Timed acoustic stimulation of sleep in RRMS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility Study of Timed Acoustic Stimulation to Improve Efficiency and Restorative Quality of Sleep in People with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
IRAS ID
286710
Contact name
Claire Rice
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN11468655
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects approximately 110,000 people in the UK and almost 2.5 million worldwide. Immune system abnormalities cause damage to nerves in the brain and spinal cord and their protective covering (or ‘insulator’) known as myelin. A range of disabilities may result but particularly common and difficult symptoms include fatigue, depression, restricted mobility and cognitive impairments; these occur in up to 95% people with MS with negative impact on quality of life and employment.
Over 70% people with MS report sleep problems and these have been associated with both MS-related symptoms and harmful effects on myelin in disease models. Currently, sleep abnormalities are poorly treated; available medications are of limited effectiveness and side effects of treatment may exacerbate symptoms due to increased daytime sleepiness and confusion.
In healthy people and those with mild cognitive impairment, improvements in sleep quality, feelings of refreshment and memory have been demonstrated with delivery of soft sounds timed to occur during particular stages of sleep and co-ordinated with brain wave activity. This is known as ‘timed acoustic stimulation of sleep’ (TAS). Recently, Philips have developed a headband (SmartSleep®) which can be worn comfortably at night in people's own home, but which also records brain wave activity and delivers sounds at the appropriate time during sleep.
We will examine whether providing the SmartSleep® device for people to wear at home, enhances sleep quality for people with MS with the aim of reducing common MS symptoms such as fatigue and memory problems and improving quality of life. We will ask participants to wear the device for a total of 6 weeks although TAS will occur only half the time.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
21/WS/0112
Date of REC Opinion
26 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion