INSIGHT: Insomnia, Nightmares, and Sympathetic Hyperactivity Intervention
NCT ID: NCT07288593
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Study Results
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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NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
180 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2026-01-31
2027-12-31
Brief Summary
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The INSIGHT study will produce the most comprehensive dataset to date linking autonomic physiology, glymphatic function, sleep architecture, wearable-derived biomarkers, cognition, and clinical outcomes in warfighters. By identifying physiological signatures of sympathetic hyperarousal and determining whether a non-pharmacological wearable intervention can meaningfully improve sleep, INSIGHT directly supports Department of Defense priorities to enhance readiness, resilience, and long-term neurological health in service members. Wearable tools capable of monitoring and improving sleep outside the laboratory have the potential to transform both clinical care and operational performance, offering scalable and accessible approaches to restoring sleep and optimizing recovery.
Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
TRIPLE
Study Groups
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Control Arm
Participants assigned to the sham intervention receive an outwardly identical NightWare smartwatch that does not deliver haptic interventions in response to stress physiology. The sham device collects the same passive physiological data but does not actively attempt to modify sleep or autonomic activity. This arm controls for placebo effects, device expectations, and nightly wear. Participants follow the same 30-day procedures, including daily surveys and physiological sensor wear, ensuring all aspects of participation are identical except for the therapeutic haptic function.
Sham (No Treatment)
NW device that does not deliver any intervention
Intervention Arm
Participants assigned to the active intervention receive a functioning NightWare smartwatch configured to detect physiological signs of sympathetic activation during sleep, such as heart-rate spikes and movement patterns. When these stress signals exceed a preset threshold, the device delivers brief, gentle haptic vibrations designed to interrupt escalating autonomic arousal without fully awakening the user. The goal is to reduce nighttime sympathetic hyperactivity, improve sleep continuity, and alleviate insomnia symptoms. Participants wear the device nightly for 30 days and complete daily surveys and physiological monitoring to assess treatment effects.
NightWare smartwatch configured to detect physiological signs of sympathetic activation during sleep, such as heart-rate spikes and movement patterns.
Participants assigned to the active intervention receive a functioning NightWare smartwatch configured to detect physiological signs of sympathetic activation during sleep, such as heart-rate spikes and movement patterns. When these stress signals exceed a preset threshold, the device delivers brief, gentle haptic vibrations designed to interrupt escalating autonomic arousal without fully awakening the user. The goal is to reduce nighttime sympathetic hyperactivity, improve sleep continuity, and alleviate insomnia symptoms. Participants wear the device nightly for 30 days and complete daily surveys and physiological monitoring to assess treatment effects.
Interventions
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NightWare smartwatch configured to detect physiological signs of sympathetic activation during sleep, such as heart-rate spikes and movement patterns.
Participants assigned to the active intervention receive a functioning NightWare smartwatch configured to detect physiological signs of sympathetic activation during sleep, such as heart-rate spikes and movement patterns. When these stress signals exceed a preset threshold, the device delivers brief, gentle haptic vibrations designed to interrupt escalating autonomic arousal without fully awakening the user. The goal is to reduce nighttime sympathetic hyperactivity, improve sleep continuity, and alleviate insomnia symptoms. Participants wear the device nightly for 30 days and complete daily surveys and physiological monitoring to assess treatment effects.
Sham (No Treatment)
NW device that does not deliver any intervention
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Current or former military service member
* Able to read and understand English language without the use of an interpreter
* Habitual bedtime between 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM
* Aged 18-62 (inclusive)
* Able to commit to study procedures
Exclusion Criteria
* Started use of SNRIs or SSRIs in the last 3 months
* Pregnant
* Receiving ongoing and extensive treatment for a new or acute psychiatric disorder within 90 days, other than routine follow-up and care
* Starting concurrent evidence based psychiatric treatment within the past three months
* Diagnosis of a serious medical condition (i.e., late-stage cancer or heart disease)
* Routine night shift work in the past 3 months
* Unstable neurological disease/autonomic disorders/ heart conditions/psych/ sleep or other unstable disorder as determined by the Principal Investigator/Associate
* Investigators determined by clinical interview by Mini international neuropsychiatric interview and medical health questionnaire
* Excessive alcohol use as determined by the AUDIT-C (AUDIT-C \> 3)
* Started using any other medication (prescribed or over-the-counter) for the purpose of improving sleep in the last 90 days (e.g., barbiturates, benzodiazepines, melatonin, natural supplements and herbs, antidepressants, antihistamines, etc.)
* Receiving treatment for substance use disorder within 90 days from the start of the study
* Evidence of moderate or severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Determined by the STOP-BANG questionnaire: STOP-BANG greater than 5 Determined by EMR PSG records: moderate or severe OSA \[apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)≥15\]
* Clinically significant suicidality as assessed by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
* Currently participating in other research studies for improving sleep
* Currently participating in other research studies for improving PTSD
* Currently in therapy for the primary purpose of improving sleep (e.g., CBT-I)
* Currently undergoing other treatment to improve sleep (e.g., acupuncture)
* History or diagnosis of any of the following sleep disorders: narcolepsy, shift-work disorder or circadian rhythm disorders
* Prone to problems with venipuncture including fainting, hematoma, and infection
* Moderate and high nicotine dependence based on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (\> 4 on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence) High caffeine dependence based on the Caffeine Dependence Questionnaire (\> 30 on the Caffeine Dependence Questionnaire)
* Currently experiencing a neurological disorder (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's, MS, etc.)
* Exclusion for optional MRI visit:
Metal in body that is ferromagnetic / incompatible with MRI or other safety issues and indicated by screen Previous adverse reactions to sleep deprivation Illicit drug use as determined by participant self-report Alcohol in system at time of MRI overnight as determined participant self report Nicotine use in the last 3 months
For poor sleep group:
TBI History of epilepsy or suspected seizure disorder.
18 Years
62 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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University of Minnesota
OTHER
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
FED
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
OTHER
The Geneva Foundation
OTHER
Applied Physics Laboratory
UNKNOWN
National Intrepid Center of Excellence
FED
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
FED
Responsible Party
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Locations
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Walter Reed National Military Medical Center/Uniformed Services University
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Kent CDR Werner, MD/Ph.D.
Role: primary
Nicholas Dr. Davenport, Ph.D.
Role: primary
References
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Other Identifiers
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USUHS.2024-136
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id