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Testing gentle sounds during sleep

Participants use a sensor headband and headphones while researchers investigate whether enhancing deep sleep affects changes linked to Parkinson’s risk or early Parkinson’s.

Testing a treatment or activity · Study reference: NCT07355842

Plain-language introduction written with AI from the registry; not independently checked by a clinician. Read the original details below ↓

This registry record was last updated over six months ago, or its update date is missing. Recruitment may have changed. Confirm with the team before making plans.

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Looking for volunteers

Start (reported actual date)
2026-01-15
Main measurements finished (planned)
2029-06-30
Study finished (planned)
2029-06-30

Planned dates can move. A study finishing does not tell us when a paper will be published.

No results summary has been confirmed in the registry records we imported. See connected papers below; we keep checking after recruitment ends.

Changes we have recorded
  • 2026-10-11 — recruiting

These are dates we observed a change, not necessarily the dates it happened.

Papers connected to this study

No connected paper has been found yet. The tracker checks the growing library for study identifiers and registry-linked publications.

Who can join?

Age range not listed · Does not accept healthy volunteers

These are starting points, not the full rules. The research team can tell you whether the study is right for your situation.

Read all the rules for taking part

Sex eligibility reported by registry: all

Inclusion Criteria: * Signed informed consent * Diagnosis of polysomnography-confirmed isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD) based on international criteria (ICSD-3), combined with EITHER * UPDRS III without action tremor ≥ 4 AND abnormal olfaction, OR * diagnosis of PD along international criteria for less than 2 years Further inclusion criteria are: * no dopaminergic treatment and no foreseen start of such treatment during duration of the study * ability to apply the intervention, alone or with help of a co-habitant, stable living situation * sufficient language skills in German, French or Italian * negative pregnancy test for women of child-bearing potential Exclusion Criteria: * Suspected or known non-compliance to other therapies * current or recent participation in another clinical trial * extended absences * hearing impairment that prevents hearing the tones for auditory stimulation * non-responder to auditory stimulation during screening * clinically significant concomitant disease or unstable condition * Apnea-Hypopnea-Index (AHI) \> 15/h or under Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment * Restless Legs Syndrome * meeting criteria for diagnosis of atypical Parkinson syndrome * diagnosis of Dementia or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) \< 24 * severe Depression or other psychiatric disorder * regular use of benzodiazepines and other central nervous system depressant substances * current or recent history within the last year of substance abuse disorders or chronic alcohol consumption * recent or planned major surgery * history of allergies and hypersensitivity relevant for electrode application or medication allergies * additional exclusion criteria for PET imaging * any criterion that may pose the participant at risk * breastfeeding, intention to become pregnant, or unwillingness to use medically reliable contraception for women of child-bearing potential
Full study name & original research details

Official study title

Role of Slow Waves in the Progression of Neurodegeneration in Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Original description

This study tests whether enhancing deep sleep with gentle sounds at night can slow progression in people with iRBD or early Parkinson's disease. Participants wear a sensor headband and headphones for 18 months. Four assessments including mobility, memory, imaging (PET/MRI), lumbar puncture, and blood tests are assessed.

Further description from the registry

Many people with REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) develop Parkinson's disease or similar conditions over the years. To date, there is no effective method to prevent this transition. Animal experiments and observational studies in patients and older adults indicate that deeper sleep is associated with a slower progression of brain changes. In this study, we are now investigating whether enhancement of deep sleep using sounds during sleep can influence the progressive brain changes in iRBD or early Parkinson's disease. Participants wear a headband with sensors and headphones for 18 months, which plays gentle sounds during sleep to enhance deep sleep. In addition, four examinations are carried out, including tests of mobility, memory, imaging (PET/MRI), a lumbar puncture, and blood sampling. Two of the examinations will take place at the University Hospital of Zurich, and two more can also be carried out at home if desired. The aim is to investigate whether enhancement of deep sleep can help slow the progression of iRBD or early-stage Parkinson's disease. The study is double-blind and controlled, which means that neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the active treatment.

Conditions reported: Parkinson Disease; REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD)

Registry records for this study

Records are joined using registration identifiers. Titles alone do not establish that two studies are the same.

Study type
Interventional
Interventions
Tosoo Axora; Tosoo Axora
Phases
NA
Sponsor
University of Zurich
Start date reported by registry
2026-01-15 (actual)

Registry updated: 2026-02-17 · Status last verified by the registry submitter: 2026-02

Registry records retrieved 2026-10-13 (UTC). Individual records may have older updates. Recruitment and eligibility must be confirmed with the study team.

Contact the research team

Public study contacts supplied to the registry. Ask whether recruitment is still open and what participation involves.

Jana Bünzli, MSc · +41 44 255 10 43 · jana.buenzli@usz.ch

Marta Menéndez, Dr. phil. · +41 43 253 69 54 · marta.menendezgranda@usz.ch

Study locations

Site status can differ from overall study status. “Status not reported” means local availability needs confirmation. Remote participation and travel arrangements must be checked with the team.

University Hospital Zurich, Neurology Department

Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland

Recruiting

Angelina Maric, Dr. phil. · +41 255 86 15 · angelina.maric@usz.ch

Jana Bünzli, MSc · +41 44 255 10 43 · jana.buenzli@usz.ch

Facility not reported

Switzerland

Status not reported

The original descriptions and participation rules come from the registry. Participation is voluntary and does not guarantee benefit.