Clinical Research Directory

TESTING AN MTM THEORY-BASED INTERVENTION ON REDUCING DROWSY DRIVING BEHAVIOR, "STAY AWAKE, STAY ALIVE ©," AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

The goal of this randomized controlled educational study is to learn whether a structured, theory-based program can help reduce drowsy driving among college students (18 years and older) in Nevada. Drowsy driving means driving when you are very sleepy, tired, or struggling to stay alert. It is a serious safety problem because it can slow reaction time, reduce attention, and increase the risk of crashes, injuries, and even deaths. Many college students have irregular sleep schedules due to classes, jobs, late-night studying, and social activities, which can increase tiredness and increase the likelihood of drowsy driving. Research question 1. Is there a statistically and practically significant difference in the mean score of drowsy driving behavior in the experimental group (Multi-Theory Model (MTM)-based intervention, Stay Awake, Stay Alive©) and the comparison group (standard AAA (American Automobile Association)program-based intervention) from pre-intervention to post-intervention to two-week follow-up 2. Is there a statistically and practically significant difference in the mean score (pre-intervention to post-intervention to two-week follow-up) for the intent to initiate reducing drowsy driving between the experimental (MTM-based intervention, Stay Awake, Stay Alive©) and comparison (standard AAA program-based intervention) groups? 3. Is there a statistically and practically significant difference in the mean score (pre-intervention to post-intervention to two-week follow-up) for the intent to sustain the reduction of drowsy driving between the experimental (MTM-based intervention, Stay Awake, Stay Alive©) and comparison (standard AAA program-based intervention) groups? Researchers will compare two groups to see which approach leads to greater improvement: Group 1: MTM-based "Stay Awake, Stay Alive" program (interactive weekly sessions designed using behavior change theory). Group 2: Standard drowsy driving education program, AAA (American Automobile Association) based education. By comparing these groups, researchers can see whether the MTM-based program provides added benefit beyond standard education alone. Both groups receive the same overall time and attention, so differences in results can be linked more clearly to the program's strategies rather than to simply receiving education. Participants will: * Complete a short screening to confirm eligibility (for example, being 18+ and having recent experiences of drowsy driving) * Provide informed consent before any study activities begin * Be randomly assigned to one of the two programs * Attend four weekly sessions (about 75 minutes each) over 4 weeks, with a short break and refreshments during sessions * Complete surveys at three time points: Baseline (before the program begins), Post-intervention (after week 4), and Follow-up (after two weeks) * Answer questions about their drowsy driving behavior and related influences, such as fatigue triggers, barriers to sleep, confidence to avoid driving when sleepy, and supports that make safe choices easier. The study will measure changes in drowsy driving behavior and in MTM-related factors that may explain why these changes occur. For example, the MTM-based program helps students think about the benefits of avoiding drowsy driving (and the risks of continuing it), build behavioral confidence to choose safer options, and identify practical environmental supports (such as a safe place to rest, asking a friend for a ride, using ride-share or public transportation, or adjusting trip timing). It also supports emotional transformation (turning concern into motivation), practice for change (setting goals and tracking progress), and building a supportive social environment (friends and family encouraging safer choices). During the sessions, participants may learn and practice real-world skills such as recognizing early warning signs of sleepiness (heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, drifting lanes, missing exits), using short rest breaks and safe "pull-over" plans, managing schedules to reduce late-night driving, and creating a personal action plan for high-risk situations (after work shifts, long study nights, or long-distance travel). The follow-up survey helps researchers see whether any improvements continue beyond the end of the 4-week program. At the end of the study, results will help colleges, public health professionals, and road safety programs understand what types of education are most effective for preventing drowsy driving in young adults. If the MTM-based program is effective, it could be adapted and used more widely to improve student safety and reduce injuries related to drowsy driving. Participants who complete the final follow-up survey will receive an incentive.

