US university develops ultrasound patch to improve deep sleep without drugs or surgery

Texas: Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a wearable ultrasound patch that could help improve sleep quality and enable people to enter the REM sleep stage earlier, without the need for medication or surgery.

The device, known as “NEUSLeeP,” uses gentle ultrasound waves to stimulate deeper regions of the brain involved in regulating sleep. Electrodes integrated into the patch also allow researchers to monitor brain activity during sleep.

According to a study published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, 28 participants were evaluated during the research. The findings showed that participants using the ultrasound patch entered REM sleep an average of 43 minutes earlier, while the duration of their REM sleep increased by approximately 16 minutes.

Researchers also observed positive changes in heart-rate responses and activity in brain regions associated with emotional processing. The findings suggest that improving specific stages of sleep could potentially help in managing stress and certain emotional conditions.

Experts say REM sleep plays an important role in memory, learning and emotional regulation, while inadequate REM sleep has been associated with conditions including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

However, researchers caution that the technology remains experimental and should not yet be considered an established medical treatment. Larger and longer-term clinical trials will be required to determine its effectiveness, safety and potential applications for different sleep disorders.

Scientists hope that further development of NEUSLeeP and similar technologies could eventually provide a minimally invasive alternative for people suffering from chronic insomnia and other sleep-related conditions.