Personalized caffeine dosing for better performance during sleep deprivation

A Head-to-Head Comparison of the 2B-Alert Caffeine Optimization Algorithm Versus Standard Caffeine Dosing on Performance During Sleep Deprivation (2B-2)

This study is testing if a personalized caffeine plan can help people perform better and feel less tired after not getting enough sleep.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 180 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 39 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Arizona (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Tucson, Arizona and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05588934 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial compares personalized caffeine dosing using the 2B-Alert algorithm against standard caffeine recommendations to enhance performance during sleep deprivation. Participants will undergo a 13-day at-home phase with activity and sleep monitoring, followed by a 4-day in-lab assessment. The study aims to evaluate improvements in vigilance, cognitive function, and recovery sleep quality, as well as the reduction of side effects associated with sleep deprivation. The trial will assess the effectiveness of personalized caffeine recommendations in mitigating both physical and emotional impacts of sleep loss.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18-39 who typically sleep between 6-9 hours per night.

Not a fit: Patients with sleep disorders or those who do not meet the sleep duration criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective caffeine dosing strategies that enhance cognitive performance and recovery in individuals experiencing sleep deprivation.

How similar studies have performed: While personalized caffeine dosing is a relatively novel approach, similar studies have shown promise in optimizing performance and minimizing side effects in sleep-deprived individuals.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18-39 years of age
* Must demonstrate adequate comprehension of the protocol by achieving a score of at least 80% correct on a short multiple-choice quiz

Exclusion Criteria:

* Self-reported habitual nightly sleep amounts outside the target range of approximately 6-9 hours (i.e., less than 6 hours per night or more than 9 hours per night, on average)
* Self-reported nighttime bedtimes earlier than approximately 2100 hours on average during weeknights (Sunday through Thursday)
* Self-reported morning wake-up times later than approximately 0900 on average during weekdays (Monday through Friday)
* Self-reported habitual napping (\> 3 times per week)
* Self-reported symptoms suggestive of a sleep disorder (to include but not limited to sleep disordered breathing/sleep apnea, narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, restless leg syndrome, parasomnias, rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder, etc.)
* History of a sleep disorder (to include all of the above)
* Any use of prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids during the 6-month period prior to screening indicative of a potential sleep disorder as determined by the examining study physician
* History of neurologic disorder (e.g., seizure disorder, amnesia for any reason, hydrocephalus, multiple sclerosis)
* Self-reported caffeine use \> 400 mg per day on average
* Score of 14 or above on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
* Score of 41 or above on the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T)
* Score below 31 or above 69 on the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire
* Self-reported regular nicotine use (\> 1 cigarette or equivalent per week) within the last 1 year) or positive nicotine/cotinine result during screening visit
* Self-reported heavy alcohol use (≥14 drinks per week or as determined by the examining study physician) or positive saliva alcohol result during screening visit
* History of cardiovascular disease (to include but not limited to arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, history of sudden cardiac death or myocardial infarction)
* Underlying acute or chronic pulmonary disease requiring daily inhaler use
* Kidney disease or kidney abnormalities
* Liver disease or liver abnormalities
* Self-reported history of psychiatric disorder requiring hospitalization or use of psychiatric medication for any length of time
* Self-reported use of products or drugs that cannot be safely discontinued during in-laboratory phases (determined on a case-by-case basis by the examining study physician)
* Self-reported current use of other illicit drugs (to include but not limited to benzodiazepines, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana) or positive urine drug screen
* (Females only) positive urine pregnancy result
* (Females only) self-reported or suspected current breast-feeding or collecting breast milk
* Resting blood pressure above 140/90 or resting pulse \> 110 beats per minute (if a physician performs a repeat measurement, \~20 minutes after original measure, and it is within range, volunteer will not be excluded)
* BMI ≥ 30 (Obese Class I or greater)
* Clinically significant values (as determined by the reviewing study physician) for any hematology or chemistry parameter
* Inability to read and sign consent
* (Military only) failure to obtain required approved official leave to participate
* Failure to cooperate with requirements of the study, e.g. failure to complete 80% of Smart-Psychomotor Vigilance Tests (PVTs) during Phase 1 (Days 2-13)

Where this trial is running

Tucson, Arizona and 1 other locations

• University of Arizona — Tucson, Arizona, United States (RECRUITING)
• University of Arizona Psychiatry Department — Tucson, Arizona, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: William D Killgore, Ph.D.

Conditions: Sleep Deprivation, Caffeine, SLEEP, CAFFEINE