Mind After Midnight

This study examines whether wakefulness during the biological night (2:00-4:00 AM) is associated with increased negative mood, impaired decision-making, and suicidal thoughts. Adults with a history of suicidal ideation in the past six months will complete laboratory and home-based assessments under varying levels of sleep pressure. Participants will be evaluated during late-night wakefulness and under conditions of both higher and lower sleep pressure. The goal of the study is to better understand the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may contribute to elevated suicide risk during nocturnal wakefulness.

Resilience to Sleep Deprivation and Changes in Sleep Architecture in Shoonya Meditators

This study aims to investigate the effect of a 15-minute meditation practice on sleep architecture and high-frequency Heart Rate Variability (HF-HRV), as well as cognitive performance after both a well-rested and sleep-deprived night.

Reestablishing Sleep and Circadian Alignment in Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Patients Via a Mechanistic RCT of an Sleep Chronobundle

More than 5 million patients are admitted to the intensive care unit every year in the United States; most of these patients experience profound sleep and circadian disruption. Promotion of circadian alignment (i.e., alignment of the body's clocks) would make it possible to strategically schedule behaviors such as sleep and eating at normal body clock times, which is predicted to improve sleep quality and metabolic function. This project will test the ability of a sleep chronobundle (i.e., sleep promotion and circadian treatment bundle) to normalize circadian alignment and subsequently test if this realignment also improves sleep and metabolism.

PBM Effects on Health and Well-being in Humans

The goal of this clinical study is to assess the effects of different photobiomodulation (PBM) conditions in men and women between 25 and 65 years old with daytime sleepiness/drowsiness and /or mild mood complaints but be otherwise healthy. The main question it aims to answer are: 1. Does PBM significantly affect health and well-being? 2. Are PBM effects wavelength dependent? 3. Are PBM effects pulse dependent? 4. Are the eyes needed to assert an PBM effect or is exposure only to the skin sufficient? 5. What are the cellular, metabolic pathways underlying the systemic effects of PBM. Participants will have to: 1. Exposed themselves 5 times per week during 2 weeks to the PBM stimuli between 9:30 and 12:30. 2. A week before the baseline measurement, participants will have to start wearing a Fitbit Versa 3, and will have to continuously wear until the end of the study. 3. In the afternoon of the baseline day as well as in the afternoons after 5 and 10 PBM sessions (week 1 and week 2, respectively), participants will have to go to the lab for blood withdraw. 4. In the evening of the baseline day as well as in the evenings after 5 and 10 PBM sessions (week 1 and week 2, respectively), participants will have to collect saliva samples as well as to complete questionnaires. It will be a double-blind placebo-controlled field study with a between subject comparison.

Biomarkers of Increased Free Living Sleep Time

This protocol will increase sleep duration in participants who maintain less than 6 hours sleep per night, to target the recommended 7 hours of sleep per night. The focus of this study is determine how increasing nightly sleep duration in these individuals who maintain less than 6 hours sleep per night changes their plasma metabolome and insulin sensitivity. The primary outcome will examine changes in branched-chain amino acids and the secondary outcome will examine changes in insulin sensitivity. The investigators will also determine if changes in plasma metabolites can be used as a biomarker to discriminate between adequate versus insufficient sleep.

Effects of Partial Sleep Deprivation on Cardiac Output During Cycling

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if attenuations in cardiac output drive the blunted blood pressure response during cycling exercise following a night of partial sleep deprivation in young healthy adults (%50 females). The secondary outcome is to assess sex differences. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do reductions in plasma volume drive reductions in cardiac output and therefore blood pressure during exercise following a night of partial sleep deprivation? * Do sex differences exist? Participants will: * Visit the lab after a night of normal sleep and a night of partial sleep deprivation. * Keep a daily diary of their sleep and food/beverage intake. * Perform maximal and submaximal exercise on a cycle ergometer.

The Effect of Sleep Loss on Emotion Regulation

The study is designed to investigate the impact of three nights of sleep restricted to 4 hours per night, on the processing and regulation of emotional information compared to Insomnia Disorder and control. The investigators will address and attempt to answer two questions. (i) How do three nights of reduced sleep or a diagnosis of Insomnia Disorder affect the processing and regulation of emotional information compared to typical, undisturbed sleep? (ii) What overlapping and distinct neural mechanisms are engaged and associated with behavioral effects when attempting to process and regulate emotions in a sleep restricted state or with a clinical diagnosis of Insomnia Disorder? This study will investigate sleep's role in emotion processing and regulation. The findings will help further understanding of the role of sleep in healthy emotional functioning.

The Acute Effects of Onnit Alpha Brain on Cognition and Mood States

The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study is to evaluate the efficacy of the acute effects of an investigational supplement (Alpha Brain or Alpha Brain 2.0) on improving cognitive performance, vigilance, and subjective mood in healthy adults compared to placebo during a period of acute sleep deprivation under conditions of controlled sleep deprivation.

Cardiovascular Risk and Circadian Misalignment in Short Sleepers - Role of Extended Eating Period

Short sleep duration confers high cardiovascular and metabolic risk, but lifestyle factors and molecular mechanisms that contribute to increased blood pressure and poor glucose control during short sleep are not completely understood. Habitual short sleepers are constantly eating, the proposed studies will evaluate if this behavior contributes to heightened cardiovascular and metabolic risk. The study will evaluate if restricted eating duration (8 hours/day) could improve cardiovascular and metabolic health in habitual short sleepers.

Nighttime Synchrony of Your Nutrition and Circadian Health

Sleep is an important factor for overall health. This study will see how different light exposure patterns and food intake impact a person's metabolism (how the body breaks down food) when sleeping is reduced. Participants will attend 6 to 8 in-person visits to the study clinic, including three overnight stays. People will complete surveys and medical tests. The study will last about 4 to 6 months.

Effects of Non-Invasive Superficial Craniocervical Lymphatic Drainage (NSCLD) on Memory and Cognitive Function in Adults With Sleep Deprivation: A Proof-of-Concept Study

This Effects of Non-Invasive Superficial Craniocervical Lymphatic Drainage (NSCLD) on Memory and Cognitive Function in Adults with Sleep deprivation: A Proof-of-Concept Study aims to investigate the effects of Non-Invasive Superficial Craniocervical Lymphatic Drainage (NSCLD) on memory and cognitive function in adults experiencing sleep deprivation(SD). Given the known impact of SD on cognitive performance, this study seeks to explore whether NSCLD, as a non-invasive intervention, can mitigate the cognitive impairments associated with SD.

Neurobehavioral Changes Following Spaceflight Stressors

This study aims to investigate the impairing effects of known central nervous system (CNS) stressors in a controlled environment in order to predict and mitigate analogous risks in spaceflight. Up to 56 healthy individuals aged 25-60 will spend approx. 110 hours in a laboratory, where they will be exposed to 27 hours of sleep deprivation and will consume alcohol to reach a BAC of 0.08 on a separate day. They will perform cognitive and sensorimotor tasks and undergo MRIs and blood draws.

Effects of Acute Sleep Deprivation on Individuals With Different APOE Genotypes

This study aims to investigate the effects of 24-hour acute sleep deprivation on plasma Alzheimer's disease biomarkers and multi-omics in individuals with different APOE genotypes, to elucidate the potential role of acute sleep deprivation in AD risk.

