Power Nap With TES-TI for Non-Restorative Sleep

This study is exploring if a brain stimulation device called Transcranial Electrical Stimulation with Temporal Interference (TES-TI) can improve sleep and reduce mental tiredness during naps. Researchers want to see if TES-TI can increase "slow waves" in the brain, which are important for restorative sleep. You might be able to join if you are an adult between 18 and 75 years old, speak English, are a US citizen, and experience non-restorative sleep (meaning you don't feel rested after sleeping). The study will measure changes in your slow waves, sleep quality, and mood over one month to see if the intervention is successful. The current recruitment status is unclear, but the study plans to enroll 25 participants.

Study design: This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 25 participants. The phase of the study is not specified.
What's involved: You would attend 2 study visits, each lasting up to 4-5 hours. During these visits, you will wear a high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) cap and take a nap.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Your sleep quality and mood will be measured at Baseline and again at 1 month. Changes in slow waves will also be measured from Baseline to 1 month.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

Power Nap With TES-TI

Recruiting

NAAges 18–75InterventionalBasic science

University of Wisconsin, Madison

~25 participants

Updated 2026-08-10 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Transcranial electrical stimulation with Temporal Interference (TES-TI)

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Change in slow waves

Measured over Baseline to 1 month

+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Non-restorative Sleep

Healthy Volunteer

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Wisconsin1

Study leadership

Guilio Tononi, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Wisconsin, Madison

Who to contact

PowerNap Study Team

[email protected]

608-263-4313

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults aged 18-75 of any gender identity

Self-reported non-restorative sleep, as measured by a REST-Q score

English-speaking (able to provide consent and complete questionnaires)

Capable of taking daytime naps

US Citizen

Exclusion

Any current or history of neurological disorders or acquired neurological disease (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury), including intracranial lesions

History of inpatient psychiatric hospitalization

History of head trauma resulting in prolonged loss of consciousness; or a history of \>3 grade I concussions

Current history of poorly controlled headaches including intractable or poorly controlled migraines

History of seizures, diagnosis of epilepsy, history of abnormal (epileptiform) EEG, or family history of treatment resistant epilepsy except for a single seizure of benign etiology (e.g. febrile seizures) in the judgment of a board-certified neurologist

Possible pregnancy or plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months

Any metal in the head

Any medical devices or implants (i.e. cardiac pacemaker, medication infusion pump, cochlear implant, vagal nerve stimulator)

Dental implants

Permanent retainers

Any hair braid, dreadlocks, hair pieces, or extensions which cannot be taken out before the study sessions

Any head coverings or headdress that participant feels uncomfortable removing for the purposes of study sessions

Any medication that may alter seizure threshold taken during the study i.e., ADHD stimulants (Adderall, amphetamine); Tricyclic/atypical antidepressants (amitriptyline, doxepine, imipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline, bupropion); Antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, clozapine), Bronchodilators (theophylline, aminophylline); Antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, imipenem, penicillin, cephalosporins, metronidazole, isoniazid); Antivirals (valacyclovir, ritonavir); OTC antihistamines (diphenhydramine, Benadryl)

Claustrophobia (a fear of small or closed places)

Back problems that would prevent lying flat for up to two hours

Regular night-shift work (second or third shift)

What this trial measures

Change in slow wavesBaseline to 1 month
Researchers will do a power analysis on high density EEG data for slow wave frequency (3-5Hz) and see if there is increase in this frequency range during/post stimulation.
Change in sleep quality and moodBaseline to 1 month
Sleep quality and mood will be assessed using the Restorative Sleep Questionnaire (REST-Q), a 9-item questionnaire assessing aspects of restorative sleep. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale, scores range from 9-45. A higher score indicates a more restorative sleep.

Trialytics