White Noise for Sleep

Overseen By Stuti Jaiswal, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Scripps Health

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 3 nights

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether white noise can improve sleep for patients in the hospital. Researchers aim to determine if playing white noise at different volumes helps people sleep longer, experience fewer disturbances, and feel more rested. Participants will try both higher and lower levels of white noise on different nights during their hospital stay. Ideal participants are adults admitted to the hospital's internal medicine service for at least three nights. As an unphased trial, this study offers patients the chance to contribute to innovative research that may enhance sleep quality in hospitals.

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 prior data suggests that this white noise therapy is safe for improving sleep in hospital patients?

Research shows that most people can use white noise to help them sleep without major problems. One study found that white noise didn't cause serious side effects, though a few people stopped using it due to discomfort. This suggests that white noise is safe for most users. However, some reports indicate mixed evidence regarding its effectiveness and safety. A few studies even suggest it might disturb sleep for some users. Overall, while white noise is generally safe, individual experiences vary, so it's important to observe how the body reacts. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of white noise for sleep because it's a non-invasive, drug-free approach that could potentially improve sleep quality without the side effects often associated with sleeping pills. Unlike traditional sleep aids, which can be habit-forming or cause grogginess, active white noise might enhance sleep by masking disruptive sounds with a consistent auditory backdrop. This method could offer a simple, cost-effective solution for those struggling with insomnia or light sleep, potentially improving sleep quality through a natural auditory mechanism rather than pharmacological intervention.

What evidence suggests that white noise is effective for improving sleep in hospital patients?

Research has shown that white noise can help people sleep better by masking disruptive sounds. A review of several studies found that white noise improved sleep, supporting its use as a non-drug method to enhance sleep quality. In this trial, participants will experience different levels of white noise. On Night A, participants will receive active white noise, which previous studies suggest might reduce disturbances from sudden noises, potentially improving sleep for those in noisy environments like hospitals. On Night B, participants will receive inactive white noise, which is not expected to noticeably impact sleep. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who are admitted to the inpatient internal medicine service for at least three nights. It's designed to help those experiencing poor sleep in the hospital by testing if white noise can improve their sleep quality and duration.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been hospitalized in the internal medicine department for at least 3 nights.

I am over 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive white noise intervention during their hospital stay, with active and inactive white noise on different nights

3 nights

Inpatient stay

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sleep quality, delirium incidence, and other health metrics

72 hours

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Active white noise
• Inactive white noise

Trial Overview

The study compares two levels of white noise: 'active' (57-60 decibels) and 'inactive' (45-50 decibels). Each participant will experience both on different nights. The effects on sleep duration, fragmentation, and subjective quality will be measured, along with room noise levels, blood glucose, blood pressure, and delirium incidence.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Night A active white noise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients receiving active level of white noise on night A

Group II: Night B inactive white noise Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Patients will receive a lower Level of white noise on night B. Termed "inactive," because do not expect the level to have a noticeable change in sound level changes, and thus sleep.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Scripps Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

59

Recruited

43,400+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 11 patients with idiopathic subjective tinnitus, sound stimulation during sleep significantly reduced tinnitus intensity, with most patients experiencing improvement within the first week of treatment.

Over a 6-month period, the treatment led to continued decreases in tinnitus intensity, and three patients even reported periods of total silence, suggesting a promising new approach for managing this condition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tinnitus treatment with sound stimulation during sleep. M, P., D, D., S, R., et al.[2011]

A systematic review of 38 studies found that the evidence supporting continuous white noise as a sleep aid is very low quality, suggesting it may not reliably improve sleep outcomes.

The review highlighted significant variability in research findings, with some studies indicating that white noise could disrupt sleep, raising concerns about its safety and effectiveness as a sleep intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Noise as a sleep aid: A systematic review. Riedy, SM., Smith, MG., Rocha, S., et al.[2021]

White noise has been identified as a non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia, showing effectiveness in promoting sleep in both neonates and adults by reducing ambient sound disturbances.

This method is considered a safe, simple, and cost-effective alternative to traditional sleep medications, particularly beneficial for individuals with psychiatric conditions like acute stress disorder and PTSD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence based complementary intervention for insomnia. López, HH., Bracha, AS., Bracha, HS.[2006]

A systematic review of 34 studies involving 1,103 participants found that pink noise was particularly effective in improving sleep outcomes, with 81.9% of studies reporting positive results, compared to 33% for white noise.

No adverse effects were reported from the short-term use of auditory stimulation during sleep, suggesting that these interventions are safe, although the overall evidence for their effectiveness remains weak.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Systematic review: auditory stimulation and sleep. Capezuti, E., Pain, K., Alamag, E., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 10 adults from a New York City sleep clinic, the use of white noise significantly improved sleep quality, as evidenced by reduced wake after sleep onset (WASO) and shorter sleep latency.

