Scientists lock 15 people in a cave for 40 days — no clocks, no sunlight
NCT ID NCT05603780
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study placed 15 healthy volunteers in a natural cave with no access to time cues for 40 days. Researchers measured how their sense of time, sleep cycles, stress levels, and group coordination changed. The goal was to understand how humans adapt to extreme isolation and time distortion, which could help prepare for long space missions or other isolated environments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help scientists understand how humans adapt to extreme isolation and time distortion, which may inform future space missions or disaster scenarios.
What could go wrong
This is a small, observational study with only 15 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It does not test any treatment or intervention.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
CHU CAEN
Caen, France