Nap duration during night shifts and blood pressure health
Official title: Effects of operational naps on blood pressure and performance among night shift workers
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11508492 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Phase II study will test how long night shift naps should be to restore normal blood pressure patterns and maintain safe performance, while considering caffeine use, for night workers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $769,825 |
| NIH project number | 4R33HL172984-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11508492 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Night shift workers, including healthcare workers and public safety personnel, who experience sleep disruption.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not work night shifts or do not experience sleep-related BP changes may not benefit.
What this research studies
Night shift workers often have disrupted blood pressure dipping, which can raise cardiovascular risk. This study tests different nap lengths during night shifts to see which duration best restores normal BP dipping and minimizes lapses in psychomotor performance, all while tracking caffeine use. The research uses a crossover design to compare nap doses within the same participants, aiming to identify a safe and effective nap window. Results could guide workplace policies for healthcare workers and public safety personnel who rotate through night shifts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better nap guidelines that support heart health and safer performance for night workers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous data suggest short naps can impact BP and performance, but optimal duration in night workers needs confirmation in a controlled study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patterson, Paul D — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Patterson, Paul D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Actions to Decrease Disparities in Blood Pressure Control for Blacks
Aiming to help Black patients manage high blood pressure by using nurses, community health workers, and home monitoring in real-world clinics.
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
-
Music-powered tools to boost blood pressure and stroke prevention for Nigerian youth and their older caregivers
This project uses popular music to help Nigerian youths and their older family members start and stick to blood pressure and stroke prevention habits.
-
Non-invasive, continuous blood pressure monitoring for prenatal maternal health
A wearable device from PyrAmes uses comfortable, non-invasive sensors and smart software to constantly monitor a pregnant person’s blood pressure and heart health so doctors can protect both mom and baby.
-
Smartphone app helps pregnant women in Ghana monitor blood pressure at home
A smartphone app is being customized for pregnant women in Ghana to support home blood pressure monitoring and improve safety during pregnancy.
-
Remote blood pressure monitoring with pharmacist-led telehealth for people living with HIV
A plan to remotely track blood pressure and support HIV patients with pharmacist-led telehealth and reminders to bring BP under control.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.