Circadian Rhythms and Time Perception in Healthy Adults During Constant Wakefulness

This study examines how the internal body clock (circadian rhythms) influences the way healthy adults experience time, think, and feel when they stay awake for an extended period. Participants will spend about 36 hours in a controlled sleep laboratory while remaining awake the entire time. Light, posture, food intake, and activity are kept as constant as possible (a "constant routine") so that changes over time mainly reflect the body's internal clock and increasing sleepiness, rather than changes in the environment. Every two hours, participants complete a brief test battery that includes ratings of sleepiness and mood, a reaction-time task, and short tasks that assess how fast or slow time seems to pass, how accurately they can estimate time intervals, how they respond to simple decisions, and how they judge colours. Saliva samples are collected repeatedly to measure melatonin, a hormone that indicates circadian phase. By comparing changes in behaviour, perception, and melatonin levels across the 36-hour wake period, the study aims to identify when during the circadian cycle people are most vulnerable to distortions in time perception and reduced alertness. The findings may help improve scheduling of shift work and other activities that require sustained wakefulness.

Evaluation of Sex Differences in Glucose Metabolism in Response to Sleep Curtailment

The goal of this study is to learn whether insufficient sleep affects glucose metabolism differently in healthy men and women.

Immune Status After Being on Call for 24 Hrs

Sleep deprivation is a prevalent problem in modern societies. Sleep deprivation can cause hormonal changes, such as an increase in cortisol, as well as inflammation. Animal studies have shown an increase in inflammatory cytokine production following sleep deprivation. Additionally, humans experiencing sleep deprivation may experience a decrease in natural killer cells and lymphocytes. Physicians, particularly those in surgical specialties, are often subjected to sleep deprivation as part of their medical residency training. This study hypothesizes that after 24-hour shifts, there is an increase in inflammatory response and impairment of the immune response against unspecific activation. This proposal aims to provide insight into the impact of sleep deprivation on the immune system of surgery residents by characterizing the phenotype and function of immune cells, as well as their correlation with biometric data.

Relieving Pain and Improving Sleep: Evaluating Topical Pain Relief and Sleep Patches

This minimal risk, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study with functional measurements, will evaluate pain relief and sleep improvement after use of a drug- free, non-invasive patch (FREEDOM or REM Patch; The Super Patch Company Inc.); using validated scales and functional measurement tools along with crossover and control groups within the same subject group not receiving an 'active' patch.

Caffeine Optimization Versus Standard Caffeine Dosage (2B-2)

This clinical trial will be a comparison between personalized recommended caffeine dosing regimen versus the standard recommended caffeine dosing regimen for sustaining performance during sleep deprivation and minimizing side effects and subsequent sleep disruption. The questions this study aims to answer are: Whether the personalized caffeine recommendations improve vigilance, sleepiness, and cognition after total sleep deprivation, compared to standard recommendations; Whether the personalized caffeine recommendation better addresses the physical and emotional side effects of total sleep deprivation, compared to standard recommendations; And whether personalized caffeine recommendations aids in better recovery sleep after total sleep deprivation, compared to standard recommendations. Participants will be asked to: 1. Complete a 13-day at-home portion, wearing an actigraph watch to measure activity and sleep, and complete motor vigilance tests up to six times a day. 2. Complete a 4-day in-lab portion, where participants will have to complete one night of baseline sleep, undergo 62-hours of total sleep deprivation, and then complete one night of recovery sleep. 3. During the in-lab portion of the study, participants will be asked to complete more motor vigilance tests. Researchers will be comparing the personalized caffeine recommendation group against the standard caffeine recommendation to see if it is better at addressing each of the main questions.

Adult Sleep Health in the Rural Appalachia and Mississippi Delta Region and Its Relationships With Cardiometabolic Health Disparities.

Rural communities in the southern U.S. suffer a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality from cardiometabolic disease, with traditional risk factors explaining only a modest proportion of the excess burden of disease. There is considerable evidence that multiple dimensions of sleep health, including sleep duration, efficiency, timing, and regularity, as well as the disorders sleep apnea and insomnia, affect cardiometabolic disease risk. However, there is currently a lack of systematically developed sleep data in rural populations. The RURAL Sleep Study is an ancillary study to a recently initiated longitudinal epidemiology study in rural Appalachia and Mississippi Delta (the RURAL Study). The RURAL Sleep Study will add measures of sleep health to the complex individual, social and environmental factors and health outcome measures being evaluated by the RURAL Study, by incorporating minimally burdensome measures of multiple dimensions of sleep health. The results are expected to inform health care providers, public health officials, and the general public of the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of impaired sleep health in these rural communities, providing a critical basis for prevention, recognition, and management of sleep disorders and improvement of sleep and cardiometabolic health.

Shift Hours' Impact on Fatigue and Tracking of Eye Dynamics

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how night shift-induced sleep debt affects oculomotor patterns, attentional state, and diagnostic performance in emergency radiologists. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does sleep debt from a night shift alter oculomotor parameters, as eyes movements (speed and amplitude), fixation duration, pupil size? * Does a night shift impact radiologists' diagnostic accuracy, attentional state, and perceived fatigue? Researchers will compare radiologists after a night shift (sleep-deprived) with the same radiologists after a night of rest (control) to see if fatigue-related changes affect both visual exploration strategies and diagnostic performance. Participants will: * Perform a guided saccade task assessed by eye tracking (primary endpoint), * Read thoracic CT scans (with and without pulmonary embolism cases) to assess diagnostic performance and visual exploration patterns, * Undergo EEG recording to measure attentional state, * Complete self-report questionnaires on sleepiness and fatigue.

Menstrual-phase-dependent Differences in Response to Sleep Loss

This study is designed to assess how healthy premenopausal women respond to different patterns of sleep loss at different times in the menstrual cycle.

The Peripheral Blood Multi-Omics Study on Sleep Loss

Sleep plays a role in cognitive processes such as memory processing, attention processing, and overall cognitive function. In recent years, the bidirectional relationship between sleep loss and aging, as well as related neurodegenerative diseases, has garnered widespread attention. Sleep disorders are a typical clinical manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease and are closely related to the progression of these diseases. However, current research has yet to fully elucidate the physiological responses to sleep loss across different ages and cognitive levels, as well as the association and molecular basis between sleep loss, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. This study aims to comprehensively characterize the transcriptional and metabolic changes in peripheral blood under sleep loss in populations of different ages and cognitive levels using multi-omics approaches and to preliminarily explore the role of sleep loss in aging and AD.

Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Malnutrition in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) Patients

Study Design This study is a prospective cohort design conducted at Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University. It will involve systematic assessments of sleep quality, nutritional status, and associated clinical outcomes in adult ICU patients over a defined observation period. Sample Size: An estimated 150 adult patients (≥18 years) will be recruited from the ICU. Assessments 1. Sleep Quality Assessment: 1. Polysomnography (PSG): Sleep quality and duration will be quantified using PSG, which records brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing, as well as eye and leg movements. This will provide a comprehensive picture of sleep architecture and disturbances. 2. Sleep Quality Index: In addition to PSG data, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be administered to assess subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction. 2\. Nutritional Status Evaluation: 1. Nutritional Risk Screening Tools: The Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) and the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) will be applied to assess nutritional risk and identify malnutrition. 2. Biochemical Assessment: Blood samples will be collected to measure biochemical indicators such as serum albumin, transferrin, prealbumin, and other relevant markers of nutritional status. 3. Anthropometric Measurements: Body mass index (BMI) and muscle mass assessments will be conducted using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to quantify body composition. 3\. Physiological Monitoring: 1. Continuous monitoring of vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, will be performed. 2. Assessment of immune function through laboratory tests, including white blood cell count and levels of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein). 4\. Complications Tracking: 1\. Data on complications such as infections, delayed wound healing, and respiratory failure will be systematically recorded throughout the ICU stay. This study aims to elucidate the complex interplay between sleep deprivation and malnutrition in ICU patients. By identifying key associations and influencing factors, we hope to inform targeted clinical interventions that can improve patient care, recovery, and quality of life. The findings will serve as a foundation for future research exploring the intricate relationships between sleep and nutritional status in critical care settings.