Can brain games fix sleep in autism?
NCT ID NCT06291298
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a home-based brain-training program in 12 autistic adults who also had insomnia. Participants played cognitive games for 18 hours over 6 weeks while wearing a sleep tracker and filling out sleep diaries. The goal was to see if the training was usable and could improve thinking and sleep. Because it was a small early test, results are not conclusive.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- computerized cognitive training (brain games)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug way to help autistic adults with both thinking and sleep problems.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small feasibility study with only 12 participants, no control group, and no long-term follow-up. The results may not apply to everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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12 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Finished
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May 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. 18+ years of age 2. Diagnosed with ASD (see 2a). 3. Verbal IQ \>= 70 (Measured via the Weschler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence 2nd Edition28); to ensure verbal skills sufficient to participate in treatment 4. Able to undergo actigraphy assessment 5. Can read and understand English 6. Diagnosed with insomnia (See 3a). 7. No prescribed or OTC sleep medications for 1+ month, or stabilized on medications for 6+ weeks. 2a) ASDb: a) previous DSM diagnosis of ASD (self-reported by ASD adult and guardian; confirmed by clinical documentation provided to project coordinator), 2) evaluation using gold-standard diagnostic tools (i.e., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and/or Autism Diagnostic Interview -Revised \[ADI-R\]). 3a) Insomnia: a) insomnia complaints for 6+ months that b) occur despite adequate opportunity and circumstances for sleep, c) consist of 1 or more of the following: difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, d) daytime dysfunction (mood, cognitive, social, occupational) due to insomnia, f) baseline diaries and actigraphy indicate \>30 minutes of sleep onset latency or wake after sleep onset on 6 or more nights. Exclusion Criteria: 1. unable to provide informed consent 2. diagnosis of sleep disorder other than insomnia \[i.e., sleep apnea (apnea/hypopnea index, AHI \>15), Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (myoclonus arousals per hour \>15)\], 3. comorbid bipolar or seizure disorder (due to risk of sleep restriction treatment) 4. other major psychopathology except depression or anxiety (e.g., suicidal ideation/intent, psychotic disorders) 5. severe untreated psychiatric comorbidity 6. psychotropic or other medications (e.g., beta-blockers) that alter sleep 7. participation in non-pharmacological treatment (including CBT) for pain, sleep or mood outside current trial.
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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
Locations
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University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida, 33620, United States
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