Night-shift naps and their effects on blood pressure and performance
Official title: Effects of Operational Naps on Blood Pressure and Performance Among Night Shift Workers
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT07217769 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 130 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 7, 2026 |
| Main results expected | August 31, 2030 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | June 3, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07217769 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.