Home › Idiopathic Hypersomnia › NCT07217769
Effects of Operational Naps on Blood Pressure and Performance Among Night Shift Workers
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility 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
About the study
Night shift work schedules disrupt sleep and have a negative impact on cardiovascular health. Most who work in public safety occupations and in healthcare work night shifts. These workers experience abnormal blood pressure during night shifts and are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Napping during night shifts can help to restore blood pressure patterns to a more normal pattern and may help to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. Naps may also have an impact on alertness and performance immediately upon waking. The overarching goal of this study is to determine which duration of a nap taken during simulated night shift work has the greatest impact blood pressure and post-nap performance.
Researchers will compare 5 nap durations to see which has the greatest impact on blood pressure patterns and post-nap psychomotor performance.
Researchers hypothesize that longer naps will lead to improved blood pressure outcomes and shorter naps will contribute to better performance after waking.
Findings will help employers and employees who work night shifts determine how best to incorporate brief naps during night shift work.
What is being tested
- No-nap (behavioral)
- 15-min nap (behavioral)
- 30-min nap (behavioral)
- 45-min nap (behavioral)
- 60-min nap (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh · Participants: 130 · Started: May 7, 2026
Contact the study team
- Daniel Patterson, PhD · Phone: 412-647-3078
- Maureen Morgan · Phone: 412-647-3078
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07217769
Locations in the U.S.
| Pennsylvania | University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.