Night-shift naps and their effects on blood pressure and performance
Effects of Operational Naps on Blood Pressure and Performance Among Night Shift Workers
This project tests different nap lengths during night shifts to see if they restore normal nighttime blood pressure patterns and improve alertness for public safety and healthcare night shift workers.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 130 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT07217769 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The trial uses a Phase II, within-subject, crossover, incomplete-block randomized design to compare five overnight on-duty nap conditions: no nap, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Each participant experiences multiple nap conditions across simulated night shifts while continuous blood pressure monitoring and psychomotor performance tests are collected. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants who achieve a clinically meaningful (≥10%) nighttime blood pressure dip during nap opportunities, and the secondary outcome is psychomotor performance deficits measured ≥10 minutes after waking. Goal enrollment is about 130 certified public safety and healthcare night shift workers recruited at the University of Pittsburgh.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are non-pregnant adults (over 18) who are active, certified public safety or healthcare night shift workers living within reasonable driving distance of Western Pennsylvania and not taking cardiovascular medications.
Not a fit: People with diagnosed cardiovascular disease, those taking cardiovascular medications, or those with diagnosed or severe undiagnosed sleep disorders (for example severe sleep apnea) are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could identify the nap length that best restores healthy nighttime blood pressure dipping while minimizing post-nap performance lapses, potentially lowering long-term cardiovascular risk for night shift workers.
How similar studies have performed: Prior smaller studies have shown that brief on-duty naps can temporarily restore normal blood pressure dipping and improve alertness, but the optimal nap duration has not been tested in a randomized crossover design.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * non-pregnant adults (\>18 years of age) * certified public safety/healthcare shift worker * is an active shift worker * resides within the Western Pennsylvania region within reasonable driving distance Exclusion Criteria: * current use of medication for cardiovascular disease (e.g., hypertension) * prior or current diagnosis of sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, rheumatologic disease requiring prescription medication, and cancer requiring treatment in past 2 years * undiagnosed severe sleep apnea (Apnea-Hypopnea Index \>30) based on at-home test * Abstains from caffeine or reports adverse effects from caffeine use
Where this trial is running
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- University of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Daniel Patterson — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Daniel Patterson, PhD
- Email: pdp3@pitt.edu
- Phone: 412-647-3078
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.