Phase-locked auditory pulse stimulation at home enhancing slow sleep waves: A pilot real-world study

Background Deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep (SWS), is essential for maintaining good health and is characterized by electroencephalographic (EEG) slow-wave activity (SWA). The use of phase-locked auditory stimulation (PLAS) to enhance SWA has emerged as a promising approach. However, the effectiveness of home-based PLAS has not yet been fully established. Method We used a newly developed wearable EEG device, called LANMAO, to record sleeping EEG signals and synchronize acoustic tones with SWA. We employed a within-subject design to investigate whether acoustic stimulation could increase SWA in a home setting using six subjects (mean age: 29±4.2 years, 3 males). Specifically, we applied acoustic stimulation (STIM) on odd-numbered slow waves and no stimulation (SHAM) on even-numbered slow waves. Results The PLAS significantly enhanced SWA, theta, alpha, fast spindle and slow spindle activity on STIM condition compare to SHAM condition across all subjects in home setting. Conclusion These results indicated that the capacity of PLAS, based on LANMAO device, could enhance the SWA in home setting. Our findings shed lights on the wide application of home-based deep sleep intervention. ### Competing Interest Statement This study was supported by Shanghai Quanlan Technology team. ### Clinical Trial ChiCTR2000036731 ### Funding Statement This study received funding from Shanghai Hospital Deveopment Center(SHDC2020CR3066B) ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University（Approval No.: SK2020-005） I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data supporting the findings and computer code of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.