According to several researchers, traditional horizontal sleeping has been shown to prevent the ability of the body's

circulatory system to function at an optimum level; thus, this sleeping position causes restricted blood flow and the
inability of the lymphatic system to flush out the toxins that accumulate in the many networks of vessels throughout the
body. Inclined Bed Therapy (IBT) tends to solve this problem. Introduced by Andrew K. Fletcher, Inclined Bed Therapy
(IBT) involves sleeping on a bed raised at the head between 4 and 8 inches using bricks, wedges or blocks. This utilizes
the force of gravity to improve the circulation of the body while asleep and taking advantage of this by allowing body
cells to heal and regenerate on their own. Circulation is maintained and improved from changes in all fluid densities in
the lymphatic system due to gravity. For this, reports from users around the world stated that Inclined Bed Therapy can
be useful in disorders such as spinal cord injury, back pain, acid reflux or GERD, sinus and respiratory disorders, sleep
apnea, poor circulation, blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and diabetes. In this study, we examined the effect of this
Inclined Bed Therapy on diabetic individuals whether it is effective in controlling blood sugar. We hypothesized that
sleeping on an inclined bed eventually decreases blood sugar levels.

Initially, there were 13 individuals or volunteered participants registered of which 12 had been diagnosed by their
health service provider to be diabetic and 1 was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. The method was very simple. Interview with
participants was conducted and participants were evaluated and monitored while sleeping on an inclined bed raised
initially at 4 inches head up position and 6 inches after four weeks. This was done with either 4 to 6 inches bricks or
pairs of 2X4 wood blocks stacked together under the two legs of the bed at the head to resemble the inclined bed
dimensions shown in the diagram and demonstration picture below.

Blood glucose in mg/dL were taken and measured before using IBT from individuals blood sample using ACCU-CHEK
Aviva system and also after several weeks while using IBT. Due to accessibility and transportation limitations, Fasting
Blood Sugar(FBS) readings were taken only from 5 individuals and Random Blood Sugar(RBS) readings were taken from
the remaining 8 individuals.

Throughout the course of the study 2 participants did not make it at some days to be consistent in using their inclined
bed due to family funeral commitments and church community activities such as prayer retreats and church feastings

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Figure 1. Dimensions and angle of inclination for Inclined Bed as recommended by Andrew K. Fletcher

Figure 2. Practical demonstration of preparing a bed for use in Inclined Bed Therapy.

Results

Table 1. Blood glucose readings of participants prior to using Inclined Bed Therapy and after one month of using Inclined
Bed Therapy. Yellow highlights indicated fbs readings.

Figure 3. Graphical presentation of Fasting Blood Sugar (Fbs) readings for participants prior to using Inclined Bed
Therapy and after one month of using Inclined Bed Therapy.

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Figure 4. Graphical presentation of Random Blood Sugar (Fbs) readings for participants prior to using Inclined Bed
Therapy and after one month of using Inclined Bed Therapy.

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Photo 1. Wooden homemade bed raised at the head by stacking pairs 2X4 wood blocks to make an elevation height of
4. Photo by Mio (participant).

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Photo 2. Wooden homemade bed raised at the head using a pair of 4 bricks to make an incline. Photo by Elehna
(participant).

From the FBS testing group, none of the 5 participants were on prescribed medication to control their blood sugar
levels. After one month of using Inclined Bed Therapy, 2 showed elevation in their blood sugar levels while the other 3
showed reduction in their blood sugar levels. While looking at the 7 participants in the RBS testing group, only 2 showed
elevations in their blood sugar while the remaining 5 showed reductions in their blood sugar readings. 5 of these 7
participants were on prescribed medication. One of the 2 who showed elevations in blood sugar readings was on
prescribed medication.
Investigating behind the elevated readings of both testing groups, Eltrine from the FBS group was off from using inclined
bed for a few days by attending a home away prayer retreat which was followed by a one week church feasting activity.
Kerson from the same group had to leave his home and stayed away for a few days to attend a family funeral. Funeral
activities and ceremonies in Pohnpei involved participating in many food catering, meals and drinking of kava for almost
a week. The two participants both admitted to have had anticipated and felt an elevation in their blood sugar levels
from the activities. Lucy from the RBS group was on prescribed medication and had been missing on her doses a few
days in a row during throughout the duration of the study. Anrak from the same RBS group was not on any medication
but had not been watching much over what she ate. She mostly had oily and fatty meals.
All Participants listed other problems including: back pain, edema, difficulty sleeping, frequent night urination,
snoring, morning light headedness and pain in joints. All participants claimed to have noticed improvement in all
these problems.
The results have indicated that Inclined Bed Therapy may improve efficacy in reducing blood sugar levels only in
attempted measures. However, further analysis and extended study should be required to validate this. Perhaps, one
month was too early to provide us with final and most reliable conclusion.

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