Researchers led by the University of Texas at Austin have developed a soft wearable patch that improved REM sleep in real-world testing without medication or surgery, according to ScienceDaily.
The device, called NEUSLeeP, uses gentle ultrasound stimulation along with electrodes that track brain activity in real time. The system is designed to reach deep brain regions involved in sleep while also measuring how the brain responds.
In a study of 28 people published in Nature Communications, participants reached REM sleep about 43 minutes sooner on average and stayed in that stage about 16 minutes longer. The benefits were seen in both healthy sleepers and people with some sleep difficulties.
Researchers said users found the patch comfortable and safe, with minimal side effects reported. The team says larger studies are needed to confirm the results and to test whether the technology could help with PTSD, depression and chronic insomnia.
The researchers also said the patch may have uses in home sleep monitoring, neuroscience research and personalized sleep care. A patent application has been filed, and UT’s commercialization unit is helping move the technology toward the market.
