Sleep sounds may boost brain power and mood in anxious young adults

NCT ID NCT05802004

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether playing gentle sounds during deep sleep can improve thinking and emotional control in young adults (ages 18-25) with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Participants will spend two nights in a sleep lab, once with tones and once without, and complete thinking tasks and brain scans. Then they will use a headband at home for two weeks to see if nightly tones reduce symptoms.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

acoustic stimulation via headband device (Philips SmartSleep or Dreem 2)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a simple, non-drug way to improve cognitive control and emotional well-being in young adults with anxiety and depression.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply widely. The intervention is subtle and may not produce meaningful changes in symptoms.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety disorder Depression

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University of Pittsburgh

    RECRUITING

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••