Partial Sleep Deprivation for Sleep

Overseen By Michael Ormsbee

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Florida State University

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Poor sleep, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this interventional study is to differentiate the effects of an acute partial sleep deprivation intervention on markers of cardiovascular health, cardio-autonomic function, physical and cognitive performance, as well as overall wellbeing in active vs sedentary individuals. The main aims of the project are: * To differentiate the effects of partial sleep deprivation on central hemodynamics (i.e., central blood pressure and arterial stiffness) in active vs sedentary individuals. * To differentiate the effects of partial sleep deprivation on physical (i.e., handgrip strength and reactive strength index) and cognitive performance (i.e., reaction time and impulse control) in active vs sedentary individuals. * To differentiate the effects of partial sleep deprivation on overall wellbeing (i.e., cardio-autonomic function, inflammation levels, and psychological mood states) in active vs sedentary individuals. Participants will be divided into two groups based on aerobic activity level - active or sedentary - and assessed for markers of cardiovascular health, cardio-autonomic function, physical and cognitive performance, as well as overall wellbeing before and after three days of normal sleep and three days of partially deprived sleep (i.e., 30% reduction in total time in bed).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Partial Sleep Deprivation for sleep?

Research shows that partial sleep deprivation, where patients are kept awake for part of the night, can significantly reduce symptoms of depression. In several studies, many patients experienced a noticeable improvement in their mood after undergoing this treatment, suggesting it can be an effective short-term therapy for depression. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is partial sleep deprivation safe for humans?

Partial sleep deprivation can lead to negative effects on health, such as impaired cognitive performance, increased fatigue, and potential long-term health issues like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, it has been used as a therapy for depression, showing some positive effects, but the safety and impact can vary among individuals. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is partial sleep deprivation treatment different from other sleep treatments?

Partial sleep deprivation is unique because it involves intentionally reducing sleep time, which can temporarily improve mood and alertness, unlike other treatments that aim to increase sleep duration or quality. This approach is different from standard treatments like positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, which focuses on treating sleep-disordered breathing by maintaining open airways during sleep. ^{11 12 13 14 15}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals who are either physically active or sedentary, to study how not getting enough sleep affects heart health, physical and mental performance, and overall wellbeing. Participants will be assessed before and after having normal sleep and then less sleep than usual.

Inclusion Criteria

Chronically active (≥150 minutes of moderate- and/or ≥75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week for the last 3 months)

Sedentary (≤60 minutes of aerobic exercise per week for the last 3 months)

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant

Poor sleep (regularly achieving <7 hours of sleep per night)

I am significantly overweight.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants are assessed for markers of cardiovascular health, cardio-autonomic function, physical and cognitive performance, as well as overall wellbeing before the sleep intervention

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants undergo three days of normal sleep followed by three days of partial sleep deprivation (30% reduction in total time in bed)

6 days

Daily monitoring

Post-Intervention Assessment

Participants are assessed immediately and 3 days after the intervention for changes in cardiovascular health, cardio-autonomic function, physical and cognitive performance, and overall wellbeing

1 week

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any long-term effects of the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Partial Sleep Deprivation

Trial Overview The study looks at the impact of cutting down on sleep by 30% over three days on various aspects like blood pressure, muscle strength, reaction time, mood states, inflammation levels in both active people and those with a sedentary lifestyle.

Participant Groups

Group I: Acute Partial Sleep Deprivation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

30% reduction in habitual time in bed

Group II: Normal Sleep Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Florida State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

234

Recruited

41,100+

Findings from Research

In a 25-day trial involving 18 patients with treatment-resistant depression, periodic sleep deprivation combined with ongoing medication showed better results than medication alone, suggesting a potential enhancement in treatment efficacy.

Some patients experienced rapid recovery after just one or a few sessions of sleep deprivation, indicating that this approach may accelerate remission from depressive episodes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Periodic sleep deprivation in drug-refractory depression. Dessauer, M., Goetze, U., Tölle, R.[2018]

In a study of 23 unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder, it was found that lower baseline REM density in sleep correlated with a greater antidepressant response to late-night partial sleep deprivation, suggesting REM density may be a marker for treatment response.

The study indicates that increased REM density could be linked to poorer prognosis in psychiatric disorders, highlighting its potential role in understanding depression and treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preliminary evidence of an association between increased REM density and poor antidepressant response to partial sleep deprivation. Clark, C., Dupont, R., Golshan, S., et al.[2019]

Sleep deprivation is linked to serious health issues such as increased risk of all-cause mortality, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of addressing sleep disorders for public health.

Treating obstructive sleep apnea is a cost-effective healthcare intervention, providing significant quality-adjusted life years gained compared to other medical therapies, making it a valuable focus for improving patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The public health and safety consequences of sleep disorders. Sigurdson, K., Ayas, NT.[2007]

Sleep deprivation significantly impairs cognitive performance, affecting areas such as attention, memory, and overall cognitive speed, which can lead to serious social and health-related consequences.

Chronic sleep restriction can cause cognitive deficits to accumulate over time, often without the individual realizing it, and genetic factors may influence how vulnerable a person is to these cognitive impairments from sleep loss.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurocognitive consequences of sleep deprivation. Goel, N., Rao, H., Durmer, JS., et al.[2022]

Therapeutic sleep deprivation has been shown to have antidepressant effects, supported by numerous studies since its introduction in 1971, making it a potential treatment option for depressive disorders.

Partial sleep deprivation late at night is as effective as total sleep deprivation, offering a simpler and more practical method for inducing wakefulness in patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sleep deprivation therapy. Kuhs, H., Tölle, R.[2019]

Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is the gold standard for treating sleep-disordered breathing, significantly reducing apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and improving patient quality of life, but many patients struggle with adherence due to discomfort.

Emerging treatments like the hypoglossal nerve stimulator and phrenic nerve stimulator offer promising alternatives by directly stimulating nerves to alleviate airflow obstruction and stabilize breathing patterns, respectively, thus improving AHI severity and quality of life for patients with obstructive and central sleep apnea.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advances in Treatment of Sleep-Disordered Breathing. Lou, BX., Greenberg, H., Korotun, M.[2021]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The timing of partial sleep deprivation in depression. [2019]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Serial partial sleep deprivation in depression--clinical effects and dexamethasone suppression test results. [2017]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Periodic sleep deprivation in drug-refractory depression. [2018]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Partial sleep deprivation as therapy for depression. [2019]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preliminary evidence of an association between increased REM density and poor antidepressant response to partial sleep deprivation. [2019]

6. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The public health and safety consequences of sleep disorders. [2007]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurocognitive consequences of sleep deprivation. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A sleep intervention study comparing effects of sleep restriction and fragmentation on sleep and vigilance and the need for recovery. [2021]

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Partial sleep deprivation: impact on the architecture and quality of sleep. [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sleep deprivation therapy. [2019]

11. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advanced prostate cancer treated with intermittent or continuous androgen deprivation in the randomised FinnProstate Study VII: quality of life and adverse effects. [2022]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

New Protocol of Intermittent Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective Study. [2020]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intermittent androgen suppression in the management of prostate cancer. [2019]

14. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Applying adherent DBT Principles to treatment in a partial hospital setting: An analysis over 5-years of outcomes from intake to discharge. [2021]

15. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advances in Treatment of Sleep-Disordered Breathing. [2021]