Quality Measures for Narcolepsy, 2014-2015
- President, Arizona Sleep Society, 2012-present