Enhancing Slow Wave Sleep in Depression

NCT ID: NCT07143838

Last Updated: 2025-12-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

12 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-01-31

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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The goal of this pilot study is to determine if non-invasive brain stimulation during sleep can increase deep sleep in adults with depression. It will also determine if increased deep sleep improves cognitive performance and mood ratings. Participants will be asked to wear a non-invasive device that records their brain activity and delivers transcranial electrical stimulation during sleep. Participants will also wear an actigraphy watch that measures activity levels throughout the study. In addition, participants will complete several cognitive assessments and mood and sleep questionnaires throughout the study.

Detailed Description

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The purpose of this pilot study is to determine if non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) delivered during slow-wave sleep (SWS) can enhance this stage of sleep in people with depression. Individuals with depression frequently report sleep and cognitive disturbances as symptoms associated with their depression. However, common anti-depressants often fail to improve these symptoms. A pilot study with this device showed that TES can enhance slow wave sleep in healthy individuals. This study aims to evaluate if TES will enhance deep sleep in individuals with depression as well, leading to improved sleep outcomes and potentially improving cognitive performance and mood symptoms.

This study proposes to conduct using the Sleep WISP device (Brain Electrophysiology Laboratory (BEL), Eugene, OR). Using this non-invasive device, the study will record brain activity using a technique called electroencephalography (EEG) that will be automatically scored in real-time to determine the stage of sleep. After the participant enters stable slow wave sleep, the headband will deliver the TES current (0.5-1 milliampere (mA) total) directly to the scalp through pre-set electrodes. The stimulation will be applied for 5 cycles of 5 minutes of stimulation, 1 minute of no stimulation (30 minutes total). This level and location of stimulation was previously shown as sufficient to increase SWS.

After screening and enrolling in the study, participants will have up to three nights of baseline recordings using the WISP headband to ensure successful baseline measurements are recorded. Participants will then receive TES nightly for two weeks. Participants will also wear an actigraphy watch and keep a sleep diary throughout the duration of the study. Finally, participants will complete several cognitive assessments and sleep and mood questionnaires throughout the duration of the study.

Conditions

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Depression - Major Depressive Disorder

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES)

All participants will receive transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) during sleep

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Using the Sleep WISP device, transcranial electrical stimulation will be delivered during sleep as 0.5 Hz sine wave, 0.5 mA, between frontal (frontopolar and inferior lateral frontal) and posterior (mastoid and occipital) electrodes.

Interventions

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Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES)

Using the Sleep WISP device, transcranial electrical stimulation will be delivered during sleep as 0.5 Hz sine wave, 0.5 mA, between frontal (frontopolar and inferior lateral frontal) and posterior (mastoid and occipital) electrodes.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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Sleep WISP (Wireless Interface Sensor Pod)

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Ability to complete overnight sleep study including placement of EEG leads
* Ability to read and understand English.
* Moderate depression
* Self-reported cognitive complaints

Exclusion Criteria

* Previous adverse reaction to transcranial electrical stimulation
* Presence of implanted devices (e.g. intracranial device, cochlear implant)
* Presence of metal in head (e.g. surgical clip)
* Sensitivity or allergy to silver
* Presence of significant neurologic disease (e.g. Parkinson's disease, epilepsy/seizure disorder, severe migraine disorder)
* History of significant head trauma
* History of stroke or other ischemic event
* Diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, or presence of current suicidal ideation
* Currently taking medications that could alter EEG or cognitive function
* Presence of severe insomnia
* Presence of severe, untreated sleep apnea
* Currently pregnant
* Planned travel outside time zone during the study
Minimum Eligible Age

40 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

80 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Wake Forest University Health Sciences

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Ruth Benca, MD, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Locations

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Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Ruth Benca, MD, PhD

Role: CONTACT

336-716-2911

Caitlin Carroll, PhD

Role: CONTACT

336-716-2440

Facility Contacts

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Ruth Benca, MD PhD

Role: primary

336-716-2911

Caitlin Carroll, PhD

Role: backup

336-716-2440

References

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Hathaway E, Morgan K, Carson M, Shusterman R, Fernandez-Corazza M, Luu P, Tucker DM. Transcranial Electrical Stimulation targeting limbic cortex increases the duration of human deep sleep. Sleep Med. 2021 May;81:350-357. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.03.001. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33812203 (View on PubMed)

Peterson MJ, Benca RM. Sleep in mood disorders. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2006 Dec;29(4):1009-32; abstract ix. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2006.09.003.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17118279 (View on PubMed)

Benca RM, Obermeyer WH, Thisted RA, Gillin JC. Sleep and psychiatric disorders. A meta-analysis. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1992 Aug;49(8):651-68; discussion 669-70. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1992.01820080059010.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 1386215 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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IRB00134801

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id