Method and device for monitoring and treating sleep disorders and sleep-related conditions

A method of partially awakening a user to improve sleep or to treat a sleep disorder, comprising the steps of:

• determining a target awakening time;
• automatically applying an intervention to the user at the target awakening time without operator intervention;
• monitoring a sleep state of the user while applying the intervention;
• and
• terminating the intervention automatically when the monitoring of the sleep state indicates that the user is partially awakened.

An apparatus configured to partially awaken a user, comprising:

• at least one sensor configured to monitor a sleep parameter of the user;
• at least one therapeutic device configured to apply a therapy to the user to partially awaken the user;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one therapeutic device, the controller configured to determine a target awakening time based on the monitored sleep parameter and to control the at least one therapeutic device to apply the therapy to the user at the target awakening time to partially awaken the user.