Actively Recruiting
Associations of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Sleep Disruption, and Vascular Dysfunction in Young Adults: The Iowa ACEs and Sleep Cohort and Manipulating Sleep in Young Adults With ACEs Studies
Led by Nathaniel Jenkins · Updated on 2025-12-11
70
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
45 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how poor sleep may affect blood vessel health in young adults who experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This study aims to understand how disrupted sleep contributes to inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood vessel dysfunction linked to early life stress. The project includes two parts: one observational cohort study and a randomized trial testing a sleep therapy. The study includes young adults aged 18 to 29 years. Initially, participants will have their sleep measured at home using wrist devices for 7 nights and 2 nights of detailed sleep monitoring to assess sleep quality and duration. Blood vessel function will be measured using flow-mediated dilation testing, and small samples of blood vessel cells will be analyzed for inflammation and oxidative stress. About 70 participants with moderate-to-high ACEs will then be randomly assigned to either a 6-week cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or a waitlist control. Afterward, all participants will repeat the same sleep and blood vessel assessments. Participants will be involved for at least 7 weeks, including pre- and post-intervention assessments. They will complete sleep monitoring at home, blood vessel function testing, and blood vessel cell biopsies twice. Researchers will also measure stress levels and various markers related to inflammation and oxidative stress before and after the intervention. The study carefully monitors sleep patterns and vascular health to understand how improving sleep might influence blood vessel function in young adults with ACEs.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The Iowa ACEs and Sleep Cohort and Manipulating Sleep in Young Adults With ACEs Studies
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged 18 to 29 years
- Systolic blood pressure less than 129 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg
- Body mass index between 18.5 and 35 kg/m2
- Willingness to complete in-home sleep studies
- For Aim 2: At least 3 adverse childhood experiences
- For Aim 2: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score greater than 5
- For Aim 2: Sleep efficiency score less than 90%
You will not qualify if you...
- Currently being treated for sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome, hypersomnia, parasomnia, narcolepsy, or obstructive sleep apnea
- Performing overnight shift work
- History of psychiatric disorders with psychotic features or bipolar disorder or current treatment for substance-induced mood disorder
- Suicidal ideation with moderate or high risk
- Diagnosed neurological disorder affecting the central nervous system
- Acute or chronic autoimmune or inflammatory diseases
- Current or past cancer diagnosis
- History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury
- Current or previous cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia or similar sleep therapy
- History of cardiometabolic, pulmonary, or renal disease
- Recent use of anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, glucose-controlling, or prescription anti-inflammatory medications
- Recent use of opiates, benzodiazepines, or trazodone
- Recent changes or unstable prescription medication treatment
- Current smoking or nicotine use
- Current use of hormone therapy
- Heavy alcohol use as defined by binge drinking or weekly consumption limits
- Recent illicit drug use disorder
- Recent pregnancy, breastfeeding, or children under 2 years old in the home
- Excessive physical activity levels
- Unstable housing
- For Aim 2: Likely obstructive sleep apnea indicated by specific sleep study results
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 7 weeks
Participants receive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a structured program designed to improve sleep quality through behavioral and cognitive strategies.
Weekly visits for up to 7 weeks
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Integrative Laboratory of Applied Physiology and Lifestyle Medicine
Iowa City, Iowa, United States, 52242
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
N
Nathaniel D Jenkins, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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