The findings suggest that white noise can be an effective intervention for individuals experiencing sleep disturbances due to high environmental noise, highlighting its potential as a practical tool for improving sleep in noisy urban settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of white noise on sleep and duration in individuals living in a high noise environment in New York City. Ebben, MR., Yan, P., Krieger, AC.[2021]

In a study involving 28 adults with disturbed sleep, both Sound A and Sound B were found to reduce the number of awakenings compared to baseline, indicating potential benefits for subjective sleep quality.

While Sound B showed some effects on objectively measured sleep, neither sound improved morning psychomotor performance, suggesting that while ambient sounds may help with sleep disturbances, they do not necessarily enhance daytime functioning.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of two types of ambient sound during sleep. Montgomery-Downs, HE., Insana, SP., Miller, EA.[2009]

Therapeutic sound is an effective management strategy for tinnitus, focusing on three main objectives: relieving stress associated with tinnitus, diverting attention from the tinnitus sound, and providing engaging auditory experiences.

The article outlines nine combinations of sound types (environmental sound, music, and speech) that can be used in conjunction with Progressive Audiologic Tinnitus Management and other sound-based therapies, highlighting the versatility of sound in tinnitus treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using therapeutic sound with progressive audiologic tinnitus management. Henry, JA., Zaugg, TL., Myers, PJ., et al.[2022]

In a study of 60 patients in a critical care unit, the use of white noise did not significantly change the average sleep duration or quality compared to a control group, suggesting that it may not be effective for improving sleep in this setting.

Despite the lack of significant changes in sleep metrics, the study recommends white noise as a method to mask environmental sounds, which could help maintain sleep quality in the coronary care unit.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of White Noise on Sleep in Patients Admitted to a Coronary Care. Farokhnezhad Afshar, P., Bahramnezhad, F., Asgari, P., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 18 healthy subjects, the use of broadband sound significantly reduced the time it took to fall asleep by 38% compared to normal environmental noise, indicating its potential effectiveness in improving sleep onset latency.

For individuals who typically have trouble falling asleep, broadband sound administration also enhanced subjective sleep quality and reduced the frequency of sleep arousals, suggesting it could be a beneficial intervention for managing insomnia symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Broadband Sound Administration Improves Sleep Onset Latency in Healthy Subjects in a Model of Transient Insomnia. Messineo, L., Taranto-Montemurro, L., Sands, SA., et al.[2022]

Mobile devices can reliably deliver acoustic therapy signals for tinnitus, demonstrating their potential for effective sound-based interventions.

An automated pitch-matching algorithm for tinnitus was found to be as accurate as traditional methods but with significantly less variability, making it easier for patients to use and control their therapy without professional help.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Validation of a Mobile Device for Acoustic Coordinated Reset Neuromodulation Tinnitus Therapy. Hauptmann, C., Wegener, A., Poppe, H., et al.[2020]

Citations

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1087079220301283

Noise as a sleep aid: A systematic review

White noise is purported to mask disruptive noises in the bedroom environment and be a non-pharmacological approach for promoting sleep and improving sleep ...

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10135504/

White Noise and Its Potential Applications in Occupational ...

Results: Various applications were examined, including noise masking, white noise therapy, cognitive functions, and sleep. WN can enhance the work environment ...

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sleepfoundation.org

sleepfoundation.org/noise-and-sleep/white-noise

What Is White Noise?

In another study, listening to white noise through headphones improved sleep quality for critically ill patients Trusted Source National Library ...

4.

jcsm.aasm.org

jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.9860

Systematic review: auditory stimulation and sleep

Nineteen studies had positive findings in terms of improving sleep outcomes: 6 white noise (33%), 9 pink noise (81.9%), and 4 multiaudio (66.7%).

5.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04578860

Effectiveness of Music Therapy on Sleep Disorders

The purpose of this study is to determine whether listening to music before falling asleep can improve sleep quality in patients with sleep disorders. Detailed ...

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590142725000175

Impact and efficacy of Sound Machine on Sleep in ...

White noise was well tolerated with no major adverse effects reported, and only 8 participants discontinued the study due to discomfort or found ...

7.

theguardian.com

theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/oct/18/white-noise-as-sleep-aid-may-do-more-harm-than-good-say-scientists

White noise as sleep aid may do more harm than good, say ...

White noise as sleep aid may do more harm than good, say scientists. Review finds quality of evidence is poor and noise may lead to more disrupted sleep.