Engineers at the University of Texas at Austin in the United States have developed a wearable device named NEUSLeeP that helps users reach REM sleep 43 minutes faster without medication or surgery. In a study involving 28 participants, users reached REM sleep earlier than normal and stayed in that stage for about 16 minutes longer.
The device combines mild ultrasound stimulation with electrodes that measure brain activity on a single structure worn on the skin. This design allows researchers to reach brain regions linked to REM sleep while tracking the brain's response to stimulation in real time.
Researchers said the skin-worn system could offer new opportunities for sleep research. They added that it could also help monitor and treat sleep disorders in patients' homes.
Stress Management and Clinical Applications
The impact of NEUSLeeP extends beyond faster sleep transitions. In healthy participants, ultrasound stimulation increased heart rate variability, a value used to evaluate how the body responds to stress. Brain scans also showed changes in brain circuits associated with emotions.
Researchers said REM sleep plays a key role in emotional processing and stress management, acting as a stage where the brain processes emotions and adapts to stressful situations alongside dreaming. They noted that increasing time spent in REM sleep could help individuals cope with stress and support overall well-being.
Disruptions in REM sleep are linked to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The team has filed a patent application for NEUSLeeP and plans larger clinical trials to test its effectiveness in people with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and chronic insomnia.
