Shun Nakajima

Affiliation：International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba

Research Title

behavioral science

Addressing Sleep Problems through the Intersection of Psychology and Technology.

MOONSHOT

MOONSHOT

01 Research Summary

In our research lab, we aim to improve the lives of individuals with sleep problems and those around them by utilizing clinical psychology and technology. Our research team includes:


・Development of Next-Generation Psychotherapy Using Digital Technology.
・Optimize Insomnia Treatment Using Multimodal Data.
・Social Implementation Research of Psychotherapy for Sleep Disorders.
・Sleep problems in infants from perinatal period through preschool, and children and adolescents: a caregiver's mental health perspective.
・Automatic Evaluation of Empathy using Generative AI, Implementation of Simulated Patient and Therapist Chatbot.
・Research on Medical Communication
Link

02 Major achievements

Mari Inoue, Shun Nakajima（Corresponding Author）, Naoko Inada, Hitomi Oi, Naoko Sato, Yuri Miyazaki, Hikari Takashina, Hirokuni Tagaya, Yoshiko Adachi, and Hironori Kuga. "Development of the Parenting Behavior Checklist to Promote Preschoolers' Sleep (PCPP)." Behavioral Sleep Medicine, August, 1-11, 2023.

Naoko Sato, Naoko Inada, Shun Nakajima（Corresponding Author）, Hitomi Oi, Mari Inoue, Yuri Miyazaki, Yoshiko Adachi. “Association between mother's depressice symptoms and sleep of mothers and preschool children.” Journal of the National Institute of Public Health(Japanese), 71(3)，432-439，2022

Megumi Hazumi, Shun Nakajima, Yoshiko Adachi. "Is 4-month-old infants' night waking affected by mothers' responses to them? A cross-sectional survey in Japan", Nursing Open, Vol.8(2), pp. 882-889, 2021.

Hitomi Oi, Shun Nakajima, Yuri Miyazaki, Mari Inoue, Masaru Horikoshi, “The role and limitations of tele-cognitive behavior therapy in sustainable development goals.” Japanese Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, 47(2), 119-126, 2021

Shun Nakajima(Corresponding Author), Yoko Komada, Taeko Sasai-Sakuma, Isa Okajima, Yutaka Harada, Kazue Watanabe, Yuichi Inoue, "Higher Sleep Reactivity and Insomnia Mutually Aggravate Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study in Japan." Sleep Medicine, 33, 130-133, 2017.

03 Education/Academic background and major awards

Education/Academic background

Born in Joso City, Ibaraki
2008 Graduated from Master's Program, Clinical Psychology Specialization Graduate School of Psychology, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido
2008 – 2010 Full-time Clinical Psychologist, Hokkaido Mental Care Center
2010 – 2014 Research Assistant, Department of Somnology, Tokyo Medical University
2014 Graduated from Clinical Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical University
2014 – 2015 Assistant Professor, Department of Somnology, Tokyo Medical University
2015 – 2017 Full-time Chief Psychologist, Yoyogi Sleep Disorder Center
2017 – 2018 Assistant Teacher, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Teikyo University
2018 – 2019 Lecture, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Teikyo Universit
2019 – 2023 Chief of clinical service, National Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Research, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
2023 – now Associate professor, International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba

Honors and Special Awards

2013 Best Paper Award, Japanese Society of Stress Science (first author)
2014 Uchiyama Memorial Award for the Best Paper, Japanese Society of Behavioral Medicine(second author)
2022 Diversity Promotion Poster Award (Silver), 48th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Corresponding author)

Q&A Q&A

Q&A: Why did you become a scientist?

Applying Evidence to Clinical Practice

After completing my master's program, I started working as a clinical psychologist in a psychiatric clinic. It was then that one of my senior colleagues, whom I admired, introduced me to the fascinating world of psychotherapy for sleep disorders. The more I studied sleep disorders, the more I realized how important sleep medicine is in addressing the concerns of psychiatric patients. I was eager to apply this knowledge in clinical settings, so I started doing research.

What are the characteristics of your lab?

Building Connections, Creating Together

Our lab focuses on collaboration due to our limited time for research. We work with various individuals, including basic researchers, patients, the general public, and corporations, who share common concerns. This co-creation approach enhances our research capabilities and helps young researchers develop. Despite the increased time investment in communication with a growing network, we maintain an open and inclusive environment. We believe that an open-minded approach among researchers contributes to the advancement of our studies.

What are you most interested in lately?

Cultivating Epiphytic Ferns, Outdoor Activities, and Art

I have developed an interest in cultivating Platycerium, a type of fern, recently. I also enjoy Tenkara fishing and collecting affordable works of art from emerging artists. Supporting the art of younger generations is not only inspiring but also a way to express encouragement through my purchases. Or at least, that's my excuse for indulging in art acquisitions

Core Group

University of Tsukuba Collaborative Research Group

Industry-academia collaboration

Administrative Department