What is acoustic stimulation studying for anxiety and depression symptoms?

This study is exploring how playing soft sounds during deep sleep affects mood, cognition, and brain activity in young adults with anxiety or depression symptoms. The research aims to understand if enhancing slow-wave sleep can influence emotional and cognitive processes. The study is led by Michelle Stepan and involves using specialized headband devices during sleep.

Who may be eligible for this anxiety and depression clinical trial?

Young adults aged 18 to 25 with normal hearing and elevated anxiety or depression symptoms, along with sleep disturbances, may be eligible. Both men and women can participate. People using medications that affect sleep or mood, or with certain psychiatric or sleep disorders, may not qualify. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this anxiety and depression clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the use of the headband device and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal expenses like travel may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should plan accordingly for any costs associated with attending study visits.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years - 25Years

All Genders

ID05802004

Study of Acoustic Stimulation During Sleep to Improve Thinking and Emotions in Young Adults with Anxiety and Depression

Led by Michelle Stepan · Updated on 2025-09-18

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying young adults aged 18 to 25 with elevated anxiety or depression symptoms and sleep disturbances. This study evaluates how acoustic stimulation during slow-wave sleep affects cognitive control and emotional responses. The trial uses devices to enhance slow-wave activity during sleep and measures behavioral, self-reported, and brain imaging outcomes to understand the impact on mood and cognition. Participants complete two overnight sessions in a sleep lab wearing a headband device that either plays sub-arousal tones during slow-wave sleep or does not. The order of these sessions is randomized. After these visits, participants use the headband device at home nightly for about two weeks, with half receiving the tones and half not, to assess longer-term effects. Throughout the study, participants undergo cognitive and emotional assessments including tasks like the AX-CPT, IAPS, and karaoke tasks, along with mood and sleep diaries. Researchers collect sleep data using polysomnography and actigraphy. Final evaluations happen after the home use period to measure changes in anxiety, depression symptoms, cognitive flexibility, and brain activity related to emotional and cognitive processes.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Acoustic Stimulation, Sleep, and Cognitive-Emotional Processes in Young Adults With Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 25Years

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Age between 18 and 25 years
Equal numbers of men and women will be included
Normal hearing
Elevated anxiety or depression symptoms with PROMIS T-scores ≥ 60
Elevated sleep disturbance with PROMIS sleep disturbance T-scores ≥ 55

You will not qualify if you...

Severe chronic or psychiatric conditions such as psychosis, bipolar disorder, developmental disorders, or substance use disorder
Current use of psychotropic or sleep-affecting medications including antidepressants, antipsychotics, steroids, and stimulants
Substance abuse
Consumption of more than 14 standard alcoholic drinks per week
Consumption of more than 400mg of caffeine per day
Drug or alcohol use within 48 hours before overnight sessions
Severe insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index > 21) or sleep apnea symptoms (STOP-Bang score ≥ 3)
Extreme bedtimes (before 10:00pm or after 1:00am) or wake times (before 6:00am or after 10:00am)
Average sleep duration less than 5 hours or more than 9 hours
Uncorrected vision problems
Claustrophobia
Metal in the body
Body Mass Index over 40
Pregnancy
Left handedness
Formal vocal training or good/very good singing ability
Lack of smartphone or tablet ownership
Inability or unwillingness to complete study procedures
Hairstyles that prevent scalp access for polysomnography electrodes

Research Team

Michelle E Stepan, PhD

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Study of Acoustic Stimulation During Sleep to Improve Thinking and Emotions in Young Adults with Anxiety and Depression

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Brief Title

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria

Research Team

Not the Right Trial for You?

On this page

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria