Brain-Timed sound pulses tested to boost sleep during sedation
NCT ID NCT04206059
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether playing short sound bursts in sync with brain slow waves during sedation with dexmedetomidine can enhance sleep-like brain activity. 18 healthy adults each experienced in-phase, anti-phase, and sham stimulation in repeated blocks. The goal was to see if the timing of sound affects slow wave activity and arousal thresholds.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Closed loop acoustic stimulation (sound pulses timed to brain slow waves)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a way to enhance sleep quality during medical sedation without drugs.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early study in healthy volunteers, not patients. It only measures brain activity, not real sleep benefits, and may not translate to clinical practice.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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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.
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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
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Locations
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Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital
St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States