Sleep Enhancement Research Study

STUDY BASICS

Do you experience poor sleep? Do you have symptoms of anxiety and depression? You may be able to participate in a research study examining the effect of acoustic stimulation during sleep in young adults with a range of anxiety and depression symptoms. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Slow-wave sleep is the deepest stage of sleep and is important for restoring daytime functioning and cognitive processes. Cognitive control helps to regulate emotions, a process which is often disrupted in anxiety and mood disorders. Thus, slow-wave sleep may play an important role in anxiety and mood disorders. Playing brief, quiet tones during sleep (i.e., acoustic stimulation) has been shown to enhance slow-wave sleep and cognitive processes in healthy individuals, without disturbing sleep. However, we don't know how playing tones will affect sleep, cognition, and emotional processes in individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. This study will examine the effect of acoustic stimulation during sleep on slow-wave sleep, cognition, and emotions in young adults with a range of anxiety and depression symptoms. 

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Eligible participants:

• Are age 18-25
• Have symptoms of anxiety or depression 
• Experience poor sleep but do not have insomnia or sleep apnea 
• Are not taking psychiatric medications

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This study involves a baseline session, 2 overnight sessions in our sleep lab (~12-15 hours), at home nighttime headband use (~14 nights), maintaining a consistent sleep schedule at home, and a final testing session. The overnight visits include completing tasks and questionnaires assessing sleepiness, mood, and cognitive-emotional processes, sensors attached to your scalp to monitor your sleep, and a headband device that plays quiet tones while you sleep. In the morning, you will complete an fMRI brain scan to assess brain activity.